Who we are
We are a smart, dynamic company of problem solvers who enjoy punching above our weight.
Headquartered in the UK, you will find us solving lifting problems throughout West and Central Africa.
With almost 80 years of experience Paterson Simons & Co. (Africa) Ltd. specialises in sales and service of lifting and handling equipment with a focus on the port, mining and oil industries in West and Central Africa.
We represent a number of key manufacturers and all our sales come with a full working manufacturer’s warranty and are backed up by a first-class service team based in subsidiary offices in the region.
From engineers in the field, to sales teams, parts managers, admin assistants and logistics managers (and everyone in between) you’ll find us passionate about solving your lifting problems.
Board of Directors: (L-R) JOHN TRAYNOR: Managing Director, Group Sales, JAMES SAVOY: Group Technical Director, STEVE BAKER: Financial Director, Group Finance, EDWARD LYNE: Non-Executive Director, HENRY LYNE: Owner & CEO and KWAKU OKOH: Managing Director Pasico Ghana Ltd. (Our Ghana Subsidiary)
Our Purpose, Vision, Values and Mission
Purpose:
Providing Exceptional Lifting Solutions Across West & Central Africa
Paterson Simons' purpose is to build a great, industry-leading group, empowering progress and safety in our region's industries using lifting and handling equipment. We passionately believe that customers in West and Central Africa should have top-quality lifting and handling equipment along with first-class support services. Excellence in support services encompasses all aspects of the customer experience, from equipment and parts availability and delivery to logistics support, technical support, and maintenance services. We are committed to enhancing operational reliability for our customers through a rewarding partnership approach that includes innovative solutions, trusted advice, and a dedication to service excellence.
Vision:
To be the most trusted and innovative partner for premium lifting equipment solutions, empowering our customers through safe, integrated, and value-added services that elevate industries, transform communities, and drive the region’s progress. Providing a lifetime of support to happy customers.
Values:
PSAL Professionalism Key Values
Business professionalism relies on six core values:
- Integrity: Adhering to ethical principles, honesty, and accountability to build credibility.
- Loyalty: Supporting stakeholders and fostering enduring relationships through commitment and mutual respect.
- Reputation: Maintaining a positive perception through consistent excellence and ethical actions.
- Trust: Building dependable relationships through reliability, transparency, and fairness.
- Ownership: Take personal responsibility for delivering tasks in a way that is timely and effective and help others do the same.
- Knowledge: Establish an excellent understanding of the industry, our business and the job role and proactively look to expand this; insights to be shared and applied effectively.
These values are interconnected, creating a foundation for ethical and sustainable professional success.
Mission:
At Paterson Simons, our mission is to empower progress and safety across Africa by delivering exceptional lifting and handling solutions.
We achieve our vision by:
- Providing Exceptional Lifting Solutions: We supply top-quality lifting and handling equipment, ensuring our customers benefit from industry-leading products and services.
- Delivering First-Class Support: Our commitment to excellence covers every aspect of the customer experience, including equipment and parts availability, logistics, technical support, and maintenance services.
- Building Rewarding Partnerships: We enhance operational reliability for our customers through collaborative relationships, innovative solutions, and trusted advice.
- Prioritising Safety: We uphold the highest safety standards in every solution and service, protecting our customers, their teams, and the communities we serve.
- Maximising Local Resources: We invest in local talent, suppliers, and partnerships, fostering sustainable growth and capacity within the region.
- Developing and Empowering Managers: We develop our Managers to take ownership and develop their responsibilities, releasing their full potential.
- Respecting All Cultures: We tailor our services to reflect and respect the diverse cultures of everyone we interact with, ensuring our approach is always relevant and inclusive.
- Upholding Core Values: Integrity, loyalty, reputation, trust and ownership form the foundation of our professional success, guiding our actions and relationships.
History
Paterson Simons was established in the 1850s. One of the founders, William Ker, developed a close personal relationship with the Temenggong of Johore and was entrusted with managing his finances in 1853. This relationship granted Ker and his partners, William Paterson and Henry Minchin Simons, special business privileges.
