HIMA: Sales growth and new investments in services, new markets and integrated applications

The company’s success in 2010 and optimistic outlook can be traced to its significant strengths – commercial self-sufficiency, corporate independence and an outstanding customer-orientation focus.

Even during the worldwide economic crisis in 2009, HIMA recorded a sales decrease of just 8.6%, reflecting the importance of safety, HIMA’s business resilience and the introduction of the HIMax® safety system in 2008. In fact, the company recorded a 2% increase in orders received during 2009 and was able to avoid layoffs.

Since its introduction, the HIMax safety system has ensured plant safety at a variety of companies around the world, while demand continues to increase. Thanks to the nonstop operation of the system throughout the entire plant lifecycle, HIMA was able to secure several major international projects. These include a five-year framework agreement recently concluded with BP for the supply of safety systems for five North American refineries.

Due to its extremely high performance, HIMax offers new possibilities for integrated applications. In the field of turbo machinery control and burner control systems, these possibilities have resulted in successful implementations. Further investments in developing integrated applications are planned.

During 2010, the topic of “functional safety” continued to gain importance worldwide. The demand for safety experts who support plant operators throughout the entire safety lifecycle or help to introduce a functional safety management system is growing steadily. A leader in functional safety, HIMA continues to invest in expanding its safety lifecycle services.

In 2011, HIMA is focusing on developing new and enhanced safety-related solutions for the oil and gas industry and the chemical and petrochemical sector. Logistics and machine safety as well as railway solutions will also be further extended.

HIMA’s worldwide expansion is continuing. With 10 subsidiaries, a joint venture in China and numerous representatives in more than 50 countries, HIMA is a recognized worldwide safety leader. More than 70% of sales are generated outside Germany, with more than 50% outside Europe. While sales and engineering services expansions are planned worldwide, especially in Latin America, Russia and Asia; HIMA will continue to be develop, produce and test products exclusively in Germany.

As sponsor of the Namur Annual General Meeting in 2010, HIMA was able to demonstrate its capacity as an expert for functional safety and consolidate its strong market position, which will be further expanded worldwide in the next few years.