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

Briggs' History

Photo

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.

1732 timeline
1865 timeline
Photo

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.

Photo

S Briggs & Co

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

1907 timeline
1929 timeline
Photo

S Briggs & Co buys Thomas Thornewill

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

Photo

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.

1982 timeline
1986 timeline
Photo

Briggs of Burton PLC

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

Photo

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.

1988 timeline
1993 timeline
Photo

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.

Photo

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.

1993 timeline
1998 timeline
Photo

Briggs acquire APV Burnett & Rolfe

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

Photo

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.

2016 timeline
2017 timeline
Photo

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).

Photo

Briggs of Burton Asia launched

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

2018 timeline
2019 timeline
Photo

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.

Photo

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.

2020 timeline
2021 timeline
Photo

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.

Photo

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.

2021 timeline

Awards & Accreditations