ifm electronic, founded in 1969 in Essen and family-owned in its second generation, has grown into one of the world's largest manufacturers of sensors and controls for industrial automation, with more than 9,000 employees in around 95 countries. Its catalogue spans position sensors, process sensors for pressure, temperature, flow and level, networking components such as IO-Link masters, RFID systems and condition-monitoring sensors. Because these products appear in machines across the automotive, food and beverage, machine-tool and logistics industries, buyers frequently ask which of them matter most in practice. A practical way to survey the available range is a directory of industrial sensor suppliers, where products comparable to the IFM portfolio can be compared side by side.
This guide identifies the IFM product groups most widely used in automation, the specifications and standards that matter when comparing them, indicative price levels in GBP, and a six-step sourcing process. Six suppliers with verified B2B profiles are listed later in this article.
Short answer:
The most common IFM products in automation are inductive proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors, pressure, temperature, flow and level sensors, IO-Link masters, RFID systems and vibration-based condition-monitoring sensors. Most of them communicate over IO-Link, a vendor-neutral standard with more than 70 million installed nodes worldwide. They can be sourced directly from ifm, through authorised distributors, or from verified suppliers in B2B directories.
Key takeaways:
- Inductive proximity and photoelectric sensors are the highest-volume IFM product groups in factory automation.
- IO-Link connectivity is the common thread across the IFM portfolio and enables diagnostics and predictive maintenance.
- Buyers can source through direct sales, authorised distributors and verified B2B supplier profiles.
- Standards to check include BS EN IEC 60947-5-2, BS EN 60529 and IEC 61131-9, plus CE and UKCA marking.
Which IFM products are used most often in industrial automation?
Europe remains the world's most automation-intensive region. The EU averaged 231 industrial robots per 10,000 employees in 2024, and Germany leads Europe with 449 units, according to IFR World Robotics 2025 data. In the UK, the government has committed £4.3 billion to Advanced Manufacturing over five years, including £2.8 billion of R&D funding for automation, robotics and smart factories. Europe also accounted for more than 27 per cent of the global industrial sensors market in 2025, according to Grand View Research. Sensor demand follows this investment, and the IFM portfolio covers the field level of these systems.
The product groups most frequently encountered in automation projects are:
- Position sensors: inductive proximity sensors, the product family on which ifm built its reputation, plus capacitive, photoelectric and ultrasonic sensors.
- Process sensors: pressure transmitters, temperature sensors, flow sensors and level sensors for hydraulics, pneumatics and process plants.
- Networking and control: IO-Link masters that connect sensors to PLC networks, AS-i gateways and fieldbus modules.
- RFID and object recognition: read/write heads and code readers used for track-and-trace in production.
- Condition monitoring: vibration sensors and diagnostic electronics feeding predictive-maintenance software such as moneo.
IO-Link is the common denominator across these groups: more than 70 million IO-Link nodes were installed worldwide by 2025, and the IO-Link Community lists ifm among the leading suppliers of the technology. Company figures underline the scale of the installed base: ifm reports more than 9,000 employees and grants a five-year warranty on its catalogue products, which is a practical consideration in total cost of ownership.
| 449 | 231 | £2.8bn |
| industrial robots per 10,000 employees in Germany, 2024 | average robot density per 10,000 employees across the EU, 2024 | UK government R&D commitment to automation, robotics and smart factories |
| 70m+ | 9,000+ | 5 yrs |
| IO-Link nodes installed worldwide, 2025 | employees at ifm worldwide | standard warranty on ifm catalogue products |
Which technical specifications matter most when comparing sensors?
Because IFM products are sold alongside comparable sensors from other manufacturers, buyers benefit from comparing specifications line by line. When shortlisting, you can use the parameters below to filter proximity sensor suppliers and to check whether a device will survive the target application.
| Parameter | What to check |
| Sensing principle | Inductive, photoelectric, capacitive or ultrasonic, matched to the target material and distance |
| Sensing range | Inductive M12 and M18 bodies typically 2 to 15 mm; photoelectric sensors from millimetres to tens of metres |
| Output | PNP or NPN switching outputs, or analogue 4-20 mA and 0-10 V signals |
| IO-Link | IEC 61131-9 interface for remote parameterisation, diagnostics and device identification |
| Protection rating | IP65 to IP69K depending on housing, tested to BS EN 60529 |
| Operating temperature | Typically -25 °C to +80 °C; high-temperature versions available |
| Process connection | G1/4, G1/2 or M12 threads, flange or hygienic connections for pressure and flow sensors |
| Housing material | Stainless steel, PBT or PA housings with PTFE or EPDM seals |
| Approvals | CE marking, UKCA where applicable, UL or ATEX/IECEx versions for hazardous areas |
| Warranty | Five years on ifm catalogue products |
Where can you find verified suppliers of IFM products online?
IFM products reach the market through direct sales subsidiaries and a network of distribution partners, so buyers can purchase from the manufacturer or from specialist sensor distributors. Independent suppliers with overlapping ranges, including suppliers of pressure sensors, compete directly, which keeps multi-vendor sourcing viable for standard applications. The six suppliers below were verified on their current B2B profiles in October 2026, and all of them sell sensors directly relevant to automation tasks.
| Supplier | Location | Established | Size | Specialization |
| TURCK GmbH | Mülheim, Germany | 1965 | 1,000+ | Sensor, fieldbus and RFID technology with a broad IO-Link portfolio |
| JUMO GmbH & Co. KG | Fulda, Germany | 1948 | 1,000+ | Temperature, pressure, level and flow sensors from sensor to cloud |
| KELLER Pressure AG | Winterthur, Switzerland | 1974 | 200-499 | Isolated pressure sensors and transmitters from 5 mbar to 2,000 bar |
| Innovative Sensor Technology IST AG | Ebnat-Kappel, Switzerland | 1991 | 200-499 | Thin-film RTD temperature, thermal mass-flow and humidity sensors |
| Secatec electronic GmbH | Katzwinkel, Germany | 1998 | 20-49 | Inductive and capacitive proximity sensors including ATEX versions |
Which standards and certifications apply to IFM products?
