Thurne CNC Programmer best in the country

WorldSkills Medal

Jacob Wiggett, a young Thurne CNC Milling Programmer has just won the Gold Medal at the WorldSkills UK Competitions to be named National Champion 2018, beating seven other finalists from internationally renowned engineering brands.

Jacob Wiggett competed against the UK’s top CNC Programmers in front of over 70,000 visitors at WorldSkills UK LIVE. Taking place from 15–17 November at the NEC Birmingham, WorldSkills UK LIVE is the country’s largest skills, apprenticeships and careers event.

“The competition was a fantastic experience and I have learned a lot.” Jacob said. “I was a bit nervous about working with all those people watching, but I thought I had done okay. Still, hearing my name come up as the winner came as a bit of a shock.”

Jacob finished his apprenticeship with East Coast College and Thurne-Middleby Ltd, a Norwich based engineering company specialising in design and manufacture of high speed food slicing equipment, in June and is now a full-time CNC Milling Programmer at Thurne. He said: “I’m thankful for the support everyone at Thurne has given me. I have some great mentors, and much of my success is down to them.”

Dean Folkard, Production Manager at Thurne-Middleby Ltd, who attended WorldSkills UK Live to support Jacob, was delighted about the result.

“Jacob did brilliantly and we are very proud of his achievement. The standards were very high, and it’s great that all of his hard work and dedication has been rewarded.”

As a company with 77 employees, including six apprentices, Thurne-Middleby Ltd offers a great environment for apprentices to thrive in and develop their skills, enabling them to make an important contribution to Thurne’s in-house manufacturing and design capabilities.

The company’s apprentice scheme was also recently recognised by East Coast College with an award as the Apprentice Employer of the Year 2018.

Thurne-Middleby Ltd. announces the appointment of Andy Neal as Sales Director Europe, Middle East, and Africa. He will be responsible for continuing to develop Thurne’s high performance slicing systems market presence, where his remit will include expanding the sales of Thurne’s proven slicers and slicing systems as well complete Middleby line solutions.

Andy brings more than 30 years of sales and management experience in the food processing and packaging equipment sector.

“Andy’s experience will be an asset to Thurne,” said Peter Jongen, Thurne President. “He has in- depth knowledge of food industry requirements in Europe and further afield, which will strengthen our offering in global markets.”

Thurne is a market leader in fresh and precooked bacon slicing equipment, and offers a comprehensive range of slicing systems for cooked and cured meats and cheese applications.