History of Otto Simon

Henry Simon was a Prussian born engineer who moved to the United Kingdom in 1860 and revolutionised the flouring milling industry with the introduction of the rolling flour milling plant.

 In 1878, Henry Simon turned his interest towards the transformation of a second industrial process; revolutionising the manufacture of coke. Whilst visiting the Besseges works at Terrenoire, Simon spotted the potential for the coke oven business in development by Francois Carves. He secured the patent rights for the innovative technology and established ‘Simon Carves’ with the aim of implementing the new technology across the UK.

In 1896 the Simon Carves Bye-Products Coke Oven Construction and Working Company Ltd was incorporated. The company’s aim was to construct coke ovens and associated tar and benzol distillers, as well as carrying out maintenance and improvement works of any tramways, railway branches, sliding, bridges, reservoirs, canals, docks, wharves, water courses, hydraulic works, gas works, electric works, and utilities associated with coke oven plants.

In the early 1900s the company expanded into Coal Washeries, and by 1935 Simon Carves had built more than 200 washeries across the UK and around the world.

Otto Simon Carves (OSC) was formed in 1974 by the merger of the British Simon Carves Group, and Dr C Otto & Comp. GmbH of Germany.

Each company had almost 100 years of experience in the design and construction of coke ovens and by-products plants, and had collaborated of numerous projects over the preceding 50 years. The formation of OSC was the next logical step in combining their knowledge and experience. OSC retained the staff and know-how of Simon Carves coke oven division and was supported by Dr C Otto’s full technology and worldwide resources.

OSC’s range of technology included: complete coke plants, coal preheating plants and associated equipment, gasification of coal, and acid pickling plants. They delivered projects from basic design to turnkey EPC basis, supported by the world-wide network of Otto and Simon Carves associated companies, across the globe.

In 1989, OSC became a subsidiary of Thyssen, and changed its name to OSC Process Engineering Ltd. The company continued to operate out of the UK and provided process-led engineering services for projects in the coal and coke, water treatment and thermal processing sectors. 

Around in this time, Thyssen also acquired Carl Still’s coke oven company. Carl Still had been employed as a junior engineer by Dr. C Otto & Comp. before founding his own company in 1898. When Thyssen merged with Krupp in 1999 to become ThyssenKrupp, it resulted in the combination of all coke making technologies and activities under one group company.

In 2004 OSC’s legacy of know-how and experience was transferred into Otto Simon Ltd. Now a privately owned engineering consultancy and project delivery organisation, Otto Simon continues to develop its distinguished track record of proven success in the coke/steel, industrial and financial sectors.

Over the course of time Otto Simon Ltd has developed an enviable capability and expertise in a broad range of processes and the application of advanced technology in the coke/steel, renewables, waste, biomass, biofuels, energy, petrochemical, water and refinery sectors. Otto Simon has earned particular recognition for being one of industries leading authorities in the assessment and application of thermal processes, associated gas clean-up and liquid treatment.

Otto Simon successfully acquired John M Henderson in 2014, bringing together the long and distinguished histories of two companies both dating back to the 19th century, with outstanding capabilities in the coke and steel sectors.

John M Henderson is a world leader in the design and supply of specialised machines.

The combined skills, knowledge and experience of Otto Simon and John M Henderson provides a strong presence in the UK coke and steel making sectors, increasing the range and depth of service offering to cover all aspects of coke production from by–products and coke ovens to state-of-the-art coke oven machinery.

Utilising the knowledge and experience of individuals within the Otto Simon Group, Otto Simon Chemicals was founded in 2016 to provide specialist services for polymer and petrochemical projects.

 Working with technology providers and processes in the Polyolefin and Petrochemical Industries, Otto Simon Chemicals delivers projects for our clients across the globe. Visit their website today, for more information about how they can support your project needs.

In 2019, ownership of Otto Simon Limited was transferred into an Employee Owned Trust. 

This is an exciting new development for Otto Simon which will bring many benefits to our clients and to our employees.