Safety-related automation specialist HIMA Group commemorated the 50th anniversary of Sella Controls with a safety symposium in Birmingham held on 9th October 2024. The event celebrated Sella Controls’ evolution from its beginnings in Whaley Bridge to its current position as a major name in safety and control systems.
Acquired by HIMA in February 2023 following a longstanding partnership, Sella Controls has since expanded into the process industry across the UK and Ireland.
Operating from Stockport and Ashby, Sella Controls employs 131 staff members and acts as HIMA’s regional center in the UK and a Global Center of Excellence for rail activities.
Jörg de la Motte, CEO of HIMA Group, highlighted the strategic benefits of the acquisition, saying, “Thanks to Sella Controls, HIMA’s product and solutions portfolio is now much broader, especially in the rail sector.” He indicated plans for expanded research and development activities in the UK to meet evolving customer needs.
©HIMA Group
The event included insights from various industry leaders, with Chris Parr, CTO of Sella Controls, commenting on the company’s achievements over the past five decades. “Reaching our 50 years milestone is an important achievement for Sella Controls,” he said. He also expressed a commitment to maintaining safety and operational effectiveness in client assets through technical innovation and safety expertise.
Dr. Michael Löbig, CFO of HIMA Group, provided an overview of the integration process, reporting that key activities, including IT integration, had been completed within the first year. He revealed that HIMA Group intends to continue investing in Sella Controls to enhance its service offerings and employee experience.
Industry professionals, including Rob Stockham from GI Systems and Mark O’Neill and Jorge Santos from Amey Rail Limited, discussed Sella Controls’ role in advancing safety and control solutions in various sectors.
Sella Controls offers safety systems, control solutions and digital rail technologies. Key products include Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD), Fire & Gas (F&G) systems, and Burner Control Systems (BCS/BMS), which ensure operational safety and compliance with industry standards.
