History

1925:

The company is founded by Karl Simon Jr. It electroplates components for the clock and watchmaking industry.

1967:

Carbide production is added to the Simon range of products and services.

1972:

The company’s own sintering operation is set up.

1974:

Siku, a plastics processing operation based in Switzerland, joins the group.

1981:

Betek Bergbau- und Hartmetalltechnik (Mining and Carbide Engineering) is founded.

1989:

Sitek, a manufacturer of studs, milling blades and carbide powder, is founded.

1992:

The Simon Group becomes part of Indus Holding AG of Bergisch Gladbach.

1995 - 2007:

Continual expansion of production facilities.

2008:

The group achieves turnover of €150m, employs around 450 people and continues to expand.

2009:

New buildings for tool making in Aichhalden and for Siku synthetic injection-moulded parts in Switzerland.
The tool making workers move into their new building, which provides total space of 2,400m². The Simon Systems division is set up as a profit centre.

2010:

In June, the new building at Siku in Switzerland is finished and staff move in. It provides space of 860m². The group achieves turnover of €170m and employs a workforce of 480.

2011:

Plans are in place to expand tungsten carbide production at Betek.
Restructuring of the Betek corporate name into BETEK GmbH und Co. KG is completed in April. Work is also ongoing on major modernisation and investment in equipment at the sintering and electroplating divisions. Siku’s new building is officially opened in June and shown off to the public at an open day.