Bradley Pickthall, Shift Technician

Department: Engineering

Engineering apprenticeship at Penrith

“I joined ForFarmers in March 2017 as an Engineering Apprentice, having already spent a year at Carlisle College studying mechanical maintenance engineering. I have really enjoyed learning on the job and the team at Penrith have been really supportive over the last four years. I am now a Shift Technician at 21 years old and last year I became the youngest ever Shift Technician at Penrith.”

“The mill at Penrith has undergone a significant amount of investment over the years. Recently the team and I have been heavily involved in the installation of a new mixer and press. The mill was first opened in 1980 and has been operating ever since. We produce a range of compound products and supply customers across Scotland and the North of England."

Running efficient production shifts

“A key aspect of my role is that I run one of the 4 shifts at the mill. The team’s safety and wellbeing is paramount and I am responsible for the safe and effective running of the shift. In total there are 4 Shift Technicians at Penrith and I manage a small team consisting of 3 members during daytime shifts and 4 members during nights. We aim to produce around 330 tonnes per shift and this of course depends on customer orders and raw material availability. To ensure freshness, consistency and high quality, all of our feed is made to order. We therefore have to be organised and reactive in order to operate efficiently 24 hours a day.”

“In addition to running the shifts, we are also the on-site engineers at Penrith. We are tasked with planning and carrying out preventative maintenance for all of the machines and equipment along with dealing with any reactive maintenance as and when required to ensure production can continue.”

Working together & problem solving

“We work closely with a range of departments in order to achieve efficiency within the mill and our systems. On a daily basis I communicate with the transport and planning departments to ensure that the production plan aligns with the transport plan and therefore customers get their products on time and in full.”

“Every day is different and it’s important to stay calm when challenges arise. I was recently running the nightshift after a four day mill shutdown. The electrical contractors had unfortunately left no information for a piece of safety kit they had installed and overnight the mill went down. Luckily I managed to figure out how the kit worked and carried out a safe repair in order to keep the mill running and produce all the tonnes required.”

The aspects I enjoy most in my role

“I enjoy my role as there is plenty of flexibility from running production, carrying out planned and reactive maintenance and looking after the people on my shift. Safety is our number one priority at Penrith and I ensure that this is the case with my team and any contractors or visitors to site.”

“I feel part of the family at Penrith and enjoy getting involved with events. A couple of years ago I took part in a sponsored cycle ride with some of my colleagues. We cycled to Carrs Billington in Lancaster as part of the GAFT charity ride. Together we climbed over 400m at Shap and cycled down the A6, and despite not having been on a bike for years, I completed the 52 miles and managed to carry Mike Holden, Penrith Site Manager over the line as well!”

“Looking back, I really appreciate being offered the apprenticeship at ForFarmers, it’s helped me learn and progress my career in engineering.”