Always a logistical powerhouse, Scotland became a hub for shipbuilding perhaps as early as the 15th century, around the same time as the oldest reference to whisky occurs in the Scottish Exchequer Rolls of 1494. Today, the country has diversified into high-tech industries like offshore oil and gas, while remaining a centre for military defence and whisky production. These sectors are visible throughout Glasgow’s many warehouses, in Renfrewshire to the west and North Lanarkshire to the east.
Doosan Babcock has deep roots in Renfrewshire, dating back to 1895, when it introduced innovative boiler technology. The company later refurbished submarines, and its infrastructure remains in place, replete with 30-tonne overhead cranes. Local residents in Westway still recall the sight of workers pouring down the road on foot, at the start and end of the factory shifts. During the pandemic, Bullet Express repurposed a former Babcock building into a racked-out warehouse, capitalising on the eaves height and later securing bonded status for some of the 12,500 pallets stored there.
WH Malcolm Limited, a stalwart of Scotland’s logistics scene, was founded in 1922, publicly owned from 1960 until 2005 and then reacquired by the family. Based in Linwood, Renfrewshire, its sprawling network of interlinked sites includes a rail terminal, warehousing, maintenance workshops and construction facilities, alongside the impressive Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre which hosted UKWA’s recent Roadshow event.
Over time, the company has grown into a leading provider of logistics, construction and maintenance services across the UK, employing around 2,200 people. Despite its growth, WH Malcolm is proud to retain a family-orientated Scottish culture, with several third-generation employees continuing the tradition of customer service and innovative solutions.
Cory Brothers, part of VertomCory—the world’s largest independent shipping agency—specialises in freight forwarding. Founded in 1842 in Cardiff, Cory Brothers opened its first warehouse 180 years later and 400 miles north. Located at Hillington Park, on the border between Glasgow and Paisley, this 98,000-square-foot facility caters to a range of local industries.
BAE Systems are in Renfrewshire too, supported by their longstanding logistics partner Wincanton. On the other side of the city, Wincanton recently opened a new multi-client site in Bellshill, boasting 11,000 racked pallet locations and 50,000 square feet of block-stack storage, which has already attracted blue-chip clients. The company employs about 200 people here in the North Lanarkshire region, and their dialogue with the local authority underscores their commitment to the area.
Meanwhile in the rival city of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University hosts the UK’s National Robotarium, where engineers are pioneering research into the adoption of robotics in social care, surgery, manufacturing, marine engineering, and of course, warehousing. Scotland continues to balance its rich industrial legacy with cutting-edge technological advances, showcasing a unique and powerful blend of history and innovation.
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