History

The origins of Riggs Autopack Ltd date back to the early 1930's, when the founding business was established as Autopack Ltd and based in Birmingham. During the late 1940's, the business moved to larger premises in Malvern, Worcestershire where it stayed until 1991.

 

Autopack Ltd specialised in the design, manufacture and supply of high quality auger fillers, vibratory weighing and filling machines for the food and cosmetic production industry's. As the company evolved it became the UK's largest manufacturer in it's field. At it's height during the 1980's, they employed well over 200 people and exported to over 50 countries worldwide.

 

In 1989, Autopack Ltd purchased Tri-Tech Systems Ltd, a leading UK manufacturer of volumetric liquid and semi-liquid depositors for the food production industry. This range of machines were subsequently added to the Autopack Ltd product catalogue and today represents the origins of Riggs Autopack's depositing & filling machines.

    

             

Mr Edward S. Fort O.B.E.

         Fort Vale Chairman and Founder           

Autopack Ltd was purchased by The Fort Vale Group in 1991 and relocated to the current premises in Nelson Lancashire, close to the picturesque area of Pendle Hill. The company was integrated with Riggs Bros Tools Ltd an established Fort Vale company member, and thus became Riggs Autopack Ltd.

 

To this day, Riggs Autopack Ltd remains a proud member of The Fort Vale Group, a dynamic and market-driven enterprise with strategic locations throughout the world. The group's parent company Fort Vale Engineering was founded in 1967 by the current Chairman, Mr Edward S. Fort OBE, and manufactured valves and fittings for the liquid transport industry.

 

Over the years a group of associate companies has been developed, all within the engineering industry and all managed independently. The Fort Vale Group members include:

 

 

 

 

 
 
Since acquisition by Fort Vale, Riggs Autopack has concentrated solely on manufacturing high quality volumetric depositing and filling equipment for "wet" based food products - liquids, semi-liquids and suspended solids. Our machine range is designed specifically for use within the food production industry and we have become a UK market leader in this sector.
 
Over the years, we have developed into a close knit company with a very low turnover of staff. The vast majority of our employees have been with us for many years and we have created a friendly, professional and experienced team. Subsequently, we are able to provide a very high level of client care and pride ourselves in developing long term working relationships with all our customers, the vast majority of which have been with us for many years.