IMTMA supports the machine tool industry of India in increasing its competitiveness, technology, productivity and quality for overall advancement and growth.

IMTMA supports the export efforts of its members through various initiatives such as group participation in overseas fairs, trade missions, etc.

IMTMA helps members with their technology issues by identifying suitable academic / R&D institutions which have required expertise to develop solutions for them.

After sustained advocacy with the Government of India, it was possible to create an Advanced Centre of Excellence for R&D and Technology Development in machine tools with IIT, Madras.

As a result of IMTMA's interaction, the Government of India in the year 2009 constituted a C-MAT (Core Advisory Group for Research and Development in the Machine Tools Sector).

The regional councils of IMTMA promote the growth of the association activities and in particular serve as brand ambassadors for membership enhancement drive.

The seal of recognition of IMTMA was affirmed at the first meeting of the association's executive committee on 28 August 1947 at Indian Merchant's Chamber in Bombay.

The first annual general meeting of IMTMA was held on 29 January 1948 at Indian Merchant's Chamber at Lalji Naranji Memorial Building in Bombay.

With nearly 50% of the machine tool companies being based in Bangalore besides a large concentration of manufacturers in prominent industry sectors such as aerospace, defence, etc.

also in the city, IMTMA felt the need of setting up a Centre of Excellence to cater requirements of the industries based in the region and also the need to have a world class exhibition infrastructure.

The first "All India Machine Tool Exhibition" was held in 1969 in the premises Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Private Limited in Vikhroli, Mumbai, over 7,000 square metres.