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.
OUR HISTORY
The Manhattan Project and the Foundation of Cobeal’s Innovation
After World War II (1945), the U.S. government began declassifying technologies developed during the Manhattan Project, a top-secret initiative originally created for nuclear weapons research. Among these innovations was the Absolute Filter, a groundbreaking filtration technology designed to contain hazardous biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological particles.
Recognizing the broader industrial and public health applications of this advanced technology, the U.S. government tasked the Cambridge Corporation, based in Syracuse, NY, with serving as the licensing arm of the Manhattan Project.
Cambridge Corporation's "Absolute Filter"
Cambridge Corporation issued only five worldwide licenses for the Absolute Filter, and one of these was awarded to Bo Erik Ingemar Hollsten, a Swedish mechanical engineer with extensive expertise in HVAC systems for marine engineering and critical environments.
This exclusive license laid the foundation for Hollsten’s career and the establishment of his company, Ventilación Industrial S.A. (VISA®), which would later become The Cobeal Group.
The Absolute Filter
The Absolute Filter revolutionized industrial filtration, providing the highest level of particle containment and control ever achieved. Initially developed to address the critical safety needs of nuclear research, this technology was adapted by Hollsten to improve indoor air quality and environmental control systems across a wide range of industries.
Hollsten's filtration applications spanned hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, food production, and industrial processing, ensuring sterile and sustainable environments critical to public health and industrial efficiency.
Our Founder
Bo Erik Ingemar Hollsten
Bo Erik Ingemar Hollsten was a visionary Swedish mechanical engineer whose pioneering spirit laid the foundation for Cobeal's global reputation. Born in Sweden, Hollsten’s expertise in HVAC systems and marine engineering led him from Sweden to England, where he design and engineered submarines. Hollsten later moved to the United States, to become a key contributor to the development of critical filtration and dehumidification technologies developed at the Manhattan Project, showcasing his commitment to leveraging groundbreaking innovations for civilian applications.
In 1963, Hollsten founded Ventilación Industrial S.A. (VISA), which later evolved into Cobeal. The company’s first major client was Ericsson, supporting telecommunications infrastructure development in Mexico. Over time, Cobeal expanded its expertise, taking on specialized engineering and construction projects that spanned industries such as oil and gas, energy, healthcare, and environmental conservation.
Under Hollsten’s leadership, Cobeal became synonymous with precision engineering, environmental stewardship, and innovative problem-solving. His ability to integrate cutting-edge technology with practical applications helped Cobeal set the gold standard in industrial and environmental engineering.
Hollsten's legacy lives on in Cobeal's unwavering dedication to excellence and sustainability. His contributions to the fields of engineering and environmental sciences continue to inspire future generations, solidifying Cobeal’s place as a leader in its industry.
Cobeal Leadership
Sophy M. Laughing, Ph.D., MBA - CEO / Vice Chair of the Board
Dr. Sophy M. Laughing is a multilingual executive with over 30 years of experience in engineering, infrastructure, and corporate strategy. 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.
A Legacy of Expansion
Bo Erik Gustav Hollsten - President / Chief Engineering Officer / Chair of the Board
Bo Erik Gustav Hollsten Ruvalcaba serves as President of Cobeal's LATAM operations, Chief Engineering Officer, and Vice Chair of the Board at the Cobeal Group. Bo has played a pivotal role in transforming a national enterprise into a recognized leader in integrated construction services. With a career spanning four decades in industrial mechanical engineering, Hollsten's contributions reflect his expertise in innovation, sustainability, and technical excellence.
Early Career and Leadership at VISA
Hollsten began his journey working for his father's manufacturing facilities at Ventilación Industrial, S.A. (VISA™), where he gained hands-on experience in dehumidification and filtration technologies. As VISA's Business Development Manager (1985-1989), he directed key departments, driving quality control and engineering advancements.
In 1990, Hollsten became President of VISA, significantly expanding its operations in sales, design, and manufacturing. Under his guidance, VISA expanded its manufacturing operations to five facilities and grew the company into a leading provider of specialized environmental systems, serving telecommunications, healthcare, and industrial sectors.
International Recognition
From Hollsten Industries to 60 Minutes
In 2001, Bo Erik Gustav Hollsten 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 back 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 show featured 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. By 2004, VISA had laid the groundwork for what would later evolve into Cobeal.
From the Manhattan Project to Modern LIfe
Technology for Today's Lifestyle
By integrating this cutting-edge technology into global markets, Hollsten and Cobeal not only advanced the engineering capabilities of HVAC systems but also contributed to the development of sustainable indoor environments.
These systems have become essential for modern life, supporting industries that require precise control of air quality, temperature, and humidity to meet stringent safety and efficiency standards.
Supporting Healthcare
The Absolute Filter's influence on global environmental standards cannot be overstated. It set a new benchmark for air filtration and containment systems, directly supporting advancements in healthcare (reducing hospital-acquired infections), pharmaceuticals (enabling sterile drug production), semiconductors (providing particle-free environments for chip manufacturing), and many other critical sectors.
This legacy of innovation remains embedded in Cobeal’s ethos and continues to drive the company’s mission to deliver sustainable solutions for industrial and environmental challenges worldwide.
Indoor Air Quality
Through Hollsten’s vision and the adoption of Manhattan Project technology, Cobeal not only built its reputation as a leader in engineering and construction but also helped shape the standards for environmental sustainability and indoor air quality that we rely on today.
A Trusted Name for over 60 Years
COBEAL: A VISION FOR GROWTH
Since 2004, Cobeal has evolved into a respected multi-disciplinary engineering and construction company, 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.
Cobeal has a solid reputation for engineering excellence, making it a trusted name in designing scalable, efficient, and sustainable solutions.