Otto Simon Holdings of Cheadle, near Manchester, has made its first acquisition, in a move that could help the company to double its £10 million turnover.

It has acquired Scottish engineering company John M Henderson’s coke-oven machinery technology and expertise, which ensures the survival of the long-established brand, and has re-employed some John M Henderson staff at a new office in Forfar.

Steve Haywood, chairman of Otto Simon, said he believes that the acquisition will add £5-10 million to his company’s annual revenues. “There are great synergies between Otto Simon and John M Henderson. I am confident that this
acquisition will prove to be of great benefit in expanding our business, both in the UK and overseas.

“The combined skills, knowledge and expertise of the staff — together with a shared culture of providing engineering excellence, innovation and high levels of customer service — will make us a much more powerful proposition in the coke and steel sectors.”

John M Henderson, which went into administration last October, has been involved in more than 200 coke-oven
machinery projects world-wide.

Otto Simon specialises in engineering consultancy services, as well as design, procurement and project management
for schemes in the coke and steel, energy, renewables, water and petrochemical industries.