Imabe Iberica was founded in 1975 by brothersAgustín and Juan José Benítez and remains a
100% Spanish-owned company. Operating originally
from a 1500 m2 workshop in Arganda del Rey,
Madrid, and employing only eight people, the compa-
ny now boasts a workforce of more than 100, enjoys
an annual turnover of around Euro 20 million and
has representatives in more than 20 countries.
The company manufactures machinery used in the
processing of scrap metal, including baling presses,
drum crushers, can balers, mobile car balers, shear
balers, cable strippers and shears. Paper, cardboard
and plastics processing equipment is also manufac-
tured by the firm: the range includes guillotines,
shredders, vertical balers and continuous baling
presses.
Imabe Iberica’s first major sale was of a horizontal
paper baler to a company in Palencia, Spain, in 1976,
and this was followed a year later by the installation
of a metal scrap baler in Toledo, also in Spain. The
company’s first significant overseas sales came in
1979 with the installation of horizontal paper balers
in Mexico and Brazil, and a scrap baler in Mexico.
The following year, the Spanish firm established its
first overseas subsidiary – Imabe Iberica de Mexico
SA de CV, based in Mexico City.
Back in Spain, the 1980s brought further develop-
ment of the company’s manufacturing facilities.
In 1985, its production unit and offices were extend-
ed to 25 000 m2 while its workforce increased to 70.
Sales office in Moscow
In the 1990s, the company continued to expand its
activities both at home and overseas. Highlights
included the opening of a sales office in Moscow in
1993, followed two years later by the sale of the firm’s
first horizontal paper baler into Russia. In 1997, the
company installed its first overseas plant for com-
pacting municipal solid waste into high-density
bales. Introduced in Moscow, the so-called ‘Imabe
System’ was capable of processing 2000 tonnes of
material per day. Two years later, Imabe sold its first
solid waste press to a customer in Mexico.
The new Millennium began with Imabe Iberica
launching its first-ever shredder for processing
industrial residues and other materials. Available
Recycling International • December 2007 34
S U P P L I E R P R O F I L E
Imabe’s PC-800 tonne shear-baler.
Imabe Iberica’s new facilities in Madrid.
Imabe Iberica:
eyeing new markets
Over the last 30-plus years, Spanish machinery manufacturer
Imabe Iberica has developed a solid reputation within not only the
recycling industry but also several other material processing
sectors. At the same time, the company has gradually widened its
geographical presence to become a significant player in, notably,
Western and Eastern Europe as well as Latin America. And now, the
company confirms, it is eyeing up the possibility of launching its
product range in the US market.
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