Smart Maintenance, Innovation Reshape Industrial Efficiency

Q: How has Samson evolved its presence in Mexico’s oil and gas sector?

ASAMSON has been strengthening its position in the industry with consistent growth. We originally started out in the chemical and petrochemical sectors, while others began directly in oil and gas. Initially we focused on developing technologies and products for petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and food & beverage industries. Later, we expanded into the oil and gas sector. Globally, Samson decided to push into this industry by acquiring two European companies, Ringo from Spain and Starline from Italy, both entirely dedicated to this sector worldwide. Their products are designed exclusively for oil and gas, and there is truly no better solution; they are excellent products.

We have promoted our brands extensively, and fortunately, over the past two years, we have managed to accomplish what had not been achieved in the last 15 or 20 years in Mexico. We are now installed on offshore oil platforms and have large equipment operating in refineries and storage battery facilities. We have built a strong, robust installed base of large, heavy-duty equipment for highly sensitive applications that require detailed engineering and close technical attention.

Q: Could you explain how artificial intelligence is being applied in Samson’s latest solutions?

A: We have two very interesting products that use artificial intelligence. One is relatively basic, so to speak, called Sam Valve Management. It is specifically designed for valves and tells you when maintenance is needed, when parts are worn, and when replacements are due. It identifies possible failures and, if something does fail, it tells you why it happened, something that was not possible before. That is the most basic level we offer.

Then we have another one called Sam Guard, which uses AI at the plant-wide level. It monitors the entire plant, all instruments and equipment, since everything is interconnected. It can predict where and when a failure will occur. 

Often, a problem does not originate where it appears; the cause lies elsewhere, and Sam Guard detects that. It monitors the entire plant in real time for a year, and after that learning period, it can accurately predict where a failure might occur.

Q: What has been the experience with implementing Sam Guard in Mexico so far?

A: The rollout of Sam Guard in Mexico has been a bit slow because we need IT authorizations. Since it monitors the entire plant, it involves sensitive information, so we must “complete all necessary approvals, reviews, and permits” to connect to clients’ databases, as the data is confidential.

We are advancing slowly due to these procedures but the end users are very excited about having a monitoring system that lets them oversee the entire plant on one screen, in one place, without moving around. Sam Guard is progressing slowly, but steadily. There is strong interest, and we are eager to get it installed soon.

Q: How is Samson leveraging its global experience to bring new digital communication technologies to Mexico?

A: Fortunately, we have global experience because we are a global company. In Europe, a new technology called PROFINET is being implemented. Today, European plants that use this technology can monitor their systems from home, the office, or anywhere, because it is all cloud-based, connected via Ethernet cables. Everything is uploaded to the cloud and can be reviewed remotely.

The speed and reach of data transfer are critical. Previously, you were limited by the communication protocol topology, type of cable and its length. Now, with cloud access, you can check operations from anywhere. Samson is a pioneer in using positioners with this communication technology, and plants are thrilled because they can be monitored from anywhere, reduce costs and increase efficiency. Operators can check systems from anywhere, and from any device to see how their plant is running.

In contrast, older plants still require physical inspections, going from one site to another to locate failures, which is complicated for large oil and gas facilities. Our job is to make life easier for the end user. 

Of course, for Sam Guard installation, certain plant requirements must be met: you need data recorders, specific hardware, and software, and not every facility has that. Since it is artificial intelligence, it is not just plug-and-play; if you do not have the required components, you cannot install Sam Guard. That is the only challenge.

Q: What advantages does Samson Mexico offer by operating directly as a subsidiary rather than through distributors?

A: We can provide technical personnel for maintenance, commissioning, after-sales service and correct valve selection, which are all very important. Most plants come pre-assembled or engineered from Europe, and many already include Samson equipment. Operators here simply receive, install, and run the systems. Our job is to support them with service, maintenance and making changes when needed. They have direct access to the manufacturer and the right people to provide that assistance. If there is a problem, they can call us, as we have qualified technicians who can go on-site. From selecting a valve for a new application or for a change of the conditions, to the after sales, you have qualified and trained personnel that specializes in all types of valves.

With Sam Guard, and especially Sam Valve Management, which applies to all sectors, from food and beverage to chemicals, petrochemicals, oil and gas, and even mining, we can help diagnose valve conditions. It is like a checkup, We can tell what is working, what is not, and what is showing signs of wear. That is what users appreciate most: maintenance support to prevent problems.

In the last five years at Samson Mexico, we have practically lived from solving problems, whether inherited from others or arising from normal valve operation, but that is what we do: we solve problems.

Q: What makes Samson’s specialization in valves its greatest strength?

A: Samson’s greatest strength is that we specialize in valves. We do not manufacture anything else. Many companies produce a wide range of instruments, but we focus solely on valves, and that makes us true experts.

We operate across many industries and understand countless applications, needs, and challenges. We can detect a problem in a food and beverage plant and find the same issue in mining. Since we only manufacture valves, we have applications for every sector, and when we find one that works in one industry, we can replicate it in another thanks to our global expertise.


SAMSON, a market leader in control and on-off valves for industrial processes, has been successful in instrumentation and controls for over 100 years.