Driving Force for the SME Sector
Interview with Florian Hochstadt, Managing Director of I.M.A. - H.-D. Gröschler GmbH
I.M.A. - H.-D. Gröschler GmbH from Leopoldshöhe is a leading provider of customized drive systems tailored to the needs of smaller and medium-sized machinery manufacturers. With over 35 years of experience and a close partnership with Kubota, the company not only offers high-quality engines but also comprehensive service – from development to after-sales support. This saves OEMs valuable resources and increases their efficiency.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Hochstadt, you have been part of the management of I.M.A. GmbH since the beginning of 2024.
Florian Hochstadt: Yes, I have officially been part of the management since January last year. Before that, I worked for ten years at Kubota (Germany) GmbH where I was responsible for managing the dealer network, including I.M.A. Through this close collaboration, I was very familiar with the company and its products. When Hans-Dieter Gröschler, the long-time owner, wanted to retire due to age reasons, the opportunity arose for me to take over the operational management. Since I already knew both the structures and the market, it was an ideal transition. Mr. Groeschler continues to be part of the management with his daughter Janine Berlinghoff, who is in charge of the commercial sector. My role is particularly in the technical area — and it was clear that someone with deep product and market understanding was needed.
Wirtschaftsforum: How has the company developed?
Florian Hochstadt: Much remains the same – our proximity to the customer, the short routes, and the family-like character of our company. At the same time, we have developed significantly in recent years. Today, we see ourselves as system partners for small and medium-sized OEMs that develop machinery for construction, municipal technology, forestry, or power supply. We provide them not only with engines but also with complete, ready-to-connect drive systems (Power Packs) – including engine control, wiring, exhaust after-treatment, software, documentation, and, if desired, also pre-assembled. Our engineering team supports our customers from development through to the prototype and up to production. This saves them time, development effort, and costs – and they can fully concentrate on their machinery.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does your partnership with Kubota play, including in terms of services?
Florian Hochstadt: Kubota is the global leader in compact industrial engines up to 55 kW and offers the new V5009 engines up to a power of 157.3 kW. Since 1997, we have been an authorized partner and since 2024 also responsible for technical service in Germany. Our customers receive everything from one source, from consulting and sales to spare parts and training, all the way to warranty processing. Especially smaller OEMs without their own engine department appreciate this comprehensive service. We support them through all project phases, from development and production start to well beyond commissioning. They rely on our technical hotline, our spare parts warehouse in Leopoldshöhe, and a nationwide network of over 30 service partners. We are contacts during development, at production start, and throughout the entire product lifecycle.
Wirtschaftsforum: How did you manage the past years with bottlenecks and supply issues?
Florian Hochstadt: We early relied on having our own storage at our secondary location, occasionally with over 1,200 engines. This allowed us quick access to engines and spare parts. It brought us many new customers and significantly strengthened our market position.
Wirtschaftsforum: You mentioned a strong team. How do you attract and retain skilled workers?
Florian Hochstadt: Many join as career changers from the automotive or agricultural machinery sectors – some even from completely different fields. Technical understanding, willingness to learn, and team spirit are important to us.
We offer good training, flat hierarchies, and an environment in which one can develop. This ensures high loyalty within the team.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are your plans for the coming years?
Florian Hochstadt: We want to expand our training offerings, increase visibility in the market, and win new OEMs for our solutions. At the same time, we are investing in digital processes and the technical expansion of our site. We are also closely monitoring the shift to alternative drives. At the moment, diesel is still without alternative in many applications – for example, on construction sites or in mobile use. However, Kubota is actively developing towards hydrogen and alternative fuels; thus, all Kubota engines are currently approved for HVO. We remain open to technology and advise our customers when new options arise.
Our goal remains clear: We do not provide individual parts, but functioning, tested systems – customized to our customers' machines.