UNITED KINGDOM —British engineering group IMI plc has agreed to acquire building automation specialist iSMA CONTROLLI S.p.A. from B.group and key executive shareholders for an enterprise value of 63 million euros. The transaction will be fully funded using IMI’s existing credit facilities and is scheduled to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory clearance. Based in the UK, IMI plc is a global engineering firm specializing in fluid and motion control technology across industrial automation, life sciences, and climate control markets.
The strategic acquisition integrates iSMA CONTROLLI into IMI’s Climate Control division, broadening its suite of connected controls for commercial real estate. iSMA CONTROLLI offers an open and scalable building automation architecture designed for energy management, environmental monitoring, and system optimization. For the financial year ending December 31, 2026, the company is projected to generate revenue of approximately 40 million euros alongside an operating profit of 4.5 million euros.
This transaction addresses the growing demand for energy-efficient infrastructure in commercial real estate, particularly within the underserved small and medium-sized building market. Decarbonization mandates, rising energy costs, and stringent regulatory standards are accelerating corporate investments in smart energy control platforms that lower operating overheads and ensure environmental compliance.
By combining iSMA CONTROLLI’s digital control systems with IMI’s global distribution network and established customer base, the group positions itself to capture expanding market share in commercial climate automation. For investors and industry stakeholders, the transaction underlines ongoing consolidation within industrial automation as global engineering firms seek higher-margin, software-enabled growth opportunities aligned with long-term energy transition megatrends.
