HIMA Group Acquires Sella Controls

Summary

Feb. 2, 2023 - Bruehl/Stockpost - The HIMA Group headquartered in Brühl, Germany, which specializes in safety-related automation solutions, has acquired the UK system integrator Sella Controls with effect from
Feb. 1, 2023. Representatives of both companies signed an agreement to this effect in Manchester, UK, on Jan. 31.
 
With this transaction, both companies intend to continue their growth strategies and expand their range of solutions for railway technology and the process industry.

"HIMA has had a long-standing and close relationship with Sella Controls and shares the same vision and values. With Sella Controls the HIMA Group will accelerate its international expansion and strengthen its global competitiveness," said Steffen Philipp, Shareholder HIMA Group.
 
HIMA and Sella Controls will maintain their focus on safety-related automation, control solutions and the digitalisation of functional safety. "The acquisition of Sella Controls is an important milestone in our HIMA growth strategy. By joining our forces we will enhance our global position as a leading supplier for safety-related automation solutions for the process and rail industries", stated Jörg de la Motte, CEO HIMA Group.
 
Sella Controls is in a leading market position in the UK and Ireland. In particular, Sella Controls' expertise and portfolio of solutions in the rail sector is an excellent addition for HIMA, which intends to push ahead and market internationally. Business in the process industry is also to be further expanded in the UK and Ireland. One focus here is the digitalisation of functional safety, which HIMA is pushing under the motto "Safety goes digital."

HIMA's existing customers will benefit from even more intensive support as a result of the acquisition, while Sella Controls' customers will benefit from a larger service portfolio.
 
HIMA will ensure continuity of the management: John Blackwell (CFO) and Eddy Turnock (CSO), both previous owners, will continue to lead Sella Controls. In addition, Chris Parr, who previously led the Process Division at Sella Controls, will join the Management Board as CTO.
 
Sella Controls' 118 employees will be retained and additional hires are planned. The three locations will also be retained. Sella Controls has two divisions: the "Centre of Excellence Rail Solutions" with locations in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Coalville, near Leicester, and the "Process Solutions" division, which is based in Stockport near Manchester. The company will continue to trade under the name "Sella Controls" with the addition of "A HIMA Company".
 
"It’s a Win-Win-Situation for HIMA and Sella Controls, with multiple synergies: HIMA will benefit from the long-term experience of Sella Controls in the development of solutions for the rail industry and we at Sella Controls will be able to utilize HIMA’s global sales and service to boost our international business," said Eddy Turnock, CSO Sella Controls.
 
"As a family-owned company, the HIMA Group is long-term oriented and stands for customer
orientation, sustainable growth and people-focus. That’s why HIMA is offering great opportunities for further development of the Sella Controls team," added John Blackwell, CFO Sella Controls.

"The investment in Sella Controls is a clear signal that growth by acquisition is an important element of the HIMA growth strategy," said Dr. Michael Löbig, CFO HIMA Group.

The following people appear in the photo above: Jörg de la Motte, Eddy Turnock, Ian Wright, Steffen Philipp, Chris Parr, Dr. Michael Löbig and John Blackwell.

About HIMA

The HIMA Group is the world’s leading independent provider of safety-related automation solutions for the process and railway industries to protect people, the environment and assets. Founded in 1908 and headquartered in Germany, the family-owned company counts about 800 employees and operates from over 50 locations worldwide.

About Sella Controls

Established in 1974 as Sella Controls, the company was appointed agent for HIMA Paul Hildebrandt for safety system products in 1983; and became Hima-Sella Ltd in 1994. In 2001, Hima-Sella Ltd received the first ever CASS certificate - awarded for functional safety management in accordance with IEC 61508. In June 2017 the company changed its name back to Sella Controls. The change of name reflects the successful and continued development of the business across an increasing number of industry sectors, whilst maintaining its long standing relationship with HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH of Bruehl, Germany.

Today, Sella Controls is recognized as a market leader in ‘engineered solutions’ for safety, control, automation and telecommunication applications in the oil & gas, petrochemical, rail, steel and power industries. Current services include completely integrated systems, panel building, sub-assemblies, product development and on-site support.

The company is an active member of RISQS – the standard database from which companies in the rail sector select their contractors and suppliers; First Point Assessment Limited (FPAL, the industry database from which those operating in the oil and gas industries select their contractors and suppliers); and the Joint Qualification Scheme (JQS, the prerequisite for suppliers to the oil industry in Norway and Denmark, as used by the top 20 oil companies in those countries). Sella Controls is also a member of several associations and industry-based councils, including the Railway Industries Association, Rail Alliance, Energy Industries Council, the Institute of Measurement & Control, and the Nuclear Industry Association, keeping the company up to date with the changes in legislation and standards.

Recent multi-million pound contracts won by Sella Controls in the rail sector include the supply of a new Traction Power SCADA System for Dockland’s Light Rail, Safety PLC Depot Control Solutions, PPOS Solutions and extensive works for Network Rail as part of the Safer Isolations program. Sella Controls are an integrator of Mitsubishi, Panorama, Honeywell and ICONICS products as well as a supplier of HIMA Safety Systems.

The company is headquartered in Ashby de la Zouch with regional offices in Cheshire, Leicestershire and Aberdeenshire. In total, Sella Controls employs more than 100 full-time personnel.