Industry of Machinery and Tractors was a Serbian manufacture company which produced and vendored tractors and agricultural machinery. It was headquartered in Belgrade, Serbia. In April 2018, IMT was sold to TAFE.
History
The IMT factory was founded in 1947 as the Central Foundry. In 1949, a new company, the Metal Institute, was formed by amalgamating the Central Foundry and four other local companies. The Metal Institute became the Industry of Machinery and Tractors in 1954. The following year, research was conducted on different types of tractors and the Massey Ferguson licence was chosen. In 1959, the factory was reconstructed and production capacities for 4,000 tractors a year were built. The factory started production of a tractor of their own design in 1964. In 1988, IMT recorded its largest annual production in history - 42,000 tractors and 35,000 machines. Between 1990 and 2000, changing economic circumstances led to significant changes in production. A long-term co-operation was established with the Perkins company, and the first engines complying to the EU 2000/25/EC standards were built in 2005. In 2008, the Serbian Privatisation Agency launched a tender process for the sale of IMT. In 2012, IMT introduced a new "S" series of tractors. Offer of the new generation of tractors together with purchasing power demanded customisation of tractor accessory. Mostly new models have join of traditional and modern look, thanks to the Belgradeprofessional schools, Faculties of Design and IMT design studio. In July 2013, IMT exported tractors in Kazakhstan, ex-Yugoslavia markets, Ecuador and African market. The model which has been exported in Kazakhstan was labelled "Baikonur" and it was models 539, 549, 555.11. The company ceased production in August 2015 and went into bankruptcy procedure, with 186 million dollars of accumulated debt. On 2 April 2018, the company was sold from bankruptcy to the Indian manufacturing company TAFE.
Popular products
Most popular type of IMT tractors was IMT 533 and IMT 539. These tractors become popular in Yugoslavia, because they were easy for maintenance, easy to handle, manoeuvrable, rotatable. Popularity is resulted by spreading of mechanisation and modern technology on rural parts of country. Later model was produced in 1965. It was IMT 555. Reliable of these three types is in characteristics of the engine. These engine could stand for 4,000 working hours to the general repair. IMT 5200-5500 models were among the ten biggest tractors on the world market in '80s and '90s. These series were contemporary for that period. Characteristics of these series were: ≈500 hp, V12 dieselFAP and Mercedes-Benz engine, 4WD, 4X4 chasis, synchro gearbox shifter,16 t, hydrostatic power steering, dual clutch, 3 seats adjustable, complete safety programs for passengers and drivers, big space for smaller items and air brakes. Additional accessories of 5200-5500 models were: manual A/C, cigarette lighter and ashtray, manual sun or moon roof and car radio/cassette recorder. Other historical models worth to mention of this company are: 528,530-539P, 542-549, 550-558, 560-569, 570-579, 585-589, 590-597, 5100, 5135-5136, 5170, 5210, 5220, 5270 and 5500.
Series 2000, are equipped with: polyester engine cover, synchronised gear shifter, 2 WD, adjustable steering by height, synchronised gear shifter, engines by Perkins or John Deere with EC Stage II standard, easy handling and maintenance. Series 2000, in accessory part refers to A/C, 4WD, heating and hydraulic power steering regulation of position and draft. At 79 Agriculture Fair in Novi Sad, IMT presented new generation of tractors with mark "S". Standard equipment offered: better anti acoustic and rust protection, modern design of cabin, synchronised gear shifter with 10 speeds and 2 speeds, polyester engine cover, EC IIIA standard, 4 WD, hydraulic power steering regulation of position and draft. They have been adjusted for attachment and work with implements of large width, mounted or semi-mounted. Accessories for these series includes: A/C, A/C powered by solar panels, car radio, seat heating and heating+ventilation. In IMT at 2013 was announced reproduction of older version of IMT 5360 with governments stimulatives. These type includes the same standard equipment and accessory as series "S".
Other
Besides tractors, IMT also produces a number of agricultural machinery. Ploughs, trailers, maize planters, seed drills, cultivators and loader forklifts.
