About William Hughes. Heritage Engineering, Modern Innovation.

Graduating from the University of Bath with a degree in Engineering, Max began his career with Dowty Group Services before joining William Hughes Ltd in 1970, taking over the helm 14 years later. He is a Director of the Institute of Spring Technology (IST) and also a Council Member of the Spring Research and Manufacturers Association (SRAMA) where he is Chairman of the Research and Technical Committee.

Max has been instrumental in guiding the direction of the Company, both strategically and financially for the past fifty years consolidating William Hughes as the multi-million-pound engineering business it is today. He organised the relocation of the original London factory to Shaftesbury and later to Stalbridge. He oversaw the opening of the William Hughes Bulgaria factory in 2004 and the purchase of Nosag Polska, Poland, in 2017.

Emma is Max’s daughter and joined the family business in 1997, becoming the 8th generation of the Hughes’ family to do so. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering, she started as a welder in the wire assemblies department and then progressed to designing weld jigs and fixtures. This led to managing the toolroom where she implemented first 2D CAD and subsequently CATIA (3D CAD) and CAD CAM in conjunction with CNC milling. Emma supervised the opening of our Bulgarian facility in 2004 and the complete refurbishment of our 5,800m2 factory in 2014. Today she manages the European Sales Team and heads up any new projects introduced to the company.

As Special Processes Manager at William Hughes’ Stalbridge site, Shaun is responsible for overseeing a range of critical treatments that ensure components meet the exacting standards of industries such as aerospace and medical. These include NADCAP-accredited heat treatment and nitric acid passivation, with approvals from customers such as Honeywell and GE. He has also introduced specialist cleaning processes for machined parts used in oxygen-based systems. By managing these processes in line with strict industry requirements, Shaun helps ensure that every part delivered by William Hughes performs reliably in its intended application, no matter how demanding the environment.

As Sales Manager, Dean provides support to customers across the UK, Europe, China, India, Brazil and the USA, offering advice on materials, processes and design to ensure the right technical solution is achieved from the outset. Dean brings a structured approach to customer projects, helping to ensure compliance, performance and reliability, supporting our customers from initial enquiry through to production and delivery.

Dean works closely with production and quality teams to maintain the high standards expected, his expertise includes quality management systems, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, KPIs, as well as extensive knowledge of nuclear, hydraulic, aerospace, electrical and automotive industries. For customers, this means a consistent, informed point of contact who can offer clear guidance, resolve technical queries quickly, and ensure the outcome meets the specific needs of each application.

As a key member of William Hughes’ sales team, Richard Haime brings over two decades of hands-on engineering and manufacturing experience to his role supporting some of the company’s most technically demanding customers across Europe. Starting his career with a two-year apprenticeship at the Stalbridge site, followed by an HND in Mechanical Engineering and technical fluency in German, Richard has built a deep understanding of both the practical and commercial aspects of component production.

He works closely with engineers and designers to assess feasibility, agree manufacturing timescales, and guide complex projects through the factory. Customers benefit from his practical approach to solving design challenges, helping turn initial concepts into manufacturable parts. “The technical challenges are what make my job so exciting,” explains Richard. “If the drawings are somewhat vague and the part looks impossible to make, I’m in my element. I love turning the incomprehensible into something we can actually achieve”.

Since joining William Hughes in 2011, Graham has supported a wide range of customers as part of the sales team. With a background in mechanical engineering, he brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to quoting, negotiating and managing complex customer projects. From early-stage enquiries through to production launch, he works closely with internal teams and manufacturing sites to ensure a smooth transition into series production. Fluent in conversational German, Graham is part of the company’s international-facing capability, supporting customers across Europe with clear communication and technical understanding.

As Production Supervisor, Nick plays an important role in maintaining the day-to-day operations but also leads the training of colleagues, particularly in his specialist area of small coiling and wire bending. He supports skill development for prototyping and complex spring production, helping to ensure that knowledge and experience is passed on across the team.

With an HNC in Manufacturing Engineering from Yeovil College and extensive experience with CNC machinery, Nick brings a practical, adaptable mindset to a wide range of production challenges. His technical insight has been instrumental in developing William Hughes’ capabilities, including the successful launch of the EFAX facility in Bulgaria and the ongoing introduction of Continuous Improvement practices across the organisation.

Outside of work, Nick continues to apply his technical skills through 3D printing projects, some of which have supported local charitable initiatives. He also enjoys short mat bowls.

With a hands-on background in factory maintenance, machinery installation, and industrial systems, Ben brings over two decades of broad manufacturing experience to his role as Plant Director. His early career included work across a range of industrial machinery, including cardboard and wood processing equipment, before moving into site management and refurbishment projects.

Joining William Hughes, he progressed through a series of leadership roles—from welder and shift leader to CNC section manager—demonstrating both technical expertise and operational leadership. He played a key role in the company’s international expansion, leading the establishment of William Hughes’ Bulgarian facility from the ground up. As Factory Manager, he oversaw the setup and growth of a 6,500 m² operation employing over 160 staff, housing 65 CNC machines, 11 injection moulding machines, a paint line, and 13 welding robots.

Today, as Plant Director, he continues to drive operational and technical innovation across the company’s manufacturing operations.

With over 15 years at NOSAG Polska, Tomasz Raczyński has progressed from CNC machine operator to Plant Manager, bringing together hands-on manufacturing expertise and strategic oversight. His leadership has driven key developments across the business, from process improvements and production reorganisation to successful technology transfers, all aimed at improving process stability, throughput, and quality. Tomasz takes a collaborative approach to leadership, with a particular focus on developing capability within teams. He speaks Polish and English and remains closely connected to the shop floor, both technically and personally. Outside of work, he runs, cycles, and hikes in the mountains.

A graduate in French Philology from Cracow University, Kasia works in International Sales at Nosag Polska, our factory in southern Poland. Kasia, who is also proficient in Spanish, is putting her language skills to good use in the development of new customer relationships, focusing on Korean customers. William Hughes acquired Nosag Polska in 2017, delighted to find Kasia amongst its assets.