In this series, British Baker talks to people from across the baking industry to find out about their career path, what their job involves, and the latest trends that are shaping their work.
We’re looking to showcase a diverse range of talent and job types across the industry, so if you’d like to be involved, please email dan.riley@wrbm.com.
Name: Gareth Brown
Age: 45
Job Title: Fritsch technical specialist
Company & Location: Multivac UK, Swindon
Education: HND in Mechanical Engineering, HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Tell us about your career so far:
I’ve spent most of my career in the thermoforming and plastics industry – pretty much since I was 23. I started out packing boxes at a local packaging company in Wigan, but before long I found myself in the engineering department learning the ropes as a machine setter. I worked my way up to shift manager, but unfortunately, the company went into administration, and I was made redundant. After that, I bounced between a few different roles in thermoforming and even dabbled in the medical sector. I also took a shot at working for myself for a few years, which was a great learning curve.
Then in 2018, I joined Multivac UK. Even though it’s still within the packaging world, this time I was working directly with food products rather than just making the plastic packaging, which was a big shift for me. About six years ago, Multivac acquired equipment supplier Fritsch and I jumped at the chance to get involved. I’m now working full-time as a technical specialist focusing solely on the Fritsch portfolio.
How would you describe your job in a sentence or two?
I head the bakery division here at Multivac UK alongside Sarah McCurdy. My role can be anything from attending breakdowns, maintenance on machines, installations, customer meetings, and internal department meetings. Sarah keeps everything organised and running smoothly from the admin side.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Honestly, no two days are ever the same. One day I could be onsite dealing with a breakdown, the next I’m in a project meeting, the day after I might be on a flight to Germany for a customer’s factory acceptance testing (FAT). It’s a diverse role, which is exactly what makes it so interesting.
Tell us about a challenge you’ve faced recently:
Working in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) world, challenges come thick and fast. One that stands out is a big project we’re working on with a major customer. The goal is to restore one of their industrial bakery lines to full OEM spec, improve efficiency, and reduce waste.
There are loads of moving parts – literally and figuratively. We’ve got to line up parts deliveries with tight schedules, work within tiny time windows (these machines run 24/7), and coordinate with other specialists like dough technologists. It’s a juggling act, but it’s going well so far.
What have been some highlights of your career?
One of the biggest highlights has to be where I’ve ended up today. Leading and helping to build a division at Multivac has been a real journey – it’s pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged me in all the right ways, and given me a huge sense of pride. It’s not always easy, but that’s what’s made it so rewarding.
What’s a common misconception about your role?
That I’m just an engineer. In reality, my job involves working with pretty much every division of the business from engineering and sales to customer support and project management. It’s very much a diverse role.
Any advice for those starting out in engineering, especially in the baking industry?
Two things: communication and pride in your work.
Good communication is essential, whether you’re explaining a fault to a customer or coordinating a big install with different teams. When customers feel confident in you, everything runs smoother.
And take pride in what you do. People notice when you go the extra mile, and it really does matter. You’re only ever as good as your last job, so always aim for high standards.
Interested in a career in bakery? Check out Foodmanjobs for the latest vacancies
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