About Us
Our Heritage
Cobeal was founded with a vision to deliver innovative and reliable engineering, design, and construction services across critical industries. From its inception, Cobeal has embodied a commitment to excellence and a relentless drive to solve complex challenges. Over the years, our journey has been marked by groundbreaking projects that have left a lasting impact on communities and industries worldwide.
Global Expertise
With over 60 years of experience, Cobeal has grown into a trusted partner in engineering, procurement, construction, and project management. Operating across Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe, we bring a global perspective to every project. Our expertise spans diverse sectors, including oil & gas, industrial manufacturing, healthcare, and renewable energy, delivering customized solutions tailored to our clients' needs.
Leadership in Innovation
Under the leadership of Dr. Sophy Laughing, Ph.D., MBA, and Bo Erik Gustav Hollsten, Cobeal has solidified its reputation for technical excellence and operational efficiency. From designing cutting-edge air, energy, water, and security systems to delivering turnkey construction solutions, we continually push the boundaries of what's possible. Our dedication to innovation ensures that every project meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainability.
What We Offer
Cobeal provides a comprehensive suite of services, including:
- Engineering & Design: Advanced solutions for industrial systems, environmental sustainability, and cutting-edge infrastructure.
- Construction: Turnkey project delivery, encompassing every phase from feasibility studies to commissioning.
- Procurement: Strategic sourcing and supply chain management for critical equipment and materials.
- Project Management: Expertise in managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects in challenging environments.
Commitment to Sustainability
At Cobeal, we believe in building a better future through sustainable practices. Whether it's reducing environmental footprints, developing renewable energy solutions, or preserving cultural heritage, we strive to make a positive impact on the world.
Our Reach
Cobeal’s operations span 16 critical industries and multiple continents, with a proven track record of delivering successful projects in both onshore and offshore environments. Our clients include some of the largest operators in the oil & gas sector, government agencies, and private enterprises, showcasing our versatility and dedication.
A Legacy of Expansion
Building on a Foundation of Innovation
Bo Erik Gustav Hollsten Ruvalcaba, as President and Director of Engineering at the Cobeal Group, has played a pivotal role in transforming a national enterprise into a recognized leader in integrated construction services. With a career spanning decades in industrial mechanical engineering, Hollsten Ruvalcaba's contributions reflect his expertise in innovation, sustainability, and strategic growth.
Early Career and Leadership at VISA
Hollsten Ruvalcaba began his journey at Ventilación Industrial, S.A. (VISA™), where he gained hands-on experience in dehumidification and filtration technologies. As a Business Development Manager (1985-1989), he directed key departments, driving quality control and engineering advancements. His leadership catalyzed VISA’s transformation, emphasizing digital transformation and technical team management.
In 1990, Hollsten Ruvalcaba became President of VISA, significantly expanding its operations in sales, design, and manufacturing. Under his guidance, VISA grew into a leading provider of specialized environmental systems, particularly for telecommunications, healthcare, and industrial sectors. By 2004, VISA had laid the groundwork for what would later evolve into Cobeal.
International Expansion and Innovation
In 2001, Bo Erik Gustav Hollsten Ruvalcaba expanded his family’s legacy by co-founding Hollsten Industries in Windsor, California. This move marked a significant milestone, bringing the advanced filtration expertise of VISA to the United States. At Hollsten Industries, he designed, constructed, and managed a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility specializing in HEPA, ULPA, and carbon Class 100 filters, technologies critical for precision engineering and environmental control in sensitive applications.
Hollsten Industries played a crucial role in delivering cutting-edge filtration systems to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility (NIF), one of the most advanced fusion research centers in the world. These filters were vital in creating the ultra-clean environments required for nuclear fusion experiments, safeguarding both the equipment and the health of researchers. The systems ensured precise scientific conditions, extended equipment life, and maintained the integrity of experimental data.
The impact of this work was so significant that it was featured on the television program "60 Minutes", highlighting the groundbreaking research at the NIF. The feature underscored how Hollsten’s innovative systems enabled critical advancements in nuclear fusion research, including the use of lasers and highly sensitive optics that demand contamination-free environments.
Cobeal: A Vision for Growth
Since 2004, as President and Director of Engineering, Hollsten Ruvalcaba has led Cobeal’s evolution into a multi-disciplinary engineering and construction powerhouse. His leadership has been instrumental in overseeing turnkey projects across critical industries, including:
- Energy and Utilities: Developing advanced air and water filtration systems.
- Defense: Delivering military-grade environmental systems for bunkers and sensitive installations.
- Healthcare: Innovating IAQ systems to meet stringent standards in hospitals and pharmaceutical facilities.
Hollsten Ruvalcaba’s contributions have solidified Cobeal’s reputation for engineering excellence, making it a trusted name in designing scalable, efficient, and sustainable solutions.
Looking Forward
The Transformation into Offshore Excellence
Under Dr. Sophy Laughing's leadership, The Cobeal Group of Companies has evolved into a global powerhouse, extending its legacy from land-based industrial excellence to groundbreaking offshore engineering solutions. Building on the foundational work of Bo Erik Gustav Hollsten Ruvalcaba and his predecessors, Dr. Laughing spearheaded the diversification of the group into 16 critical sectors and strategically expanded its operations to include offshore applications, catering to clients across 25 countries.
Dr. Laughing's vision emphasized integrating advanced marine, renewable energy, and offshore oil and gas engineering solutions into the company's portfolio. This expansion was supported by assembling a diverse team of technical experts from around the globe, each contributing specialized knowledge in areas such as:
- Single Point Mooring Systems (SPM): Expertise in the design, fabrication, and installation of mooring solutions for floating storage units and offloading tankers, critical for remote and deepwater applications.
- Floating Offshore Solutions: Deployment of Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessels and floating LNG solutions that provide efficient and scalable energy extraction and storage in challenging environments.
- Pipeline and Subsea Engineering: Development and execution of engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCIC) projects for rigid and flexible pipelines, enabling robust subsea infrastructures.
- Mobile Offshore Production Units (MOPU): Engineering solutions tailored for shallow water oil fields, optimizing production in marginal fields with sustainable practices.
Expanding Cobeal's Global Presence
Under Dr. Laughing’s leadership, Cobeal established a significant presence in strategic markets across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company now serves some of the world's largest operators in offshore energy and infrastructure, including partnerships with major players such as ExxonMobil, PEMEX, TotalEnergies, and Brunei Shell Petroleum. This expansion reflects Cobeal's commitment to delivering turnkey offshore solutions while maintaining its core values of innovation, safety, and sustainability.
Groundbreaking Offshore Projects
Cobeal's offshore portfolio boasts major projects, including:
- Murphy Oil's 36” Pipeline EPC (Mexico): Engineering and installation of 77 km of pipeline using advanced horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technologies.
- Manora Field CALM Buoy Installation (Thailand): Complete engineering, fabrication, and installation of CALM buoys for offshore operations, executed with zero incidents across 200,000+ man-hours.
- Wassana Field Development (Thailand): EPCIC for flexible flowlines and risers, involving fast-track execution to meet client deadlines.
- Caspian Sea Upgrades: Innovative piping system upgrades for CALM buoys, ensuring operational efficiency in complex offshore environments.
Technological and Sustainable Innovations
Cobeal has demonstrated its commitment to innovation by developing proprietary technologies for critical components, including durable Product Swivel Units (PSU) and advanced mooring systems. The company has also integrated renewable energy solutions into its projects, aligning with global sustainability goals. Key achievements include:
- Supporting the monetization of stranded and flared gas fields through floating LNG technologies.
- Utilizing modular construction methods to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact in offshore operations.
Looking Forward
Today, Cobeal stands as a leader in offshore engineering and marine solutions. Its transformation into a multidisciplinary group under Dr. Sophy Laughing's leadership showcases its ability to adapt, innovate, and excel in an ever-changing global landscape. With a commitment to sustainability, cutting-edge technology, and a collaborative team of experts, Cobeal continues to redefine industry standards while contributing to the responsible development of global energy and infrastructure.