Sofis

🚨 Poll: How important is valve interlock key management for process safety? Valve interlocks (captive keys) ensure valves are operated in the right sequence, minimizing human error and increasing safety. Valve interlocking systems have a Probability of Failure on Demand (PFD) of 0.01.   But how does managing valve interlock keys impact overall process safety? 🔑 The risk of missing a key could lead to dangerous outcomes, such as incorrect valve positions in critical operations.   Share your experience and insights with us! 👇   Want to learn more about effective key management? Explore the Sofis Key Management System: https://lnkd.in/e8AmRQFm   #Processsafety #safety #valveinterlocks #keymanagement

How do you address crucial challenges in your operational processes? To address a crucial challenge in their operations, Maersk invested in a solution to significantly improve efficiency. As one of the world's largest container shipping companies, A.P. Moller - Maersk is committed to accelerating the transition to decarbonize global supply chains while ensuring safety and efficiency.   Mr. Dick Jan Kuijt, Senior Fleet Superintendent Fleet Management & Technology: “The vessels’ firewater system, consists of 26 valves located throughout the vessel. Crew members responsible for the maintenance process have to exercise multiple valves on a monthly basis. This required significant physical strength and effort and the valves further down the operating process became increasingly more difficult to operate. Maersk wanted to protect their crew members and avoid injuries such as stiff, sore, and strained backs, shoulders and arms. At the same time we wanted to improve efficiency of the maintenance process. Now, using Power Wrench portable actuators, we are revolutionizing manual valve exercising for keeping the valves in good operational condition, reducing time by up to 80% while enhancing safety and performance.”   This investment not only streamlines operations but also underscores their commitment to sustainability. By optimizing valve operations, Maersk is ensuring the integrity of their fire suppression systems while protecting their crew and the environment. It's a win-win for people, profit, and the planet! #safety #processsafety #operatorsafety #efficiencyimprovement #sustainability

❓ How do you ensure safe valve operations in extreme, hard-to-reach areas? 🛠️. At a Brazilian chemical plant of a global leader in specialty chemicals and paints, critical block valves were located on a thermal oil line where temperatures soared to 280°C 🔥. To manually operate these valves, workers had to set up scaffolding and face the heat, putting safety at risk and slowing down operations. By implementing a remote solution, the plant enhanced safety, eliminated scaffolding, and reduced costly downtime. Workers could now control the valves from a safe distance, boosting efficiency. Want to learn more? 👉 Discover the full story: https://lnkd.in/eCGR65eN #processsafety #safety #valves #valveoperation #hfe

🎉 Congratulations Umit Agca! 🎉 We are excited to announce that Umit has been appointed as Head of Sales Europe! 🌍 Umit has been a valued member of the European sales team since 2019. He has shown great engagement with customers to uncover their specific needs, ensuring to offer tailored solutions that improve valve operations. “For me, it’s essential that both our partners and our customers succeed. We aim to provide them the knowledge and tools they need, particularly when it comes to explaining how our products can solve their problems related to safe 🛡️ and efficient valve operations 💡,” Umit says. We are convinced that Umit and his team will succeed in protecting more people, property, and the planet 🌍💼🌱 by offering smart valve solutions to industries dedicated to safe and sustainable valve operations! 👉 Learn more about Umit: https://lnkd.in/efnKkzsz

Thanks team Aselco! This week Sofis was represented by team ASELCO AUTOMAÇÃO at the ROG.e event in Rio de Janeiro, organized by IBP - Instituto Brasileiro de Petróleo e Gás. The topics addressed at the event, central to the energy sector: from technological innovations to best #safety practices in #oil and #gas exploration; from the progress of #wind and solar sources to the challenges of activities in mature fields. The event was referred to as ‘#Connecting #Energies’, with an impressive list of sponsors (with amongst them industry partners and users of our safety systems): Petrobras, Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor, Galp, PETRONAS, bp, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Repsol Sinopec Brasil, SBM Offshore, TechnipFMC, Subsea7 and many more. Thank you Miguel D'Avilla for your efforts to protect people, property and planet with safe and sustainable valve operations!

As Mr Guus Limpens, Managing Director at Limpens Elsloo, wisely said: “The delivery of the right product to the right customer is imperative. The costs related to incorrect loading or unloading can be drastically high." Depending on the industry, a single incident of incorrect silo loading or unloading could cost a company anywhere from $10,000 to several million dollars, taking into account direct losses and long-term reputational damage. Would you (still) take the following risks, if you would know how you could easily avoid them? 1. 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 -> incorrect loading results in product contamination or loss. 💰The cost of lost materials can vary, but in industries such as chemicals, food and pharma, this can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars per incident. 2. 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 -> 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: if the wrong material is loaded into a silo, production lines often need to be halted. 💰Every hour of downtime can cost thousands to hundreds of thousands in lost production revenue. 3. 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 -> 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐨 & 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: contamination requires a thorough cleaning of silos and pipelines. 💰Cleaning can cost several thousand dollars per silo, especially if chemicals are involved. 4. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: contaminated products that make it through to the production line can result in defective batches. 💰Loss of product quality can result in scrapped or recalled batches, leading to substantial financial losses. 5. 𝐇𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 -> 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: when incompatible materials are mixed, hazardous chemical reactions can occur, leading to fires, explosions, or toxic gas releases, creating a serious risk to worker safety. 💰Beyond the human cost, workplace accidents can lead to legal fees, compensation claims, regulatory fines, and costly safety upgrades. 6. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: non-compliance with safety and environmental regulations due to contamination incidents can result in hefty fines and legal penalties. 💰 Fines can run into the hundreds of thousands or even millions, depending on the scale and severity of the incident. 7. 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 -> 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭: delivering contaminated products can lead to lost contracts and damage to brand reputation. 💰Rebuilding trust can require expensive corrective measures, and loss of key customers can result in long-term revenue declines. 8. 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 -> 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥: contaminated materials often require special handling and disposal.💰Waste disposal costs can be high, especially for hazardous substances, potentially reaching thousands to tens of thousands per incident. #ContaminationPrevention #Safety #OperationalEfficiency Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e3VSFFXV

