Industrial Motor Service positions itself as a manufacturing consultant, not just a repair shop

At first glance, Industrial Motor Service (IMS) may sound like a traditional electric motor repair company. But according to Chief Operating Officer Taylor Powell, the Anderson-based firm is redefining what that role looks like in modern manufacturing.

“We like to say, ‘If it turns, we fix it,’” Powell said during a recent interview with SCBIZ at the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo. “But more than that, we see ourselves as a remanufacturer and a consultant. We’re restoring life to equipment and helping manufacturers make smarter decisions.”

Watch the interview video here.

Founded in 1989 and strategically located between Georgia and North Carolina, IMS serves manufacturers across the Southeast. The company rebuilds and remanufactures electric motors, pumps, gearboxes and variable frequency drives (VFDs), supporting a wide range of industries from automotive suppliers to agriculture, HVAC and healthcare.

Challenging the “Buy New” Mindset

One of the biggest misconceptions Powell encounters is that replacing equipment is the default solution.

“Our industry association found that 86% of manufacturers are buying new motors instead of repairing them,” she said. “In a time when we’re talking about sustainability and circular economy principles, repair should absolutely be part of that conversation.”

IMS restores motors using upgraded materials — including inverter-duty rated wire and Class H insulation — often returning equipment in better condition than when it left the factory. The company also offers free evaluations, helping customers determine whether repair or replacement is the most cost-effective long-term option.

“We’re not just putting a bandage on something,” Powell said. “We’re extending the life of the asset.”

With a warranty rate below 1% and a one-year parts and labor warranty on repairs, Powell says the company stands behind its work.

A Consultative Approach to Uptime

Beyond repairs, IMS has leaned into preventive maintenance and consulting — an area Powell sees as central to the company’s future.

“If you want to lower downtime, you have to focus on preventive maintenance,” she said. “Running a line until it fails guarantees downtime.”

IMS works directly with maintenance teams, procurement departments and leadership to analyze failure patterns, reduce redundant inventory and address root causes of equipment breakdowns. In one recent project, the company reviewed more than 150 motors for a customer to help streamline inventory and eliminate unnecessary duplication.

As manufacturers adopt condition-based monitoring and other Industry 4.0 technologies, Powell sees IMS playing a critical role in interpreting data.

“A lot of companies are collecting data, but if it doesn’t drive action, it’s wasted,” she said. “We want to help interpret that information so it leads to real operational change.”

To support that goal, IMS is developing internal tools and applications to enhance tracking, reporting and customer visibility.

Building a Culture That Competes

While technical expertise drives results, Powell believes culture is equally important — especially in a tight labor market.

“We’re competing for talent with the same companies we serve,” she said.

IMS offers full benefits, profit sharing, a 401(k), paid holidays and birthday leave, along with uniform laundry service and regular team meals. The company operates 24/7 for emergency response but maintains daytime working hours to promote work-life balance.

“We don’t want our team missing time with their families,” Powell said.

The company also has no wage cap, rewarding skill development and long-term commitment. Many employees have been with IMS for decades, bringing deep institutional knowledge to complex repair challenges.

A Trusted Name in Emergencies

For Powell, IMS’ reputation is built in high-pressure moments.

“You can’t manufacture an emergency,” she said. “But when a line goes down at 5 p.m. on a Friday and others don’t answer, we do.”

That responsiveness, combined with long-standing vendor partnerships and authorized distributor relationships, enables IMS to quickly source equipment or complete repairs to get customers back online.

“Our goal is simple,” Powell said. “When something goes wrong, we want people to think IMS.”

As manufacturing continues evolving across South Carolina and the broader Southeast, Industrial Motor Service is positioning itself not just as a repair provider — but as a strategic partner focused on reliability, sustainability and long-term operational performance.

To watch the full interview with Taylor Powell, visit our YouTube channel HERE.