Stronger Together
Otto Simon Ltd • December 8, 2014
Allies for Coke Making Excellence: Otto Simon acquires John M Henderson.
Otto Simon is delighted to announce that we have formally executed an Asset Purchase Agreement with John M Henderson & Co Limited, acting through its joint Administrators, Blair Nimmo and Geoff Jacobs of KPMG LLP, to successfully acquire the John M Henderson Coke Oven Machinery technology and expertise.
The acquisition brings together two names with long and distinguished histories dating back to the 19th century and a common vision of providing outstanding competence in the coke and steel sectors.
The John M Henderson technology, developed and perfected during more than sixty years of R&D innovation, is the world’s leading coke oven machinery technology with more than 200 successful machinery projects completed worldwide.
The John M Henderson brand will be retained together with a core team of machine experts and continue its long established presence in the coke making industry, providing best available coke oven machinery solutions to coke plants worldwide. The business will operate as an independent entity out of newly established offices in Forfar, Scotland.
Sister company Otto Simon Limited is a leading process led consultancy and project delivery organisation with a proud heritage and distinguished track record of success and expertise in the coke and steel sectors in its own right.
The combined skills, knowledge and experience of Otto Simon and John M Henderson will be leveraged to create 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.
Commenting on the acquisition, Steve Haywood, the Chairman of Otto Simon Holdings, said: “I am extremely pleased that we have been able to acquire the John M Henderson technology and key staff. The synergies with Otto Simon Ltd in the UK and our proud association with Thyssen Krupp Industrial Solutions will enable JMH to be even more successful in the future and ensure that the latest technology for oven machines is always available to coke plants around the world.”
Blair Nimmo, head of restructuring for KPMG in Scotland and Joint Administrator, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to sell a key part of the business which has not only generated employment in the Angus region but also helps maximise opportunities for businesses throughout the United Kingdom. We wish Otto Simon every success for the future”.
Gary McCombie, Managing Director of John M Henderson Machines Ltd, said: “John M Henderson and Otto Simon are an exceptionally good match, with aligned strategic visions and a shared culture of providing engineering excellence, innovation and customer success in the coke and steel sectors. We are stronger together than we were as individual entities.”
About the John M Henderson Technology
The John M Henderson coke oven machines are widely recognized as “Best Available Technology”, because of their pollution control performance, maximum reliability, ease of maintenance and minimum operating costs.
With near 150 years of expertise in Engineering Design, Manufacturing and Installation, and a proud track record of more than 200 Coke Oven Machines successfully completed worldwide, John M Henderson technology delivers a powerful combination of Fully Manless Operation with Total Environmental Control, each machine tailored to meet customer’s specific configuration and requirements.
For more information, visit the John M Henderson Webpage.
Back to Blog
Show More
Recent Blog Posts
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 .