Chivas Brothers’ new-look facilities: BCO award-winning office transformation

David Shaw

May 13, 2023

As a testament to the power of a well-executed office refurbishment, Chivas Brothers’ Leven office at its world-class Kilmalid bottling facility in Dumbarton has won the prestigious BCO “Refurbished/Recycled Workplace” award at a ceremony which took place at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on 12th May. Demonstrating Chivas Brothers’ continued investment in its people and communities, the refurbishment project aimed to bring more colleagues together to enjoy connection, creativity, and conviviality.

Chivas Brothers’ vision was to elevate their flagship site, with a focus on employee well-being, flexibility, and healthy work environments.

Key objectives of the refurbishment included improving employee and visitor arrival experiences, creating spaces to unite teams, showcasing core brands, and enhancing welfare facilities to provide a healthy and attractive environment for returning to the office. The project’s successes were evident in the new unified entrance, which perfectly aligns with the company’s values and brand.

The feature staircase now provides a direct route to the first-floor café bar and welfare facilities, uniting teams and encouraging interaction. Upgraded welfare facilities have set a new quality benchmark across the campus. A range of flexible work settings, coffee bars, and environmental branding have been integrated into the design, fostering greater brand awareness and promoting Chivas Brothers’ commitment to celebrate the magic of human connection.

Despite the logistical challenges of refurbishing a live 24-hour operational building during a pandemic, the project maintained a focus on quality and flexibility for all users. The open atrium void features acoustic lining, creating a relaxing and focused space for employees, whether they’re taking a break or working without distractions in the offices above.

In the words of Liam Donegan, Manufacturing Director at Chivas Brothers, “We hold our people proudly at the heart of our business and this investment into our working environments is testament to their hard work and our collaborative, convivial DNA. I’m delighted to be welcoming employees into our new, state-of-the-art facilities which have been designed to reconnect colleagues as we continue on our journey to shape the future of Scotch”.

We at Torridon are proud to have contributed to this transformational project as cost consultants.

This project exemplifies the potential of an office refurbishment to rejuvenate a workspace, elevate it to new heights, and enhance employee well-being and productivity. For businesses considering a similar transformation, let the Chivas Brothers project inspire you and explore the possibilities that a well-planned and executed office refurbishment can offer.