Compliance checking is a routine but decisive part of sourcing automation sensors. Proximity switches are covered by BS EN IEC 60947-5-2, protection ratings by BS EN 60529, and IO-Link communication by IEC 61131-9. Where sensors contribute to machinery safety, BS EN ISO 13849-1 applies to the overall safety function. For the GB market, CE marking remains accepted for many product categories while the UKCA scheme has been introduced, so buyers should confirm the current marking position with the supplier at quotation stage. Hazardous-area versions carry ATEX or IECEx certification.
Quality verification follows three stages:
- Supplier qualification: check certificates, references and the supplier's history with the specific product family.
- Factory audit: confirm production and test processes, including final inspection and traceability.
- Product verification: test samples in the real application before committing to volume orders.
What do IFM products cost, and how do MOQs and logistics work?
The table below summarises indicative UK price ranges collected from distributor catalogues in 2026. Prices vary with version, quantity and configuration, so treat them as reference bands and confirm final quotes with the supplier.
| Product group | Indicative UK price range (2026) |
| Inductive proximity switch, M18 | £15 to £45 |
| Inductive sensor with IO-Link | £70 to £140 |
| Pressure transmitter | £150 to £450 |
| Flow sensor | £250 to £900 |
| Vibration sensor for condition monitoring | £250 to £600 |
| IO-Link master, 8 ports | £300 to £700 |
Standard catalogue products often ship from stock with no minimum order, while configured or custom versions may carry minimum order quantities of 10 to 100 units. Lead times typically range from a few days for stock items to several weeks for special versions. UK buyers importing from continental Europe should plan customs documentation and Incoterms with the supplier and verify warranty handling across borders.
How do budget and premium sensor options compare?
| Aspect | Budget option | Premium option |
| Inductive M18 sensor | £15 to £45, switching output | £70 to £140, IO-Link with diagnostics |
| Housing | Plastic (PBT) | Stainless steel or hygienic design |
| Diagnostics | Basic LED indication | Continuous process data and event flags |
| Certification | CE marking | CE plus ATEX/IECEx or UL where required |
| Supply | Standard catalogue versions | Application-specific or custom versions |
| Support | Catalogue support | Application engineering and commissioning help |
How can you source IFM products in six steps?
A structured buying process prevents specification errors and price surprises. Work through the six steps below, and use the industrial sensor listings to build a shortlist of comparable suppliers.
| # | Step | What to check |
| 1 | Define technical requirements | Sensing principle, range, output, process connection |
| 2 | Evaluate supplier capability | Certifications, stock, technical support, references |
| 3 | Verify samples and quality | Test samples in the real application before volume orders |
| 4 | Confirm certification requirements | CE, UKCA and ATEX declarations of conformity |
| 5 | Negotiate MOQ and pricing | Volume discounts, frame agreements, payment terms |
| 6 | Plan logistics and delivery | Lead times, shipping terms, customs, warranty terms |
What else do buyers ask about IFM products?
Q: Which IFM sensor types are the most common in factory automation?
A: Inductive proximity sensors and photoelectric sensors are the highest-volume groups, followed by pressure, temperature, flow and level sensors in process applications. Networking components, especially IO-Link masters, and vibration sensors for condition monitoring are growing fastest.
Q: Can IFM products be purchased directly or only through distributors?
A: Both routes exist. ifm sells directly through its own subsidiaries and also works with authorised distribution partners. Specialist sensor distributors and verified B2B profiles offer additional sources, including for spares and replacements.
Q: What does IO-Link change for a buyer?
A: IO-Link turns the sensor into a data source. Parameters can be set remotely, faults are reported with diagnostics, and a replacement device automatically receives its saved configuration. It also reduces the number of variants to stock because one device covers multiple configurations.
Q: Are IFM products compatible with control systems from other manufacturers?
A: Standard PNP switching outputs work with any PLC. IO-Link is standardised as IEC 61131-9 and is independent of the fieldbus, so IO-Link devices work with PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT and other networks through the master.
Q: What warranty applies to IFM products?
A: ifm grants a five-year warranty on its catalogue products, which is unusually long for the sector and a practical consideration in total cost of ownership.
Q: Is CE marking still sufficient for the UK market?
A: For most industrial electrical equipment, CE marking continues to be accepted in Great Britain alongside the UKCA scheme. Because recognition rules are updated periodically, confirm the marking position for the specific product with the supplier before ordering.
Where should you start comparing suppliers?
Next step: Search and contact verified industrial sensor suppliers on Europages and request quotations for the sensor types defined in your specification.
Sources
- IFR, World Robotics 2025: Robot density press release, April 2026
- UK Government, Robotics and automation opportunities in the UK, 2025
- Congruence Market Insights, IO-Link market analysis citing the IO-Link Community, 2025
- Grand View Research, Industrial sensors market report, 2025
- ifm, company profile, 2025
- Verified supplier company profiles in the B2B supplier directory, October 2026
