About Us - DJ Simons

Over 100 Years of DJ Simons

A business founded on the family values that remain firmly at the heart of everything we do.

DJ Simons was founded in 1800 by Davis Simons shortly after he immigrated to England from his native Russia. Driven by hard work and a passion for furniture, Davis became a manufacturer and supplier to the reproduction furniture industry. Succeeded by his son Jack and later by Jack’s own three sons, Stephen, Howard and Brian, the business evolved, entering the picture framing industry in the 1970s.

Today the fourth generation of Simons run the business, with Daniel, Anthony and Robert continuing the family’s commitment to their customers both at home and internationally and carrying on the legacy their great-grandfather began over a century ago.

Celebrating Many Milestones

We’re committed to investing our energy into evolving products that cater for the needs of our customers and their clients.

With a passion for our products, our work is truly a labour of love. It also means that we’re committed to offering our customers the very best when it comes to service and innovation. In the 1960’s we patented a revolutionary plastic frame, designed to replicate the texture and aesthetic of wood whist boasting all of the benefits of plastic. What’s more, we are immensely proud to have received the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement in 1996. We were also one of the first to introduce the concept of a one-stop-shop for framing services and supplies in the framing industry.

Industry-leading partners

We work with interior designers and industry professionals around the world.

Not only are we proud to be the UK’s only distributor for Valiani’s Mount Cutting equipment, we are major UK distributors of most leading manufacturers in the industry. We hold contracts with many valued (would remove valued as it implies some clients may not be valued!) clients including a contract with America’s largest multi-national retail corporation and fellow family-owned business, Walmart. Thanks to our strong relationships with designers around Europe, we’re able to offer customers access to new designs before almost anyone else in the market.

Large store in central London

Spread over 130,000 square feet, we have over 8000 product lines in our range.

Thanks to our ample storage space, we can store clients’ stock and offer flexible purchasing options to make sure our customers are only ever sold what they need. Our expansive store also means we’re able to offer a ‘chop service’ to cut exactly to size, therefore reduce wastage. We stock over 2,500 different picture mouldings and an extensive range of mountboard and framing sundries. Additionally, we offer an impressive selection of framing machinery products by leading brands, from Cassese to Keencut and many more.

1900january

The company was established by Davis Simons and became a manufacturer and supplier to the reproduction furniture industry. Davis was later joined by his son Jack.

1970march

The company started to sell its first batch of picture framing supplies.

1980january

The company moved into 70,000 square foot premises in Hackney Road, Shoreditch, London.

1982january

First exhibition stand at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham

1987january

A sister company called Emafyl was opened, manufacturing extruded polystyrene picture frame mouldings at a site by the Thames Barrier London, that, over time, grew to 320,000 square feet.

1990january

First edition of a printed catalogue.

1996january

– Emafyl wins the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement.