About Us

ABOUT SIMMONS ENGINEERING COMPANY

Simmons Engineering Company is the leading manufacturer of automated poultry stunning and killing machines in the United States with a global reputation for excellence. Simmons stunning and killing systems have been installed on every continent except Antarctica.

A progressive entrepreneur, Lacy W. Simmons (pictured) started the company in 1964, when he saw a need for an efficient and low-cost alternative to manual killing. Lacy designed and produced the first successful automatic poultry killing machine in 1966—revolutionizing the poultry slaughter process.

To this day, the Simmons automatic killing machine is still the standard by which all others are measured.

When the industry was in need of an efficient method of anesthetizing birds, Simmons again came through by designing the most effective stunning machine in production—a machine that continues to be used today. Simmons continued to further poultry processing automation with the release of a full line of automated processing machines, from stunners to bird washers.

The Progression of Engineering Excellence

In February 1998, Simmons Engineering Company became as S.E.C. Incorporated. While the name was altered, the company continues to strive to be reactive to the ever-changing market place specializing in the stunning and killing process. Simmons has moved far ahead of the competition since they introduced the first Stunner. The original Stunner was equipped with a patented alternating combination current; today custom-built Stunners are available to satisfy specific line speed and orientation.

Simmons SK-5 Killer performs like no other with revolving restraining rolls, a molded plastic wheel, and factory built guide bars assuring that birds of different sizes are placed in the best position for accurate cuts. Simmons Electrical Stimulator on a well-stunned bird can also improve bleeding of birds, accelerate rigor, and reduce fecal contamination in evisceration. Beyond quality products, Simmons is also skilled in the installation, operation and maintenance of stunning, killing, post-stunning and electrical stimulation systems.

Simmons strives to be a dynamic innovator in the ever-changing market place worldwide. We continue to uphold the quality and simplicity that the company has stood by for over 45 years.

COMPANY HISTORY

1964

Lacy W. Simmons started Simmons Engineering Company

1965

Introduced first USDA-approved automatic gizzard machine

1966

Designed and produced first automatic poultry killing machine

1969

Provided precision sharpening and notching for circular blades with the rotary knife sharpener

1980

Expanded to Latin America

1985

Introduced first electrically adjusted stunner, now industry standard

1998

Simmons Technique of alternating current released