EACH MONTH, WE PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON A GLANBIA IRELAND EMPLOYEE AND FOR OUR FIRST NEWSLETTER, BRIAN FARRELL, SITE ENGINEERING MANAGER IN BALLYRAGGET, IS IN THE HOT SEAT

How long have you worked in Glanbia and what roles have you held?

I joined Glanbia in 1986 on a six month contract. One of my first roles was an electrical role in the cheese plant. At age 24 I was working in an electrical/mechanical supervisor role in the whey plant and that was the start of my management experience. In 1998 we were awarded the Maintenance Engineering Award in Dublin. I completed a Diploma in Food Science and later my Masters in Engineering in 2003. I’ve been responsible for Maintenance for a number of locations including Kilmeaden, Virginia and Miloko, along with functional responsibility for Nigeria.

What’s your favourite thing about working in GI?

I’ve always enjoyed the hands-on part of my role, these days that’s a novelty and I still enjoy being at the root of a problem and helping to solve it. I think we sometimes take it for granted but this is a fantastic place to work. People take the time to look out for each other. There is a strong sense of comradery and I think what we have here is pretty unique.

What are you most proud of in your job?

How the maintenance and engineering team work together. Strong relationships have been formed and that’s been a massive game changer in how we think, how flexible we are and what we have delivered on as a group. It’s not the bricks and mortar projects but the relationship building that has had the longest effect and the strongest foundations.

How do you describe GI to friends or family outside of work?

What I tell them most about is the sheer scale of what we do. We process 1 billion litres of milk in a year. The second thing I talk about is the quality. Everything that goes out the door has to be perfect.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I’ve built all of my daughter’s houses and any bikes or cars that need work, I do it myself along with the plumbing, carpentry and any other DIY. In the past seven years I’ve taken up riding motor bikes. I love touring and I’ve travelled across France, Spain, Scotland and Whales. I also tutor advanced riding skills.

What’s the first thing you’ll plan when all restrictions are lifted?

I’m really looking forward to getting back to tutoring. I love seeing how people enjoy learning something new. I’m also looking forward to biking trip to Austria; we hope to travel through Germany, Austria, Northern Italy and Slovenia.