About Us

Perfecting Our Craft for Over a Century

Gilligans is a family run business with our roots in metal finishing starting over 100 years ago with Mr W. E. Gilligan (Senior). The business was founded to meet the needs and demands for polishing and brightening of non-ferrous metals and has continued to grow and adapt with the market ever since.

Four generations later under Alan Gilligan's leadership we are reputedly amongst the UK market leaders of coating systems for functional surfaces in the areas of cathodic protection.

We specialise in zinc and zinc nickel electroplating in both rack and barrel processes providing a high quality value added service to a wide range of market sectors.

We operate 8 state of the art automated plating plants 24 hours per day, 7 days a week with a highly skilled and dedicated team on hand to meet all of your requirements to ensure consistent high quality standards are maintained with complete customer satisfaction.

Over the years, substantial and continual investments have been made to our site ensuring the company stays at the forefront of the surface finishing industry.

Continued Investment and Expansion

Current Managing Director Alan Gilligan oversees production after the relocation of the business in 1989 to a purpose built factory for electroplating.

The company has been featured on the BBC and Central Television programmes for its efforts in taking the family business forward.

1952

E Gilligan was established by Edward Gilligan at Mary Street, Birmingham providing chrome, nickel and cadmium plating.

1983

Edward Gilligan's sons, Alan and Stephen join the company to form E Gilligan & Sons Ltd

1988

Edward Gilligan becomes Chairman and hands over the reins of the business to his son and current Managing Director Alan Gilligan.

1989

Continued success resulted in the relocation to a purpose built electroplating facility in Allcock Street, Birmingham.

2005

Major investments were made in the erection of another plating facility adjacent to the existing building with the commissioning of new fully automated barrel plants and a large capacity rack plant.

2016

Further expansions led to the commissioning of a fully automated 12 station Zinc Nickel barrel plant, the largest within the UK.

2018

Commercial fleet extended with a brand new 32 tonnes Scania lorry to cope with the increasing demands for local and nationwide transport services.

2019

Modern offices under construction to welcome all visitors.