STATUS was founded by Dr George Read in 1988 as a result of a number of collaborative ventures between the Department of Engineering and Technology at Manchester Metropolitan University and companies in the specialist vehicle field. Initial support was gained from the DTI Technology Transfer Club scheme. STATUS is still based within the Department and enjoys, as a result, access to a wide range of facilities and skills that would otherwise be difficult or costly to obtain. STATUS has always striven to provide its members with an efficient service as well as providing a method of expressing members’ views to the government in order to influence legislation. In the intervening years membership has grown rapidly, and at present over 200 organisations enjoy the benefits of membership. STATUS now represents a broad cross section of organisations involved in low volume manufacture of cars, minibuses and commercial vehicles, as well as those manufacturing equipment and components for these vehicles.

Meet The STATUS Team

With many years experience of the transport industry between them, the senior members of the STATUS team who will assist you are...

STATUS Manager: Michael Hughes
Mike has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Salford University. Prior to joining STATUS, he worked as an Engineering Manager for G Cussons Ltd. He was responsible for design and build projects primarily involving computer controlled engine test facilities. His extensive experience on test rig design complements his activities with STATUS.
Email: m.p.hughes@mmu.ac.uk Tel: 0161 247 6240

STATUS Engineer: Richard Vernon
Whilst working on a Masters Degree in Materials Science, Richard's interest in cars led him to be involved in some of STATUS' projects and material investigations. He decided to accept a full time job at STATUS and carry on his MSc part-time. Before joining STATUS Richard worked for a laboratory involved in testing toys, bikes and furniture. He has also worked as a general fitter in the polyurethane manufacturing industry.

STATUS Engineering Consultant: Denzil Brunning
Denzil worked as the STATUS Engineer from its inception in 1988 until 1995. He then became responsible for homologation for a major motorhome manufacturer and represented the UK Motorhome Industry on various UK and European technical committees. He returned to STATUS early 2002, and has extensive knowledge with the engineering problems associated with specialist vehicle manufacturers.