HIMA Group recently strengthened its global footprint by officially opening new business entities in Bogota, Colombia, and Lima, Peru. These strategic locations aim to provide localized support for the process and rail industries throughout the Andean region. As industrial automation demands grow, HIMA offers advanced functional safety and cyber-security solutions to protect critical infrastructure. Consequently, this expansion marks a significant milestone in HIMA’s long-term commitment to the Latin American energy and chemical sectors.

Strategic Infrastructure Growth in Colombia and Peru

The new offices serve as vital hubs for regional market development and comprehensive project management. While the Bogota office coordinates regional activities, the Lima entity focuses on local engineering and commissioning services. Latin America possesses vast raw material reserves and rapidly growing industrial infrastructure, creating a high demand for safety systems. Therefore, HIMA positions its local teams to help clients maximize the potential of these emerging energy projects.

Digitalizing Process Safety through Advanced PLC Technology

Modern industrial facilities require sophisticated Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) to manage complex safety functions effectively. HIMA showcased the advantages of digitalizing functional safety during high-level seminars with industry partners in March 2026. Moreover, the company emphasizes the critical nature of Operational Technology (OT) security in today's interconnected factory automation environments. These smart safety platforms integrate hardware and software to ensure compliance with international SIL 3 and SIL 4 standards.

Strengthening Regional Partnerships and Maintenance Services

HIMA has maintained a presence in Latin America since 1995 through an extensive network of certified partners. The establishment of legal entities in Argentina, Colombia, and Peru now provides direct access to expert after-sales support. In addition, fourteen certified partners across the region ensure consistent quality and professional competence for all installations. This dual approach allows HIMA to provide engineering, project management, and long-term maintenance contracts across the entire safety lifecycle.

Enhancing Global Safety Standards in Rail and Process Industries

HIMA’s safety solutions extend beyond the process industry to include revolutionary CENELEC SIL 4 certified safety controllers for railways. These open-source products facilitate easy integration into level crossings, signal interlocking, and rolling stock systems. Furthermore, the company’s recent acquisitions of Sella Controls and Origo Solutions have bolstered its expertise in intelligent safety automation. As a result, HIMA protects people and assets in over 50,000 installations worldwide through its unified technology platform.

Author Commentary: The Shift Toward OT Security and Integration

The expansion into Colombia and Peru reflects a broader industry trend toward localized, high-tech safety engineering. We observe that industrial operators increasingly prioritize OT security alongside functional safety to combat evolving digital threats. HIMA’s move to provide local liaison support is essential for complex commissioning tasks in remote mining or oil sites. In our view, the integration of safety and security within a single PLC architecture will become the standard for future-proof industrial plants.

Industrial Application: High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS)

HIMA provides specialized HIPPS solutions to protect pipelines and pressure vessels from overpressure conditions in the oil and gas sector.

• Risk Mitigation: Replaces traditional mechanical relief valves with high-speed electronic safety loops.

• System Architecture: Utilizes redundant SIL 3 certified sensors and logic solvers to trigger rapid-acting valves.

• Operational Efficiency: Reduces environmental emissions by preventing the venting of hazardous gases during pressure surges.

• Cost Savings: Allows for lower pressure ratings in downstream piping, significantly reducing material and installation costs.