This year marks 40 years of linear key valve interlocking, a milestone that underscores the power of long-term partnerships built on safety, trust, and innovation. Teksal and Sofis have been partners for over two decades, but their roots run even deeper. Joe Hischar, Managing Director at Teksal, vividly remembers the early spark. “The partnership with Smith Flow Control came to be when Teksal Safety was founded in 2002,” Joe recalls. “But our relationship dates back several years before that.”
A foundation based on trust
Joe’s connection began in 1998 while working at Fortress Systems, a sister company that represented Smith Flow Control in Australia. He was immediately drawn to the products. Not just for their technical edge, but for their purpose. Their application in process plant operations hit close to home for Joe, who had previously worked in the nuclear power industry. “Operations and process safety have always been important to me,” he explains. “These products make operations safer, and that’s always felt meaningful.”
One of the defining early moments was Joe’s collaboration with Smith Flow Control founder Mike D’Anzieri. “Mike loved coming to Australia. There was a strong industry connection and a proactive safety culture here, especially in LNG. I learned a lot from him and Kim McKay from Fortress.” Their mentorship, combined with a shared set of values, solidified a partnership that would soon define Teksal’s future.
Why this partnership stands out
From day one, valve interlocking wasn’t just another product in Teksal’s lineup, it was the product. “I founded Teksal Safety with valve interlocking as a cornerstone,” Joe says. “It’s a product and partnership that always held enormous value and passion for us. The rest of the business grew around it.” That passion has translated into tangible value for customers. “Valve interlocks have had the greatest impact,” Joe emphasizes. In a country like Australia, where LNG dominates the resource sector, valve interlocks are everywhere, onshore and offshore. “We’ve enjoyed introducing valve interlocks to mining sectors like iron ore, nickel, and alumina, where they weren’t as well known. The safety improvements speak for themselves.”
Sofis’ ability to evolve with industry needs is also a big part of their continued relevance. “Portable actuators are a great example,” says Joe. As workforce demographics change, solutions must adapt. “More diverse teams, including more female operators, meant we needed easier, safer ways to operate difficult valves. Sofis portable valve actuators were the perfect fit.”
Eyes on the horizon
Joe sees the safety landscape continuing to shift, with two clear trends emerging: the rise of valve drive systems, such as portable actuators and remote valve operators, and a broader awareness of environmental risk. “Companies aren’t just protecting personnel anymore, they’re looking at the environmental impact too,” he notes. Valve interlocks are finding their way into new industries as companies increasingly choose to manage risk through engineered controls. In that evolving future, Joe is confident about the role Teksal and Sofis will play. “We act as an extension of Sofis,” he says. “We adapt, we share knowledge, and we provide site service and support, both onshore and offshore. Being located so far from the Sofis factory makes local expertise absolutely critical.”
One development Joe is particularly excited about is electronic key cabinets. “They bridge the gap between mechanical field devices and digital plant systems. There’s growing demand for traceability and auditability, and I think this innovation will really change how facilities manage safety.”
A story that shaped everything
Joe’s favourite project with Sofis takes him back to Teksal’s beginnings: a massive job for Woodside Energy during the construction of their fourth LNG train. “There were over 1000 interlocks, and we were brought in late by the EPC contractor. It was a complicated, time-critical project. There were issues, but we pulled it off.” That job didn’t just mark a milestone. It helped define what Teksal needed to succeed: expertise, strong relationships, and unwavering support from partners. “Smith Flow Control, who later merged with Netherlocks in Sofis, moved mountains to get the job done right and on time. It proved the importance of the relationship and what we could achieve together.” Over the years, Joe has learned that it’s not just about products or processes, it’s about people. “The best results come from relationships based on trust and putting the customer first,” he says, reflecting on his early experiences with Mike D’Anzieri. “That founder’s mentality really left an impression on me.”
Staying true to what works
If Joe could turn back the clock to Teksal’s first year, his advice to his younger self would be clear: focus on what you can control and stay true to the core strengths that drive success. That principle has guided the company through change and growth over the years. Reflecting on the journey, Joe is certain of one thing: if there were ever a book written about Teksal, the story of its partnership with Sofis wouldn’t just be a chapter; it would be the preface. As he puts it, “If it weren’t for Sofis, there wouldn’t be a Teksal story to tell.”
More than business: A personal perspective
For Joe, Teksal is more than a business; it’s a passion. “I see Teksal as an extension of Sofis,” he says. “We adapt and grow together, always striving to offer the highest level of competence, backed by strong application knowledge and local site support.”
A shared commitment to helping customers
The partnership between Sofis and Teksal goes far beyond products, it’s a shared commitment to helping customers work smarter and safer. As the industry continues to evolve, we’re proud to have partners like Teksal who share our dedication to innovation and long-term thinking.