The company traded a diverse range of commodities, such as camphor, vanilla, cinnamon, fish products, tin, coffee, rubber, pearls, and gutta percha - which was in high demand for submarine cables and tin mining. Eventually, the partnership changed its name to Paterson, Simons & Company in 1859 after Ker retired.
The company developed extensive port interests in Singapore, Port Klang and Penang and in 1899 formed a joint partnership with the Tanjar Pangong Dock Company to run the port of Johor.
The company remained active in shipping, maritime, and property insurance and acted as agents for the East India Coal Company and various shipping lines. It was acquired by Wood Hall Trust in the 1960s.
In 1990, the company underwent a management buy-out, and today it is a UK-based limited company specializing in sales, rental, and servicing of heavy lifting equipment throughout West and Central Africa.
Affiliate Companies
Paterson Simons & Co. (Africa) Ltd.
Head quartered and registered in the UK, and is the parent company of a number of “on-the-ground” subsidiaries in West and Central Africa.
Pasico Ghana Ltd.
The Ghana-based and majority-owned sales and service hub for all of the Paterson Simons lifting equipment brands with branches in Tema and Takoradi. Pasico is also the base for the Group CIT division offering premier safety training and inspections for all lifting equipment and can certify equipment across all major safety regulations (LOLER, OSHA, Ghana Safety Regulator, ANSI and ASME).
Paterson Simons & Company Nigeria Ltd.
Wholly owned Nigeria-based (Apapa) subsidiary of Paterson Simons & Co. selling and servicing lifting equipment into Nigeria.
Paterson Simons & Co. Togo SARL U
Opened in 2014, the company is a dedicated lifting solutions and service provider for the Togo market.
Paterson Simons & Co. Cameroun SARL U
Opened in 2022, the company is a dedicated lifting solutions and service provider for the Cameroon market.
Legal
Please download various terms and conditions here:
Terms & Conditions for the PURCHASE of goods.
Terms & Conditions for the SUPPLY of goods & services
Terms & Conditions for the USE of the Paterson Simons website
Paterson Simons Cookie Policy Terms of Use
QHS Management System Group Policy
Our Policy Commitments
Paterson Simons Group is committed to maintaining an effective integrated Quality and Occupational Health & Safety Management System that supports our strategic direction and reflects our values.
Quality Excellence
We commit to:
- Consistently providing products and services that meet or exceed customer, statutory and regulatory requirements
- Ensuring quality is embedded throughout the full customer experience—from specification and supply to logistics, commissioning, service and maintenance
- Establishing and reviewing measurable quality objectives to drive performance and customer satisfaction
- Continually improving the effectiveness of our Quality Management System to sustain excellence and reliability.
Health & Safety Leadership
We commit to:
- Providing safe and healthy working conditions to prevent work‑related injury and ill health
- Upholding the highest safety standards in every solution and service to protect our employees, customers, their teams and the communities we serve
- Proactively identifying hazards, eliminating risks where practicable, and reducing residual risks through effective controls
- Fulfilling all applicable legal and other occupational health and safety requirements
- Continuously improving our health and safety performance and management system.
People, Participation and Culture
Guided by our core values of Integrity, Loyalty, Reputation, Trust, Ownership and Knowledge, we commit to:
- Consulting with and encouraging the active participation of workers and their representatives in quality and safety matters
- Developing and empowering our managers and teams to take ownership and accountability for quality and safety outcomes
- Investing in competence, knowledge and leadership to ensure informed decision‑making and safe working practices
- Creating a culture where concerns related to quality or safety can be raised without fear of reprisal.
Responsible and Sustainable Growth
We commit to:
- Building strong local capability by developing local talent, suppliers and partnerships
- Respecting and adapting to the diverse cultures of the communities in which we operate
- Acting ethically and transparently to maintain our reputation as a trusted, long‑term partner.
Implementation and Communication
This policy:
- Is established and endorsed by top management
- Is documented, implemented and maintained as part of the Paterson Simons Integrated QH&S Management System
- Is communicated, understood and applied at all levels of the organization
- Is available to relevant interested parties, as appropriate
- Is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains relevant to our purpose, context and strategic direction.
