Blog
Welcome to the Otto Simon Blog
Here you'll find information on a wide variety of topics, ranging from our attendance at industry events, fundraising activities, topical news articles and our operational achievements. Be sure to check back regularly for updates.
Otto Simon recently attended the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA) annual conference in Westminster, London, a key event for the hydrogen industry. The conference featured a keynote speech by Sarah Jones, UK Government Minister of State for Industry and Net Zero , highlighting the government's commitment to this crucial sector. Our team had the invaluable opportunity to hear directly from industry-leading hydrogen experts , gaining first-hand insights into the latest policies and government funding initiatives. This direct access to information is vital for staying at the forefront of hydrogen advancements. Congratulations to Clive Mansfield and Clare Dunkerley from our team, who actively participated in the networking sessions, engaging in discussions about hydrogen and safety —a critical aspect of our work. They also gathered useful information that will directly benefit our ongoing hydrogen projects.
Here at Otto Simon, we're committed to staying at the forefront of safety and compliance in Process Plant projects. That's why two of our seasoned principal engineers, Mike Wray and Mike Westerman, recently attended a crucial refresher course on machinery regulations at the HSE Science and Research Centre. In the world of Process Plant projects, it's common to encounter machinery assemblies where vendors don't provide a declaration of conformity. With the recent publication of the new EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230/EU, it's more important than ever to be on top of the latest guidelines. This ensures we can continue to offer our UK-based clients the best advice on their responsibilities and how to apply conformity assessments when machinery risks are present. This applies to both new equipment and the repurposing of existing machinery. Considering there are over 800 standards related to machinery design, our approach is meticulous. We utilise a thorough hazard identification process to carefully evaluate risks and implement best practice safety mitigations in all our designs. This proactive approach helps us ensure the highest level of safety for your projects. Please get in touch for assistance.
Prime Minister, Kier Starmer visits St Helens, Merseyside today as he paid a visit to the Glass Futures facility! The Prime Minister spoke to workers at the facility this morning, Thursday, May 29 during a visit. “Can I just start by thanking those that work here for showing me this morning what you do, showing me the skills that you have, telling me a bit about what goes on here and the incredible history. “If I’ve understood what you’ve told me glass has been made on this very site for the best part of 250 years." “I think Pilkington may have been running the business before, and we can actually just see Pilkington out there so for you to be continuing with Glass Futures, very apt name, working here is fantastic and I can see how proud you are of what you do, each of you contributing with your different skills to what is happening here." The Labour politician added: “As I’ve said many, many, times you can read a briefing in London or you can come and see the workforce and come and see the people with the real skills and understand what they’re doing and thank you for allowing me to do the second of those as I’ve got a really good sense of what you’re doing here, how you’re doing it and the incredible way you’re doing it, each of you contributing in your own way and I can see that pride.” The £54m innovative research and technology facility was opened in Peasley Cross in 2023, at the former United Glass site. The mission is to help decarbonise the global glass industry by pioneering ways of making carbon-neutral glass.
What a month it's been! We're absolutely thrilled to announce that the building move and refresh we kicked off at the end of April is now complete. It's been a busy few weeks, and the results are splendid. Our aim with the building consolidation was to create a more united, efficient, and welcoming environment for everyone, and we believe we've achieved just that. Coming together in one building has allowed us to hone our internal layout by making better use of the existing footprint and enhance the flow throughout the space. One of the most noticeable changes you’ll see right away is our brand-new reception area. Our new reception is bright, modern, and designed to provide a warm welcome to our visitors. It truly reflects the professionalism and forward-thinking spirit of our organisation. But that's not all; we've also added two brand-new meeting rooms on the top floor and refreshed the team break-out area. In today's collaborative world, having dedicated and well-equipped spaces for discussions, hot-desking, and client meetings is more crucial than ever, perfect for fostering productivity and innovation. The building work did at times cause a little disruption, and we appreciate our teams’ patience and understanding while these improvements were underway. So, please get in touch, and let us welcome you in! We're incredibly excited about this transformation and believe these enhancements will benefit our day-to-day operations, foster better collaboration, and provide an even more positive experience for both our team and our valued guests. Here's to a new chapter in our cherished United House office in South Manchester!
Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 At Otto Simon, we understand that mental health is an essential component of overall well-being and a foundation for a resilient, productive, and innovative workforce. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a workplace culture that prioritises employee happiness, empathy, and support for every member of our team. In the engineering industry, where precision, problem-solving, and collaboration are critical to success, mental wellness is not just a personal matter—it is a professional imperative. We understand that the challenges our employees face, both on and off the job, can significantly impact their ability to perform and thrive. Throughout this week and beyond, we are dedicated to: · Promoting open dialogue about mental health to reduce stigma. · Providing access to professional mental health resources and support services. · Encouraging work-life balance and sustainable workloads. · Equipping leaders and managers with tools to support their teams with compassion and care. We thank our team for their continued dedication and resilience. Let us use this week as a reminder that taking care of our mental health is not a sign of weakness, but a measure of strength. Together, we will continue to build an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed, both personally and professionally.
The air in the office is buzzing with more than just morning coffee today – it's electric with the excitement of new beginnings! We're thrilled to officially announce that the refurbishment of our newly consolidated United House office building has kicked off! This marks a significant milestone for us as we bring together our team under one roof. By sharing one building we can reduce overheads, invest in new facilities and maintain our valued location right here in Cheadle, Manchester. This amalgamation isn't just about combining physical spaces; it's about weaving together our collective talents, fostering closer team working, and building an even more vibrant and unified company culture. So, let the transformation begin! We're incredibly excited about this new chapter and look forward to sharing the journey with all of you. Stay tuned for more updates as our new, united office takes shape!
