Tableware manufacturer looks to clean up after appointment of Dyson boss
Stoke-on-Trent pottery and tableware business has appointed the former CEO of Dyson as its new chairman.
Martin McCourt was the CEO of Dyson for 15 years and has spent 40 years working at the heart of British-based manufacturing.
He brings this level of experience to Dudson as the business looks to continue with its development.
Whilst at Dyson, Mr McCourt devised and implemented a strategy that transformed the company from a single product, single market producer into one where 80% of the business now comes from over 60 markets around the world.
In his latest role, Mr McCourt will help the eighth and ninth-generation family-run business with its ambitious growth plans to expand its tableware range and find new markets abroad.
Dudson accepted a £3m investment from the Business Growth Fund (BGF) in 2014, which has helped the company invest in its Evo range, which has gone on to be a success in the global hospitality sector.
New production plant and equipment have been purchased and new factory personnel were recruited, doubling Evolution’s output.
The company, currently under the stewardship of Max and Mark Dudson, now employs more than 400 people at its Stoke-on-Trent headquarters.
Max Dudson, CEO, said: “We have ambitious growth plans at Dudson to expand our tableware range into new territories and are delighted to welcome Martin into the fold. His experience will prove invaluable to our board as he has a proven track record of successfully expanding British manufacturing products into new markets.”
Mr McCourt added: “Dudson has a rich history of manufacturing ceramic goods and exporting them the world over. It’s latest Evo and Harvest tableware ranges are desirable in a number of overseas markets and the company has up-scaled its operations accordingly. I am relishing the opportunity to implement a rigorous international growth strategy for Dudson products to capitalise on this demand.”
In addition to Dudson, Mr MCourt is also the chairman of Glen Dimplex, the world’s largest manufacturer of electrical heating and The Learning Curve Group, an organisation providing vocational education and training programmes to a wide range of learners and employers.
