Have you ever wondered what a typical working week looks like for the team at IFP? In our new mini-series, ‘Meet the Team’, we get to know a new person a little better each month, finding out more about their role and their experiences here at IFP.
In this blog, we chat to Samuel Thursby, project engineer.
How long have you worked at Integrated Food Projects?
I’ve been working at IFP since September 2020, which meant starting my new role in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic – something that I never expected to happen!
What does your role entail day to day?
Each day is different to the last and I am lucky to work with a growing team who have vast amount of experience between them. As I work within the process team here at IFP, each day usually involves a lot of client liaison and discussions with their teams directly.
There is such a variation between clients, ranging from manufacturers of meat alternatives to baked goods, ingredients & flavours to dairy alternatives and even pet food! I love how varied the role is and the difference in work each project brings.
What’s your experience pre-IFP?
My master’s degree was in Chemical Engineering at the University of Nottingham. During my studies, CAD was a big focus. I’ve been able to continue designing throughout my career at IFP, often producing factory concept layouts on my projects.
Prior to IFP, I worked for Walkers Snack Foods as an engineering placement student. I gained manufacturing facility experience, which included upgrades of obsolete packaging machines, energy savings opportunities and improved understanding and reduction of water and gas usage around their sites.
Thanks to what I learnt throughout my studies, I’ve been able to hit the ground running with a good foundation in developing process flows in a logical manner. In addition to the drawing element of the job, I’ve also improved on my ability to assemble equipment budgets, ranging from a few machines to entire factories.
What do you think the future of food manufacturing looks like?
I’m really excited to see how technological advancements of machines progresses in the future. If you compare what we have now to 10 or 20 years ago, it is a whole other world – so imagine what it will look like in another 10 years’ time.
It’s hard to say exactly what I think it will look like, but I expect a lot of automation to be present in factories in a decade’s time. I also think that we will become much more adaptable as food trends change – veganism, protein-rich foods and sustainable ingredients are hot trends at the moment.
When you’re not working, what can we find you doing?
At the moment, not a lot! I’m watching whatever sport I can on TV, but as it’s all ‘behind closed doors’ it is missing the atmosphere that we all love.
But when everything is back to normal you can find me playing badminton, football or golf with my friends and family.
Our next Meet the Team blog with be with Tony Hennessy, so keep your eyes peeled on our LinkedIn for updates.
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