Presenting at Energy Storage & Hydrogen Solutions Last month, our Head of Consultancy, Clare Dunkerley, was invited to speak at an event in Cyprus, hosted by Ideopsis and the British High Commission Nicosia. The Energy Storage & Solutions Conference brought together leading experts, policymakers, and industry players, with the aim of to fostering dialogue, sharing expertise, and catalysing action towards a more sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon future. The conference attracted some esteemed speakers, including introductory addresses from the Deputy High Commissioner, Adam Sandbrook and the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, George Papanastasiou. The programme was split into 2 sessions with the first highlighting the future of energy storage, moderated by Dr Alexandros Charalambides from the Cyprus University of Technology. Staveros Stavrinos, the Executive Director of the Transmission System Operator Cyprus, explained the issues the Cyprus Energy Transmission System faced, concentrating on curtailment of renewable solar power. Michael Toumbas, of EV power Ltd, shared innovative thinking around an AI enabled electric vehicle local grid power sharing mechanism. There were also great presentations from smart grid expert Dr Andreas Procopiou and the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority. The second session concentrated on hydrogen solutions. Dr Andreas Poullikkas delivered on future energy systems while Charles Purkiss updated us on the latest developments at ITM Power. Jeremy Bowman, from Hypermotive Ltd, discussed hydrogen technology for transport and Philippa Oldham shared some work from the Advanced Propulsion Centre. An interesting Q&A session was chaired by Dr Nestor Fylaktos of the Cyprus Institute. Clare presented ‘A Safe Hydrogen Future’, addressing the importance of public perception and the imperative for no major incidents. Clare shared her experience from working on hydrogen projects and provided an insight in how to use the current UK regulatory framework in conjunction with industry codes and standards to demonstrate that risks in hydrogen projects were acceptable to all concerned. It was a fascinating conference providing a fantastic insight to the current and future energy situation in Cyprus, with plenty of time for networking and discussing hydrogen solutions and projects with all the attendees. Our thanks go to Ideopsis and the British High Commission in Nicosia for the invitation and opportunity to participate in the discussions.
Taking Safety Seriously at Otto Simon We’re proud to celebrate the achievement of our Head of Construction and Commissioning, Hugh Doble, who has recently earned his NEBOSH Certificate in Health and Safety Management for Construction. Hugh has been instrumental in the successful delivery of multiple EPC and EPCm contracts across various sectors nationwide. Our continued commitment to excellence and safety underscores the core values we uphold at Otto Simon — ensuring the wellbeing of our people and partners on every project. Congratulations Hugh! To learn more about how Otto Simon can support your Construction and Commissioning needs, get in touch with us at eng@ottosimon.co.uk .
Standards Development: PAS 4445:2025 for Hydrogen-Fired Equipment The future of energy is undeniably leaning towards hydrogen, a clean and versatile fuel poised to revolutionise industrial and commercial operations, which is required to take place within 25 years to meet the country’s net zero targets. Today, we are proud to celebrate both our contribution to, and the publication of, Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 4445:2025, hydrogen-fired equipment. The publication is a significant step forward in ensuring the safe and effective integration of hydrogen-fired equipment into industrial and commercial applications. This standard will play a crucial role in fostering confidence and driving innovation. Otto Simon’s Support: In early 2024, BSI invited Otto Simon Ltd. to provide expert technical representation on the Steering Group for the development of the fifth publication in the PAS series concerning hydrogen appliance/equipment fuel gas. This initiative builds upon the four preceding publications, which focused on the transition to hydrogen as a replacement for natural gas within the UK's domestic and small business sectors. The fifth publication, PAS 4445:2025, expands the scope to address the implementation of hydrogen in larger, more complex industrial applications, necessitating significant deviations from established domestic installation practices. Mike Wray, Principal Mechanical Engineer at Otto Simon, joined the Steering Group, contributing alongside technical representatives from diverse industrial equipment suppliers, end-users, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Throughout the second half of 2024, the group convened to provide technical guidance and input into the publication's development. Mike Wray's expertise, gained from his involvement in the Keele University HyDeploy project plus numerous industrial fuel switching trials as part of the HyNet North West UK Hydrogen network and CCUS projects, proved to be invaluable. Under the proficient leadership of Beverley Goodchild (BSI), who effectively managed group discussions and maintained focus on achieving a successful outcome, the Steering Group finalized PAS 4445:2025, "Hydrogen fired equipment for use in industrial and commercial (non-domestic) settings – Code of Practice." This publication, released in late March 2025, aims to establish a robust technical framework for fuel gas users and equipment suppliers transitioning to low or zero-carbon fuel utilisation in their operational processes and system designs. Why PAS 4445:2025 is Significant: The use of hydrogen, while promising, requires meticulous handling and infrastructure. PAS 4445:2025 provides a comprehensive framework to: · Prioritise Safety: Establishing stringent safety protocols for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of hydrogen-fired equipment. · Optimise Efficiency: Promoting best practices to maximise the performance of hydrogen utilisation · Minimise Risks: Addressing potential hazards associated with hydrogen storage, handling, and combustion. · Standardise Practices: Providing clear and consistent guidelines for organisations across the hydrogen equipment value chain. · Enable Industry Growth: Fostering confidence and accelerating the adoption of hydrogen technologies. Who Will Benefit from PAS 4445:2025? This PAS is vital for a wide range of stakeholders, including: · Manufacturers of hydrogen-fired equipment. · Industrial and commercial users of hydrogen technologies. · Engineering and construction firms. · Safety and regulatory bodies. · Hydrogen infrastructure developers. · Insurance providers. By developing the guidelines in PAS 4445:2025, Otto Simon has further demonstrated its commitment to safety, its technical understanding and continuing contribution to the hydrogen economy.