🚨 Refinery operations just got safer: how one of Europe’s most modern refineries improved safety, boosted efficiency, and even cut insurance costs!🏭💡 A Southern European petroleum company recently sought to modernize the operations of its tanker loading facility. In close collaboration with Sofis' partner Solidus Assyst smSA, Sofis provided a cost-effective solution that created an extra layer of protection, guaranteeing the correct loading of products at all times. All operations are now being recorded, ensuring compliance with the law and achieving continuous performance improvement. As a result, the company’s insurance costs have also significantly been reduced. Curious how you can enhance your operations too? Check out the full story here 👇 Read the blog post: https://lnkd.in/dqqMhCyh #processsafety #safety #refinery #loading #offloading #tankerterminal

The safety 🛡️ and efficiency ⚙️ of your operations rely heavily on the secure management of valve interlock keys 🔑. Missing keys can have profound implications on process safety and operational integrity. Here are some important questions regarding missing valve interlock keys: ❓ Where is the key now?  Has it accidentally left the facility with an operator or contractor? This not only results in efficiency loss and frustration but could also indicate that maintenance on critical systems is incomplete ⚠️ or that valves are left in unsafe positions 🚨. ❓ What is missing?  Is it an operation key? This could lead to systems being operated at inappropriate times, either during active operations or without the necessary permits. If it is a spare or group key, there is a risk that a captive key sequence could be bypassed. A missing master key or LOTO key raises questions about the safety of the start-up process and the security of operators. ❓ When is it missing?  If a key is missing before a start-up, it can severely impact your Pre-Startup Safety Audit (PSSA) 📝, necessitating repeated walk-the-line inspections and delaying operations 🕒. ❓ Which keys are missing?  The criticality of the system determines the level of risk ⚠️. Missing keys in critical systems escalate the risk and safety concerns 🚧. ❓ How many are missing?  The number of missing keys directly affects the overall risk levels and the integrity of your safety layers 🛡️. ❓ How did this happen?  Investigating 🔍 the logs 📑 and assessing your existing processes is crucial. Understanding how these lapses occur helps refine safety measures and ensure robust process controls. In industrial operations, the precise management of valve interlock keys is an important safety and efficiency building block. Find out how to safeguard your operations against the risks of missing keys! https://lnkd.in/ejPegN8Z 📢 You can take care of all your valve interlocking keys with the Sofis Key Management System. Designed for improved safety, efficiency, visibility, and administrative control. https://lnkd.in/e8AmRQFm #processsafety #safety #keymanagement #valves #valveoperation #industrialsafety 

🎉Proudly introducing our new partner in Belgium: Sodeco Valves! 🤝 Under the expert guidance of Managing Director Peter Wartel, Sodeco Valves is dedicated to delivering reliable valve solutions that drive efficiency and safety for its clients. Their commitment to quality and customer-centric approach aligns perfectly with our values, making our partnership a perfect fit. Founded in 1989 and based in Ternat, Belgium, Sodeco Valves established itself as a leading supplier of industrial control and stop valves for the chemical, petrochemical, and utility industries. With the know-how and commitment of their 54 experienced employees, they serve a broad range of customers across the energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food industries, providing high-quality products and services. We look forward to a successful collaboration, joining forces to protect people, property & planet with safe, efficient, and sustainable manual valve operations! #joiningforces #safety #processsafety #safercleanerhealthier

We are thrilled to welcome Bosko Apostolovic to our New Product Development (NPD) team as an Electrical Engineer⚡. Bosko brings over 6 years of experience in designing and developing electrical panels for packaging machines, and we are excited about the value he will add to Sofis.   Originally from Serbia, Bosko is already making an impact by collaborating closely with our quality and production teams to improve the manufacturing process of our electrical cabinets. His mission is to enhance our electromechanical products and make them more ergonomic. Bosko shared his thoughts on his first weeks: "My experience at Sofis has been tremendously positive! The team is friendly, supportive, and collaborative. I felt welcome from day one."   Bosko’s first big project is developing a standardized template for wiring diagrams for our electronic key cabinets, as well as a configurator that will streamline the ordering process. 📋 This will help save time, effort, and shorten delivery times ⏱️. Bosko also sees great potential in integrating digital technologies such as Industrial IoT into our products, enabling real-time diagnostics and predictive maintenance. 🛠️💡   Welcome aboard, Bosko! We're excited to see your contributions drive innovation at Sofis! 👏 #engineering #innovation #IoT #electricalengineer #productdevelopment #processsafety #safety #team