HIMA records exceptional growth of incoming orders in 2022 with 12 per cent being from Middle East

The HIMA Group, a safety related automation solutions provider, recorded exceptional growth of incoming orders in 2022, witnessing an 18 per cent increase in incoming orders. The company expects further growth in 2023 through digitalization, internationalization, and expansion of partnerships.

Jorg de la Motte, CEO of HIMA Group said: “The HIMA Group had a great year in 2022. With the acquisition of Sella Controls, we have also embarked on a new chapter for international growth in the railway technology sector.”

Demand in HIMA’s core markets had a positive trend overall. The breakdown of sales by region is as follows: Europe (59 per cent), Middle East (12 per cent), Asia (20 per cent), Americas and cross-regional projects (9 per cent). The order base also developed favourably, with the order backlog climbing by 38 per cent compared to 2021.

Dr. Michael Löbig , CFO of HIMA Group said: “We seamlessly managed fiscal year 2022 despite of many challenges, and are also feeling positive about the first quarter of 2023 in view of our increasing level of incoming orders.”

The HIMA Group invested 12 per cent of its sales in research and development in 2022 and has set itself the goal of digitalizing functional safety. The process industries (oil & gas, refineries and chemical industry) remain the largest customer group. The railway technology sector also showed a positive trend. Across all industries, 30 per cent of sales were generated from services and software.
“The positive customer feedback shows us that we have successfully attained our objectives with our digitalization strategy #safetygoesdigital,” de la Motte said.

In addition to further investments in R&D – especially for software and applications – HIMA’s priorities in 2023 include internationalisation and the expansion of partnerships. “The opening of the new HIMA Security Lab at our Customer Solutions Centre marks another milestone,” said de la Motte. “Working closely with our partner genua, we offer visitors the opportunity to experience our OT security solutions first hand” he added. HIMA is also intensifying its cooperation with global partners for sales, engineering and joint solution development.

Internationalisation remains a major element of the growth strategy. In addition to the acquisition of Sella Controls in February 2023, which expands HIMA’s presence in the UK and extends its expertise and solutions portfolio in the railway sector. It also has recently expanded its sales and service presence in France, and opened a new regional headquarter in Dubai and established its own company in Argentina.

Dr. Löbig said: “With these measures, we are further expanding our global sales and service presence and solidifying our claim to provide customers with the best possible local support in the digitalization of functional safety.”

Further regional expansions are planned with a focus on the target markets of the Middle East and Asia.