Blending tradition with engineering spirit

For centuries, the craft and skill that goes into every piece of equipment crafted by McMillan has been refined and nurtured. 

Global Technical Centre (GTC)

1732


The year BRIGGS’ rich legacy began, forming centuries of engineering excellence.

500+


The number of capital projects executed by Briggs of Burton across the globe, showcasing their global reach and expertise.

+£50 million


The scale of EPC projects the business has been involved in over the last decade across the food, beverage, and life sciences industries.

Briggs of Burton is a global leader in process engineering projects for the food, beverage, and life sciences industries. The company has its head quarters in the UK, where it has been operating since 1732. The company’s Global Technical Centre is located in Burton on Trent, a town with a rich heritage of brewing and hygienic process engineering. 

The UK headquarters is home to our sales and engineering teams, providing a one-stop shop for customers seeking process systems and projects. It also benefits from a production and logistics hub that can build and handle a range projects sizes and complexity. The site also has a dedicated Pre-assembled Systems Area (PSA), where Briggs of Burton designs and builds bespoke process solutions for the food, beverage, and life sciences industries. The PSA facility is equipped with dedicated working bays and uses digital drawings to assemble and integrate modular process units. 

Briggs of Burton for distilleries

  • Contact us today

    Learn more about our customised solutions and how we can help your business grow and thrive with our project delivery focus and bespoke process systems.

A focus on the future

Our state-of-the-art Pre-Assembled Systems Area (PSA) is located at our Global Technical Centre.

Briggs of Burton’s (BRIGGS) latest development in building process systems is marked by a new state-of-the-art clean assembly manufacturing facility at its Burton-on-Trent headquarters. This continued investment forms part of a broader multi‑year programme including the Global Technical Centre and more recently a new Logistics Hub.

The PSA was established to allow the company to build its customers’ next factory in its new dedicated space, providing one location for clients to visit, see modules being built, and complete Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT). This off-site construction approach helps minimise installation time on site. The PSA itself introduces an expansive 890 m² hygienic clean-production area, featuring six assembly bays and crucial equipment storage. This facility will serve as the central hub for constructing hygienic modular skid units vital for the food, beverage, and life sciences industries across the UK, Europe, and North America. Furthermore, upgraded welfare facilities and a larger outdoor space will enhance the production team’s well‑being, reflecting the company’s values and ongoing commitment to sustainability.

BRIGGS is continuing to focus and diversify into Life Sciences with its modular mixing systems, building on its reputation in the pharmaceutical industry and its track-record as one of the first to develop pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) mixing systems for manufacturing drugs that treat respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. BRIGGS has been at the forefront of delivering systems that support a greener future through shifts in propellants used in pMDI drug delivery. A key part of the Life Sciences focus is also the relaunch of the GIUSTI brand, long recognised for its high-quality finish, reliable mixing vessels, and systems that are built to last.

BRIGGS Inc. – New York, USA

40


Celebrating over four decades of working across North America with two dedicated hubs in Rochester, NY and Louisville, KY

$37m 


Largest brewing project delivered by our US team for ABI Cartersville

5 years


Delivering feasibility studies, site master plans and expansion projects across Kentucky and Tennessee

Briggs of Burton, Inc. is a leading process engineering company in the field of food, beverage, and life sciences projects, with a long history of delivering projects across North America. Since our founding in 1983, we have completed projects in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, serving some of the most renowned brands in the industry.

We have two sales and engineering hubs in Rochester, NY and Louisville, KY, where we leverage our expertise and innovation to provide customized solutions for our clients. We are proud of our legacy brands such as GIUSTI, Pfaulder and Schock-Gusmer, which have set the standards for quality and performance in the market. We are always looking for new opportunities and challenges to showcase our capabilities and expand our reach. 

Brewing and distilling in USA, Canada, and Mexico

  • Contact us today

    Learn more about our customised solutions and how we can help your business grow and thrive with our project delivery focus and bespoke process systems.

An all-American spirit

In the vast and diverse landscape of the United States, the distilled spirits market has seen remarkable growth and transformation over the years.

Pouring Kentucky bourbon

The impact of Kentucky on the distilled spirits market is notable across the entire country. Bourbon’s popularity has soared, becoming a symbol of American craftsmanship and heritage. Iconic brands like Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, and Wild Turkey have become household names, resonating with consumers far beyond the state’s borders. Tourists flock to Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, a collection of distilleries that offer a glimpse into the centuries-old tradition of bourbon-making, fueling a robust bourbon tourism industry.  

