Simmons & Company International

Simmons & Company International (SCI) was conceived in early 1974 by Matthew R. Simmons and opened its doors for business in May 1974. Focused from the start on the oil service industry, the firm enjoyed the sometimes frantic growth of that industry through 1981. During that period, the firm’s clients were primarily small- to medium-sized companies whose owners had decided it was time to sell. Thus, the preponderance of Simmons & Company's investment banking business during that period was merger and acquisition work. By the end of 1981 the firm had grown from three principals and one secretary to a 13-person company.