While the history of Paterson Simons dates back to the 1800s, where the company grew to become a behemoth of the Singaporean trade routes, leveraging off of critical relationships it had established with Malaysian royal family, the company we know today as Paterson Simons (Africa) Ltd. is relatively speaking younger, turning a sprightly 70 years young last month.
Incorporated in 1948 as Paterson Simons (Africa) Ltd., and the company established a number of trading subsidiaries; and traded in a wide, and at times exotic, array of goods such as skins and hides, tin, oil, cotton, windows, tractors, industrial equipment and even turkey tails in regions from West and North Africa to Singapore and the Middle East.
In 1984, a management buy-out proposal was mooted by Managing Director, Edward Lyne, and the company was bought by the partnership outright – beginning a productive era of private ownership that continues to this day.
In May, 2018 Paterson Simons (Africa) Ltd. celebrated its 70th birthday with a modest, yet happy celebration with staff in the Brighton head office. John Traynor, Managing Director, said of the occasion, “It is a remarkable testament to the company’s tenacity to be celebrating 70 years. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all staff, past and present, who have contributed to our success, as well as our loyal customers for their ongoing support.”