LILLEY & GILLIE

210 years of
navigation excellence

Walker a brand under Lilly & Gillie For more than 200 years, our expertise in the manufacture of the magnetic compass and nautical instrument making has served the marine industry worldwide.

In 1812, John Lilley and Son, nautical instrument, magnetic compass, sextant and telescope manufacturer, was founded in London by a 24 year old optician named John Lilley.

John Wilson Gillie founded Wilson & Gillie, also magnetic compass and nautical instrument makers, in North Shields in 1885. Throughout his career, John Wilson Gillie patented many improvements to the magnetic compass and binnacle.

In 1913 the two successful companies merged, and in 1943 became John Lilley & Gillie Ltd. Now part of Zollner Group marine business division, we focus on equipment development and manufacturing.