Dugard restructures for growth with streamlined leadership

East Sussex-based machine tool specialist Dugard has announced a major strategic restructuring designed to sharpen its operational focus and accelerate growth. The Brighton-based distributor has transitioned from a complex shareholder arrangement to a streamlined leadership model, now headed by a trio of directors Eric Dugard, sales director Colin Thomson, and managing director Jamie Young. All three are actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business.

The move marks a significant shift from the previous structure, where Eric Dugard was the only operational director among 14 shareholders. The new setup enables faster decision-making and a more agile response to market demands. Mr Dugard said: “You cannot make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. We have now shifted from a very complex shareholding structure to a more streamlined one, with three shareholders who are very active members of the board who are all now aligned and helping us to move forward.”

Mr Thomson added: “What this has enabled Eric, Jamie and me to do is to be much more dynamic with the decisions for the business, and the three of us are totally invested — we are not just shareholders, wea re active members of staff with a propensity to promote business growth.”

Centralised protocols
As part of the restructure, Dugard has also made key changes to its technical and operations leadership. Sean Ford has been promoted to technical and operations director, bringing service, applications, and spares under unified oversight. This ensures a more coordinated approach from machine order through to installation and after-sales support.

Customer service has also been enhanced through the introduction of centralised protocols that streamline communication and improve response times. Weekly monitoring of customer projects now ensures tighter control over delivery, installation, staffing, and communication — particularly for turnkey solutions.

Dugard has also deepened its relationships with key suppliers, evolving traditional dealer arrangements into collaborative partnerships. Principals are now more involved in UK customer visits and end-user applications, particularly in automation and advanced manufacturing. Mr Dugard added: “If anything, in the last year, we have become much closer to our suppliers. It is more like a partnership than just a supplier-dealer situation. They are far more involved in the actual end-user aspect of our projects, which at the end of the day is the most important thing.”

Detailed evaluation
The company recently added the high-end Zopo range of machining centres to its portfolio, following a detailed evaluation. Dugard began representing the brand in early 2025 and has already placed several machines within the UK market. Further details are expected to be announced in the autumn. Looking ahead, the leadership team is confident that the new structure will enable the business to reclaim its position at the forefront of the UK machine tool sector.

Colin Thomson said: “This restructuring gives us the opportunity to move the company back to where it was — back at the top again. We can make the decisions we need to make, invest in the machines and staff we need, much more quickly and easily. Now, there are three highly experienced and motivated directors that can sit around the table and make the ‘yes or no’ decisions without a committee of legacy directors that were holding our business back.”

Mr Dugard echoed the sentiment: “We wanted to move forward and reinvest in the company. The company needs to look to the future, and this structure enables us to do exactly that with new leadership for the next 10 years and beyond.”

Dugard continues to operate with its full technical team, sales force, and service infrastructure, ensuring continuity for existing customers while positioning the business for long-term growth. Mr Dugard concluded: “We are really going to hit the ground running now, and our reinvigorated team is relishing the challenge. With lots of new technology being launched at EMO Hannover 2025, the outlook is very positive.”