In the ever-evolving landscape of American spirits, Briggs of Burton has been an integral part of that journey for the past four decades. With roots firmly planted in North America, we’ve played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the distilling industry.

Our dedicated team in Kentucky brings a wealth of experience and engineering excellence. Their mission is to deliver large Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects that not only meet but exceed expectations. Our specialization and capabilities extend beyond this, supported by a strong track record in Site Master Planning and Front-End Loading (FEL 0-4) engineering studies.

Our commitment to being local to our customers is what sets us apart. It’s not just about being in the right place; it’s about understanding the unique challenges and opportunities that each region offers. We’ve been instrumental in supporting major Bourbon whiskey producers like Jim Beam and Heaven Hill in their efforts to expand production and address sustainability challenges head-on.

Through considerate and practical Site Master Planning and comprehensive Feasibility Studies, we’ve helped these industry leaders make informed decisions. We’re not just engineers; we’re partners in progress, guiding the path to sustainable growth.

So, as you raise a glass of Bourbon whiskey with your friends and family, take a moment to reflect on the hidden ingredient behind its excellence – the collaborative spirit and innovation of Briggs of Burton.

Asia Pacific

30 million


Litres of pure alcohol, largest grain whisky distillery delivered in the APAC region

20,000 litres


Largest McMillan Coppersmiths whisky pot still supplied to the APAC region

3 million


Litres of pure alcohol, largest malt whisky distillery delivered in the APAC region

Briggs of Burton is a global leader in the design and installation of brewing and distilling equipment. We have successfully delivered projects in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and China, working with both large-scale and craft producers.

installation of brewing and distilling equipment

  • Contact us today

    Learn more about our customised solutions and how we can help your business grow and thrive with our project delivery focus and bespoke process systems.

Our major achievements across this region include:

  • Building state-of-the-art breweries for major clients in Australia. 
  • Expanding the capabilities of our existing customers by supplying them with our innovative BrewStillery™ system, which allows them to produce spirits with their brewing equipment. 
  • Exporting high-quality copper pot stills from our subsidiary McMillan Coppersmiths to various brewers and distillers in Australia and New Zealand, who are creating premium whiskies and other spirits. 
  • Supporting the growth of the Chinese whisky market by providing distillation solutions and consultancy to local producers who want to compete in the international arena. 
  • We are proud of our long history and reputation in the brewing and distilling industry, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers with excellence and innovation. 

 

Australian Coppersmithing

A focus on Baijiu

Baijiu, the traditional Chinese spirit, holds a prominent place in Chinese culture and history.

Baijiu the traditional Chinese spirit

Celebrated for its unique and distinctive taste, baijiu is a distilled liquor traditionally crafted in China from ingredients such as sorghum, rice, wheat, and other grains. Baijiu has played an integral role in Chinese culture, symbolising social gatherings, celebrations, and business rituals through the cherished act of toasting. With its high alcohol content and a flavour profile that ranges from sweet to strong and pungent, Baijiu stands apart from other spirits in the global market.

Drawing from our extensive experience and expertise gained in spirit-producing regions like Scotland and Ireland, Briggs of Burton, in partnership with McMillan Coppersmiths, is dedicated to assisting Chinese distilleries in embracing the international spirits market. We empower these distilleries to venture into the production of Chinese whisky, vodka, gin, and a diverse array of spirit types. As these distilleries seek to adapt their traditional baijiu production methods to create internationally appealing spirits, our guidance and support are the keys to their success. With our assistance, they can craft spirits that not only honour their heritage but also cater to the evolving tastes and preferences of a global audience.

While baijiu has historically dominated the Chinese alcohol market, a notable shift has occurred in recent years. China’s thriving economy and expanding middle class have ignited a growing interest in international spirits, particularly whisky. Whisky has garnered popularity among the younger, urbanised population, symbolising sophistication and global allure. This surge in whisky consumption is driven by a desire to explore different cultures and lifestyles, fuelled by the influence of Western media and marketing. As China’s thirst for international spirits continues to grow, the future of whisky in the country appears promising, offering exciting opportunities for the global spirits industry.