British Drum Co. | Special Projects, new home

British Drum Co. has set up a Special Projects Division to take on custom, collaborative and experimental builds. Some of them will use historic materials.

It is also moving house. BDC is leaving Stockport for Trafford Park in Manchester, with the new factory due to be fully up and running by 1 January 2027.

Both announcements came in the first issue of Drummin’, BDC’s new quarterly newsletter. So what do they actually mean? Let’s find out.

What is the Special Projects Division?

According to BDC, the new division covers custom engineering, collaborative designs and one-off experimental drums, for both drum kits and marching.

It is led by International Sales Director Stu Warmington, who spent 22 years as a drummer with the Royal Marines Corps of Drums. That background explains the marching side, and BDC already makes its Regimental marching line.

The detail that will catch the eye is historic materials. BDC hasn’t said yet which materials, or which projects. What it has said is that the division is about honouring traditional British craftsmanship while pushing what a drum factory can do.

That is a familiar promise, but it suits this company. BDC built its following on hand-made kits and on picking up the British drum-building story that firms like Premier began.

Where is BDC moving to?

Trafford Park, next door to Drum One. That is the Manchester drum store opened by Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain, and BDC calls it a sister company.

The two are planning a viewing platform between the buildings. During the week, visitors at Drum One will be able to watch drums being made. BDC also says the new site will mean more factory tours.

BDC hasn’t given a date for tours or for the platform, beyond the January 2027 target for the factory.

Anything else in Drummin’?

The newsletter also names a new PAC Series. So far it has been announced and not much more, and we will cover it properly when there is something concrete to report.

The newsletter matters in its own right too. A boutique maker committing to a regular quarterly update suggests BDC wants to talk to its players more often than once a launch.

Final thoughts

There is no new kit to look at yet. This is mostly groundwork. A bigger factory, a custom shop and a regular newsletter are the things a company sets up before it has more to show.

The Special Projects work is the part to watch. If you care about where your drums come from, we’ll report what it builds as soon as BDC shows it. In the meantime, have a look at Phil Collins, who played a Premier kit through the Genesis years.