With over 285 years' experience, Briggs of Burton are one of the pioneers of process engineering in the world.
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.
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. buys Thomas Thornewill and another local company T. R. Shercliff & Co. Ltd.
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.
S. Briggs & Co. becomes a Public Limited Company. The group is renamed Briggs of Burton PLC.
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 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.
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 of Burton PLC acquire APV Burnett & Rolfe, which expands Briggs Brewing capabilities with keg and cask handling systems.
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 setup new office in Shanghai, China as part of expansion into Asia.
Briggs of Burton acquired Scottish copper still equipment manufacturer McMillan based in Prestonpans just outside of Edinburgh, Scotland.
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.
Briggs of Burton, Inc. officially opened a new 2,000 sq.ft sales and engineering office in Louisville, Kentucky – home of American Whiskey (Bourbon).
