In 1996, IMS developed the patented Starwheel Drive self-propulsion system, which has revolutionized the way people dredge by eliminating the use of restrictive anchor cables. IMS has since earned itself the reputation of being the world’s leading producer of one-truck transportable self-propelled dredging systems and has delivered more dredges for lake, marina, and canal maintenance projects than any other manufacturer. IMS also developed the patented WeedMaster cutterhead, which converts the Versi-Dredge into a weed harvesting system. This allows the end user to tackle a wider variety of projects with a single piece of equipment instead of having several pieces with multiple operators. To date, IMS holds the exclusive technology for hydraulically pumping aquatic vegetation.

In 2000, the Governor of the State of Kansas presented IMS President Jim Horton with the Kansas Exporter of the Year Award. In early 2003, IMS was acquired by its competitor, Liquid Waste Technology.