The HIMA Group recently reached a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy. On March 3rd and 5th, 2026, the company officially opened new legal entities in Bogotá, Colombia, and Lima, Peru. These openings strengthen HIMA’s ability to provide localized safety automation solutions for the process and rail industries. Moreover, the move highlights the growing demand for specialized functional safety expertise across the Latin American industrial landscape.

Strengthening Regional Support for Process Safety and Industrial Automation

The new offices in Bogotá and Lima serve as strategic hubs for regional project management and technical engineering. Specifically, the Colombia office will coordinate market development while the Peru team focuses on local commissioning and maintenance services. Consequently, customers in the oil, gas, and chemical sectors gain direct access to HIMA’s certified safety experts. This local presence ensures faster response times for critical control system deployments and emergency shutdown (ESD) support.

Driving Digital Transformation through OT Security and Functional Safety

During the opening ceremonies, HIMA emphasized the critical intersection of digitalization and operational technology (OT) security. As industrial environments become more interconnected, the risk of cyber-related safety incidents increases significantly. Therefore, HIMA integrates hardware and software into a unified safety platform to protect people and assets. Their solutions adhere to rigorous international standards, including IEC 61508 and CENELEC SIL 4. As a result, plant operators can achieve high availability while maintaining the strictest compliance levels.

Leveraging a Certified Partner Network for Scalable Control Systems

Beyond its direct locations in Argentina, Colombia, and Peru, HIMA utilizes a robust network of 14 certified partners. These partners undergo rigorous training through the HIMA Partner Program to ensure consistent service quality. In addition, this hybrid model allows HIMA to support clients in Chile, Mexico, and Brazil effectively. This structure proves essential for managing large-scale factory automation projects that require diverse technical skill sets. Therefore, the company maintains a large installed base of over 50,000 safety systems worldwide.

Investing in the Future of Latin American Energy and Infrastructure

Latin America possesses vast raw material reserves and a rapidly expanding industrial infrastructure. HIMA recognizes this potential and commits to long-term partnerships that create sustainable value for local enterprises. Furthermore, the company’s recent global acquisitions, such as Sella Controls and Origo Solutions, bolster its portfolio in intelligent safety. These strategic moves allow HIMA to offer comprehensive lifecycle services, from initial safety engineering to long-term maintenance contracts. This holistic approach builds deep trust with global process industry giants operating in the region.

Expert Insight: The Shift Toward Software-Defined Safety Logic

In my view, HIMA’s expansion reflects a broader industry trend toward software-defined safety and vendor-independent platforms. Modern engineers increasingly prefer "Commercial Off-the-Shelf" (COTS) safety PLCs because they offer better interoperability with existing DCS environments. By providing open-source safety controllers, HIMA allows for easier integration into complex railway and subsea applications. This flexibility is vital for Latin American operators who must balance aging infrastructure with the need for modern, digitalized safety protocols.

Practical Application Scenarios for HIMA Safety Solutions

• Emergency Shutdown (ESD): Protecting high-pressure chemical reactors from catastrophic failure during process deviations.

• Burner Management Systems (BMS): Ensuring safe startup and operation of industrial boilers and furnaces in power plants.

• Pipeline Management (PMC): Utilizing advanced leak detection and overpressure protection (HIPPS) for long-distance oil transport.

• Railway Interlocking: Implementing CENELEC SIL 4 certified controllers for signal management and level crossing safety.

• Fire and Gas Monitoring (F&G): Providing reliable detection and mitigation workflows for hazardous offshore and onshore environments.