Our History

With over 285 years' experience, Briggs of Burton are one of the pioneers of process engineering in the world.

Experience makes the difference

The technical knowledge of our engineers combined with practical experience from numerous projects makes us a strong and reliable partner. Our customers can rely on us to find the best solution for their individual requirements – technically and economically. We understand our customers’ challenges and tackle them with modern and practical solutions. Thanks to our long tradition in global business relationships, we provide answers our customers can trust.

Thornewill & Wareham

Thornewill & Wareham

Thomas Thornewill sets up his own company Thomas Thornewill in Burton-on-Trent.

Thomas Thornewill, later known as Thornewill & Wareham is the eldest company in Briggs of Burton’s history.

Thornewill & Wareham was a metal hardware and industrial metalwork manufacturer. Thornewill produced metalwork such as hoop iron for the local breweries.

S Briggs & Co

S Briggs & Co

In 1865 Samuel Briggs sets up S. Briggs in Burton-on-Trent, an ironmonger and coppersmith supplying to the local brewing industry.

In 1875 S. Briggs becomes Briggs and Bindley, and in 1888 becomes S. Briggs & Co.

S Briggs & Co

S Briggs & Co

S. Briggs & Co. is one of the founding members of the Allied Brewery Traders Association, now the BFBi.

S Briggs & Co buys Thomas Thornewill

S Briggs & Co buys Thomas Thornewill

S. Briggs & Co. buys Thomas Thornewill and another local company T. R. Shercliff & Co. Ltd.

S. Briggs, Inc. opens office in North America

S. Briggs, Inc. opens office in North America

S. Briggs & Co. buys Henry Balfour, along with Henry Balfour’s office in Rochester, New York. In 1982, this allows S. Briggs & Co. to set up a new base in America to cover the American market. S. Briggs, Inc. is born, which today is known as Briggs of Burton, Inc.

Briggs of Burton PLC

Briggs of Burton PLC

S. Briggs & Co. becomes a Public Limited Company. The group is renamed Briggs of Burton PLC.

Briggs acquire Robert Morton DG

Briggs acquire Robert Morton DG

In 1988, Briggs of Burton PLC acquires its main rival Robert Morton DG Ltd. Briggs of Burton move into the former Robert Morton offices and factory on Derby Road in Burton-on-Trent.

Like Briggs of Burton, Robert Morton are a specialist in stainless steel fabrication and process design.

Briggs acquire Richard Sizer

Briggs acquire Richard Sizer

Briggs of Burton PLC acquire Richard Sizer outstanding experience in cereals processing.

Richard Sizer’s milling equipment, the “Porteus Mill”, is widely recognised in Scottish distilleries with many still in use today.

Briggs of Burton acquire T. Giusti

Briggs of Burton acquire T. Giusti

In 1993, Briggs of Burton PLC also acquired T. Giusti.

Giusti is a leading brand in the food, health & beauty and pharmaceutical markets. Companies worldwide benefit from Giusti solutions to mixing, blending, cooking and cooling challenges.

Briggs Food division continue to use the Giusti brand for specialist cooking systems.

Briggs acquire APV Burnett & Rolfe

Briggs acquire APV Burnett & Rolfe

Briggs of Burton PLC acquire APV Burnett & Rolfe, which expands Briggs Brewing capabilities with keg and cask handling systems.

Briggs of Burton joins CIMC Enric Tanks and Process B.V.

Briggs of Burton joins CIMC Enric Tanks and Process B.V.

Briggs of Burton joins the Liquid Food Division of CIMC Enric Tanks and Process B.V., one of the largest international suppliers of tanks and process technologies, which includes Ziemman Holvrieka.

Briggs of Burton achieve landmark Health & Safety milestone

Briggs of Burton achieve landmark Health & Safety milestone

Briggs of Burton celebrate landmark Health & Safety milestone after passing 3 Million man-hours since a last Lost Time Accident (LTA).

Briggs of Burton Asia launched

Briggs of Burton Asia launched

Briggs of Burton setup new office in Shanghai, China as part of expansion into Asia.

DME Process Systems joins CIMC Enric Tanks and Process B.V.

DME Process Systems joins CIMC Enric Tanks and Process B.V.

DME Process Systems Ltd. manufacture both the DME and NSI brands out of the Charlottetown location. The DME Group consists of the DME and NSI brands and is a North American leader in the design and manufacturing of industrial process equipment for craft breweries, micro-breweries, regional breweries and brew pubs. Briggs of Burton compliment DME Process Systems Ltd. by providing their craft brewery customers with site installation and turnkey implementation.

Acquisition of McMillan (Coppersmiths and Fabricators) Ltd.

Acquisition of McMillan (Coppersmiths and Fabricators) Ltd.

Briggs of Burton acquired Scottish copper still equipment manufacturer McMillan based in Prestonpans just outside of Edinburgh, Scotland. McMillan (Coppersmiths & Fabricators) Ltd. and its predecessor Archibald McMillan & Co Ltd have been a significant force in the domestic and worldwide supply of copper distilling and stainless-steel process equipment since the company was originally founded in 1867. With this acquisition, Briggs of Burton will continue to build on its reputation to supply its distilling customers with market leading process equipment and engineering services together with McMillan’s copper distillation equipment.

Launch of Briggs Global Technical Centre in Burton upon Trent

Launch of Briggs Global Technical Centre in Burton upon Trent

After doubling the company turnover, and achieving its best yearly performance to date, Briggs of Burton’s headquarters was transformed into their new Global Technical Centre. The refurbishment and major extension to the site provides a strong foundation to the business for continued growth and development of its innovative engineering solutions. Burton upon Trent was selected as the home to the Global Technical Centre based on the company’s longstanding history and connection to the town’s brewing heritage. This redevelopment complements Briggs of Burton’s upgrades to its other offices in North America and China.

Briggs of Burton, Inc. expands with new office in Louisville, Kentucky

Briggs of Burton, Inc. expands with new office in Louisville, Kentucky

Briggs of Burton, Inc. officially opened a new 2,000 sq.ft sales and engineering office in Louisville, Kentucky – home of American Whiskey (Bourbon). The team have been supporting several local and global spirits producers in the area over the last few years with turnkey equipment and bespoke engineering solutions to help them realise their sustainability and expansion plans.