Meet The Maker: Martin Topping
Job title: Infinity Operator AKA The Top TufterTime at Milliken: 5 and a half years. I’ve just reached the 5 year achievement award, when you get a certificate and vouchers.
Role: Martin is a highly experienced operator and runs Milliken’s state of the art Infinity Tufting machine. It takes bobbins of nylon yarn and tufts the yarn into non-woven substrates to create the top cloth fabric layer of Milliken’s carpet tiles. Working with a high degree of dexterity, Martin’s dedicated work ensures Milliken produces top grade cloth.
What I like about Milliken: I enjoy operating the machines. You’re learning different things and picking things up all the time. It’s exciting, it’s a good place to work and I do different things every day. We work on shifts, I like the nights when you’re left alone to get on with your work.
100 years of making in the UK: It’s amazing that – 100 years!
Passions: Playing football with my mates and watching football on tele. I support Manchester United. I used to play for a team but they went under as they didn’t have enough players so I’m looking for a new one now.
Dream installation: Everywhere and anywhere: banks, offices, shopping centres . . .
Musical motivation: I’m not really into music, I just get on with my work.
Best thing about Wigan: I’ve always lived in Wigan, it’s a good place to live. They’ve got a soccer dome where you can take your kids.
Biggest achievements: I’m proud of myself operating the tufting machines; I’ve learned all about them and I’ve picked all of that up.
Opportunities: I worked my way up to running the machine. It was satisfying working my way up. I used to be a labourer and builder on site, this is the first time I’ve worked in a factory.
Teamwork: I work with some good lads, we all get on. If there’s ever any problems we help each other out.
On delivering a premium quality product: I like being able to help people with problems, customers and workmates.
Interested in meeting more of our Makers? Stay tuned to read The Backing Range Story, featuring Lee Riley.
