A nice way of breaking the ice

Testimonial by Luisa Somalvico

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The Globe XChange Day got off to a good start when Giovanna Cerada, who was waiting for me outside the GF Uponor office in Vimercate (Italy), joined me in my car. She guided me to the parking spot of an absent colleague, which I thought was very considerate of her. I quickly noticed that this is one of Giovanna’s qualities: She genuinely cares about the people around her. She asks questions and listens carefully to the answers. She is also open to sharing information about herself. This is how we discovered things we have in common: we both have two children, a passion for foreign languages and a love of traveling.

Sharing office insights and gifts

Giovanna introduced me to her colleagues and we discussed the similarities and differences between our jobs and how we manage a typical day. I work independently, primarily on a computer, adapting GF’s international marketing materials to the Italian market or preparing for trade fairs. Giovanna and I didn’t have much in common in terms of products, as I work in the machine-tool-business and GF Uponor is involved in the piping business. However, Giovanna showed me some marketing merchandise, such as a nice, soft sweater I liked so much I decided to have one made from the same material. She then gifted me with a GF Uponor mug and a thermal drinking bottle. I returned the favor with a GF cutlery set. GF Uponor shares a classic office building with other companies. It reminded me of our previous offices before the new site was built. The good thing is that there are several shops, cafes and restaurants nearby. That’s convenient. If we at GF want to have lunch outside our canteen, we have to use our cars because we’re quite isolated in this area.

Luisa Somalvico

Position: Marketing Assistant
Division: GF Machining Solutions
Location: Agrate Brianza (Italy)
Joined GF in: 2017

“Giovanna was an inspiration to me in terms of her approach to work.”
Luisa Somalvico, Marketing Assistant at GF Machiing Solutions

Many companies share the classic office building. There are shops, cafes and restaurants close by.

Giovanna (back left) showed Luisa around the office in Vimercate (Italy).

Bridging roles and building bonds

My role in marketing is more operational. Giovanna’s is more strategic. But Giovanna was an inspiration to me in terms of her approach to work. I couldn’t help but admire her dedication. She has been with Uponor for almost 20 years and is still very committed to the company and her colleagues. The XChange Day was a nice way of breaking the ice. Faces now come to mind when I hear “GF Uponor.” It was also valuable to gain new perspectives, as you don’t usually get the chance to see how others do their jobs. But it is very inspiring and helps you to stay on top of things. I wouldn’t mind being able to do that more often.

Further impressions:

Giovanna (left) and Luisa swiftly recognize their shared interests, including a love for traveling.

And this is what Giovanna says about visiting Luisa.

Come together

GF Uponor is part of the family

GLOBE XCHANGE DAY was born out of a desire to deepen personal connections within the newly formed GF and Uponor family. On this unique occasion, four dedicated colleagues from GF Uponor were thoughtfully paired with four counterparts from GF Machining Solutions, GF Piping Systems and GF Casting Solutions, considering shared areas of responsibility and pinpointing common Uponor or GF locations in Canada, Italy, Germany and Sweden on the world map. You will discover compelling testimonials from your colleagues, offering a holistic view of Globe Xchange Day and the profound connections forged across our extended GF family.