Tamper Tantrum

Whilst we all acknowledge the importance of ergonomics when it comes to the kind of physical labour that roasting requires, it’s rarely our focus when it comes to the day-to-day work of the roastery—and with a relatively young workforce, we often overlook the impact of the work we do until irreparable damage has been done. Joining us from the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, professional ergonomics Richard Graveling kicked off our afternoon lectures at the first ever Roaster Guild of Europe Camp with a much-needed look at the importance of being mindful.

Starting with a high-level look at the scope of “ergonomics” and a few of the musculoskeletal disorders common to lifting sacks of coffee, Richard then offers some ideas for ways to lift (“give it a cuddle!”) and equipment solutions in the roastery preventatively.

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Richard is a professional ergonomist (Chartered Ergonomist and Human Factors Expert) and previous President of what is now the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.  He has over 35 years experience as an ergonomist and has worked in industries as diverse as coal mining and salmon farming; helping to assess risks and develop solutions to reduce those risks.

Although he has worked in many parts of the food and drink sector (based in Scotland the whisky industry is a particular favourite) his main exposure to coffee has been as a consumer, although he has advised a local coffee company on ergonomics issues – knowledge that will be worked into his talk.

Outside work he is involved with a local theatre group, enjoys rugby, gardening, seeing the great Scottish outdoors, and spending time with his family (and cat).

Whilst we all acknowledge the importance of ergonomics when it comes to the kind of physical labour that roasting requires, it’s rarely our focus when it comes to the day-to-day work of the roastery—and with a relatively young workforce, we often overlook the impact of the work we do until irreparable damage has been done. Joining us from the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, professional ergonomics Richard Graveling kicked off our afternoon lectures at the first ever Roaster Guild of Europe Camp with a much-needed look at the importance of being mindful.

Starting with a high-level look at the scope of “ergonomics” and a few of the musculoskeletal disorders common to lifting sacks of coffee, Richard then offers some ideas for ways to lift (“give it a cuddle!”) and equipment solutions in the roastery preventatively.

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Richard Graveling | Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors

Richard is a professional ergonomist (Chartered Ergonomist and Human Factors Expert) and previous President of what is now the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.  He has over 35 years experience as an ergonomist and has worked in industries as diverse as coal mining and salmon farming; helping to assess risks and develop solutions to reduce those risks.

Although he has worked in many parts of the food and drink sector (based in Scotland the whisky industry is a particular favourite) his main exposure to coffee has been as a consumer, although he has advised a local coffee company on ergonomics issues – knowledge that will be worked into his talk.

Outside work he is involved with a local theatre group, enjoys rugby, gardening, seeing the great Scottish outdoors, and spending time with his family (and cat).

This week, Colin & Steve reunite for a very, um, candid podcast featuring their signature rambles through topics far and wide—growth, delegation, debates, books, staffing, transitions, learning curves, things and old new. This one properly runs the gamut!

Along the way, they announce speakers for our Sideline event with The Barista League: Gothenburg, “Cracking Certifications”, discuss the importance of planning for growth, introduce a new feature to the podcast, featuring Ale Martinez of Finca Argentina, and start thinking about what this year’s competition season will bring!  

Sadly, this week marks the last instalment of 2016 Manchester Coffee Fest’s “The Business of Brewing”. As Sam Tawil (Bold St) and Claire Wallace (Brew Lab) join the panel of Tim Bosworth (Hoxton North), Pete Gibson (Grindsmith), and Alison Bell (BLK Coffee Heaton), the conversation turns more to the idea of “northern nuance” – what is different about running a coffee business in “the north”? Together, they examine the roles that food, space, staff, and service all play in building a successful coffee business, coming to the conclusion that whilst it is harder and harder to be perceived as “unique”, there are actually lots of little ways to differentiate your business from others’. Moreover, that even if they were given the opportunity to change something fundamental about their business when it was first getting off the ground, that maybe things progressed just as they should have.

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No. 74 is here and, guess what! Steve isn’t just talking to himself this week—Jenn’s managed to wrangle her way back onto the podcast only to accidentally lead the conversation down an unanticipated path. Obviously certification is a hot topic right now – we’ve announced an event with The Barista League in Gothenburg this March on that very subject – but this definitely wasn’t meant to turn into the newly written “Trusted Trade” manifesto, a dissection of coffee buying narratives, or a laundry list of transparency report frustrations. Ooops?

Find tickets & more information for The Barista League: Sideline in Gothenburg, "Cracking Certifications", here. 

This week, we return to Manchester with our second instalment of “The Business of Brewing”, featuring Timothy Bosworth (Hoxton North), Peter Gibson (Grindsmiths), and Alison Bell (BLK Coffee Heaton), each of whom have had very different experiences opening their own shops. From setting up pre-trend outside of London (Tim) to opening doors at the height of the trend (Alison) and from semi-permanent premises to brick-and-mortar shops (Pete), these three guests showcase vast differences in approach to build a specialty coffee business in the UK. Together, they consider how their initial business plan and model has changed since they first opened their doors, why just saying “yes” and figuring out “how” afterwards can lead to bigger and better things, the invaluable contribution of family and community support, how to roll with disappointments, the importance of letting some things go, and why “customer service” needs to be replaced with “customer engagement” if we want to maintain successful businesses.

This time of the year is always full of origin travel for green buyers, and Steve’s diary is no different—he’s just completed a two week jaunt to El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Most will be familiar with the impact of leaf rust in Central America, but new pressures—significantly popular demand for particular varietals—stand to impact production and coffee quality long term. Like all of these origin monologues so far, the rough goes with the smooth—whilst there are good things happening in every corner, there are also a lot of red flags to heed as we enter a critical juncture for the future of specialty coffee.

Another week, another Tamper Tantrum first: Nick Cho brought some structure to Colin & Steve’s bickering at the end of our day in New York by moderating a full-on debate on the subject of barista competitions. Colin & Matt Perger argue for the motion “barista competitions are dead”; Steve and Jenn, against. Stakes are high as both sides try to win the audience over and avoid embarrassment: the losing side has to read real-life yelp reviews in their best non-native accent.  

What do you think? Are barista competitions dead?

Another week, another Tamper Tantrum first: Nick Cho brought some structure to Colin & Steve’s bickering at the end of our day in New York by moderating a full-on debate on the subject of barista competitions. Colin & Matt Perger argue for the motion “barista competitions are dead”; Steve and Jenn, against. Stakes are high as both sides try to win the audience over and avoid embarrassment: the losing side has to read real-life yelp reviews in their best non-native accent.  

What do you think? Are barista competitions dead?

Surprisingly, despite recording podcasts since 2009, No. 72 is a Tamper Tantrum first: coffee celebs in cars! Or, rather, Steve recording and reminiscing with 2012 World Barista Champion Raul Rodas whilst they’re drive back to Guatemala City. Chatting with the (over-)familiarity of old friends, Steve & Raul revisit Raul’s road to World Barista Champ—how he got into coffee, motivations for competing, taking a year off—as well as the opportunities afforded to the champs and how they’ve influenced the development of Paradigma Coffee Roasters.