AN ENGINEER is celebrating 50 years and counting at the top of a thriving Knutsford manufacturing business.

In his 50-year tenure, Peter Morrey, chairman and owner of Terry Lifts, has skilfully overseen the expansion of the company from just eight to 90 staff.

Terry Lifts provide solutions to improve access for disabled and older people in public places and in their own homes all around the world.   

The 75-year-old joined the firm as general manager in 1972, and following an initial investment of £4,000, went on to acquire 100 per cent of the business within eight years.

As an engineer, Peter’s main interest lies in problem solving.

He said: “Product design and development has always been my focus, working on the basis that ‘build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door'.

“At the beginning I was running the whole show, from product design, research and development, sales and surveys, installation, servicing, production, purchasing, factory maintenance, HR, health and safety (as it was then), and feeding the works’ cat.

“I have had an incredibly rewarding career, with a lot of fun and a lot of satisfaction.

"The lifts we have produced have helped to give almost 50,000 disabled people the same access and freedom as able-bodied people."

Peter now lives in Guernsey, which compelled him to change roles at the company last year, from managing director to chairman.

“The pandemic and living remotely made it difficult to continue as managing director.

“At 75, I was very happy to move on to chairman and hand over the managing director reins to Dave Allen, who was the finance director.

“The business now has a young, dynamic management team, and the aim is to grow sales steadily with the finest, innovative products on the market, providing top class support to agents, dealers, and end users.

“We’ve had some amazing employees over the years, and a lot of our success is down to them - particularly the team we have now.

“Also, my wife Sarah has worked in the business with me for 25 years, and she has been instrumental. I’ve been the engineer – the guy who does the concepts – but it’s everyone else who takes that to fruition.

"My sincere thanks go out to all the management team, and to all of our staff.”