ifm electronic is a German manufacturer of industrial sensors and automation controls. Founded in 1969 with the invention of the first thin-film inductive proximity sensor, the company remains a second-generation family-owned business headquartered in Essen, Germany. Over 88% of products are manufactured in Germany, with global R&D and production centered in Tettnang on Lake Constance.

The product portfolio spans position sensors (inductive, capacitive, photoelectric), process sensors (pressure, flow, level, temperature), motion sensors, safety technology (light curtains, relays), industrial vision, RFID and code readers, IO-Link and AS-i communication, mobile machine controllers, vibration condition monitors, and the moneo IIoT platform. ifm serves automotive production, food and beverage processing, packaging machinery, mobile equipment, and general factory automation worldwide.