McMillan Coppersmiths, one of the world’s oldest coppersmiths, marks four years of growth under the ownership of global engineering company Briggs of Burton.
Specialising in designing and manufacturing copper distillation equipment, McMillan Coppersmiths now supplies customers as far away as Mexico and China, as well as supplying stills and distilling equipment throughout Scotland. Its portfolio includes projects with industry leaders like Diageo, William Grants, Brown Forman, Pernod Ricard, Ardgowan and others. These collaborations have showcased an ability to deliver customised solutions and uphold the highest standards of quality and innovation.
Robert Goudie, Production Manager at McMillan Coppersmiths, said:
“Creating the right spirit involves many factors, including the copper stills we design and hand-make. As whisky enthusiasts know, the shape and size of the still are considered to influence the flavour of the whisky produced by each distillery. Our role is to customise a design that fits perfectly with the spirit they aim to produce, either by recreating and matching their existing shapes, or for newer entrants, drawing inspiration from others combined with customisation to make a strong impact on the aesthetics of the still house. We are now world leaders in the hand crafting of whisky and gin stills, rum stills and worm tubs.”
McMillan was awarded Manufacturer of the Year at the Made in Scotland Awards in 2023.
Rob Buxton, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Briggs of Burton, said:
“Over the last three years we have made a huge investment in McMillan Coppersmiths. This includes building the next generation of coppersmiths through apprenticeships programmes, recruiting and upskilling our team from within , and supporting the team through better welfare facilities and employment contracts. We have also made a big investment in supporting the team with the development of a health and safety culture.”
About McMillan Coppersmiths
Founded in 1867, McMillan Coppersmiths has a rich heritage of craftsmanship, with many of its production methods dating back 150 years. The manufacturer prides itself on the traditional handcrafted production of copper stills, as well as semi-automatic and manual welding equipment for welding stainless steel, copper and nickel alloys. Since acquiring McMillan in 2020, Briggs of Burton’s business growth in the Scotch Whisky sector has soared.
