During a recent visit to Dugard’s facility in Hove, we finally had the opportunity to take a closer look at the ZOPO machine range — a product line that has been gaining significant traction in the UK market.
It’s a visit that had been in the pipeline for some time. However, with busy schedules on both sides, coupled with the pace at which these machines are being sold and installed, finding the right moment proved challenging. That alone says something about the current demand.
More Than Just a 3-Axis VMC
While many may initially associate ZOPO with 3-axis vertical machining centres, the range extends far beyond this. In fact, some of the strongest-performing machines in the portfolio are the larger bridge mills.
These machines offer substantial capacity and capability for manufacturers tackling bigger components and more demanding applications. Dugard has recently installed one of these larger bridge mills at a customer site — a machine we’ll be visiting soon to see first-hand in a real production environment.
Scale That Stands Out
One of the most striking takeaways from the visit was the scale of ZOPO’s operation.
Producing over 5,000 machines per year, ZOPO operates at a level that places it among the more significant players in the global machine tool market. This level of output not only reflects strong demand but also highlights a well-established and efficient manufacturing operation.
A Global Manufacturing Approach
Part of ZOPO’s competitiveness comes from its globalised production strategy. Key machine components are manufactured in countries such as Japan, Germany, and Taiwan — regions well known for precision engineering and high-quality parts.
Final assembly is then carried out in China, allowing ZOPO to balance quality with cost efficiency. This approach enables the brand to deliver machines that are both technically capable and commercially attractive.
High Specification, Competitive Pricing
According to Dugard, one of the key advantages of the ZOPO range is its pricing. Even in a highly competitive market, these machines are said to come in at around 25% less than comparable alternatives, while still offering a strong level of standard specification.
Features such as through-spindle coolant, swarf evacuation systems, and 30-station automatic tool changers are included as standard — equipment that is often considered optional or additional on other machines.
A Range Worth Exploring
For manufacturers currently considering investment in new machining capacity, particularly in the VMC or large-part machining space, the ZOPO range presents an option that is well worth evaluating.
With growing installations across the UK and increasing visibility through Dugard, it’s clear that this is a brand gaining momentum.
Stay tuned to MTDCNC as we continue to follow this story — including an upcoming visit to see one of these larger bridge mills in action on the shop floor.
