HMi Elements, a specialist that designs and manufactures ‘mission-critical’ computers for the oil and gas industry, has launched a breakthrough product and aims to increase sales by 20 per cent this year as it celebrates its 10th anniversary
The new product 1301-Z1 allows field maintainability for computer hardware in a Zone 1 product.
The unique enclosure with a hinged front allows access to the inside so that it can be kept in a safe area close to drilling rigs and oil refineries, saving time and money.
The new product also features glove-friendly touchscreen controls, unique edge-to-edge glass, a high-resolution display even in bright environments, high-speed processing capability and is lighter and slimmer.
HMi Elements products undergo rigorous testing and auditing so they are certified to use in and withstand explosive atmospheres. Due to the geographical spread of the world’s oil and gas reserves, they are capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +60°C.
Each computer costs in the region of US$310071 to bring to market and sell at a similar price to a small car.
Based in North Yorkshire, the company also has an office in Houston, Texas and an R&D lab in Leeds, with more than 95 per cent of sales exported.
HMi Elements has operated since the late 1980s, July marks a decade since the current owner and chief executive Howard Gould led the management buyout of the company, which was then named TECHNOR iSiS.
The chief executive said, “Our 10th anniversary is a notable achievement because we have taken the business forward to the point where it is almost unrecognisable from 2009 and have a clear plan of what we want to achieve in the future.”
“Our products play a crucial role in helping some of the biggest companies in the industry source and extract oil and gas. We have won two very important contracts providing bespoke products, there is a trend-based business that we can plan for and our new product is better than anything created before,” he added.
The company employs 35 people and turnover for last year was US$6mn.
