On 10th July, we organised a small delegation of Hydrogen Scotland members to visit the offices and factories of Stewart-Buchanan Gauges in Kilsyth, Glasgow. The team, led by Managing Director Ian Valentine, provided us with an introduction to the company, the team, and a tour of their 4,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. Here is what we took away from our visit:
With a heritage of over 155 years, Stewart-Buchanan Gauges has been challenging the idea that Scotland is “just a small market” as they build a global reputation, working with clients worldwide while manufacturing and operating from Kilsyth, Scotland.
More Than Just Gauges
The brand name might be misleading, but Stewart-Buchanan Gauges offers more than just precision instruments. This proudly Scottish, employee-owned business has established a niche with “top-end” high-quality, bespoke gauges, valves, measurement, and specialised instruments for clients across over 50 countries, from the US to Central and Southeast Asia. As a relatively small business, they work with customers to design bespoke equipment to fit their requirements. They are proud to provide equipment for the seabed all the way to space!
A Scottish & people-first philosophy
“Scottish engineers continue to punch above their weight in the world,” emphasised Ian Valentine, Managing Director of Stewart-Buchanan Gauges. The company has a legacy of over 155 years to prove it.
The team takes great pride in recruiting from their local community, especially focusing on nurturing and encouraging young, future talent. Walking through their manufacturing facility, our HS member delegation indeed observed several young apprentices learning their craft alongside experienced professionals. The company has also recognised and experienced how young workers often spot opportunities and solutions that seasoned eyes might miss, and they can breathe new life into businesses if they are listened to.
What sets the company apart isn’t just their technical expertise; it’s their deep understanding of people. The company has invested heavily in both academically centred and management-level training programmes, ensuring its workforce isn’t just skilled but also engaged and valued.
Every employee is made to understand where and how the products they make are going to be used – a fantastic strategy to foster meaning and pride in manufacturing.
Stewart-Buchanan Gauges emphasizes that keeping people employed is their top priority, as is keeping these jobs in Scotland- a reflection of the belief in Scottish potential.
This people-focused approach naturally extends to customers, allowing Stewart-Buchanan to craft highly specialised, bespoke products that meet unique global demands.
Innovating and transitioning into the future (with hydrogen)
Stewart-Buchanan Gauges isn’t content to rest on its 155-year legacy. They have identified hydrogen as one of their biggest future opportunities and are already investing in Scotland’s hydrogen future.
They are proud to be developing hydrogen-compliant valves that will be a key part in utilising hydrogen as part of the energy transition in Scotland.
As a member of the delegation, Fiona Elliot from Scottish Enterprise said, “One of the best parts of my job is being able to get to see Scottish supply chain skills in action, and this visit was a great opportunity to understand how Stewart-Buchanan Gauges develops new products and to learn more about their manufacturing capabilities. It was great to hear how hydrogen is being brought into their business plan and to hear more about how Scottish Enterprise can continue to support the company.”
To us, Stewart-Buchanan Gauges is a Scottish business confidently in transition, simultaneously investing in people, innovating products and preparing to take on the world.
In a time when manufacturing is pressured to chase the lowest costs across global supply chains, Stewart-Buchanan Gauges offers a different approach: invest in people, uphold quality, and the world will come to you, even if you’re based in Kilsyth.
Learn more about the Stewarts Group here or get in touch with Ian Valentine for partnership opportunities.
