René (right) and Jan discuss the similarities and differences between their production processes.

Globe XChange Day

As if we had always known each other

Testimonial by René Pyka

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On a normal working day, I first boot up my biological system by drinking a good cup of coffee. After that, I start up all other systems at the workstation. The first thing I do is check the logs: How did production go the day before? I process the data and pass it on to my colleagues. I have been working at GF Casting Solutions in Leipzig (Germany) since 2000 and in production planning since 2017. About 280 employees work at the facility. My job is to control what can leave the site as a finished product at the end of the day.

Bright and friendly

Jan Dömming invited me to the GF Uponor production site in Zella-Mehlis (Germany) for Globe XChange Day. GF Uponor manufactures multilayer composite pipes there; we produce cast components here in Leipzig. In general, there is no overlap in terms of what we produce, so I was curious to see what I would take home from the visit. A two-hour drive brought me to Zella-Mehlis, where I was welcomed by Jan together with the new managing director. I felt at home from the beginning. Everyone was warm and welcoming, as if we had always known each other. Even the production hall immediately made a positive impression, with plenty of daylight streaming in from the glass roof and windows. I also noticed how everything was so clean and tidy.

René Pyka

Position: Production Planning
Division: GF Casting Solutions
Location: Leipzig (Germany)
Joined GF in: 2000

“GF Uponor is truly inspiring when it comes to innovation.”
René Pyka, Production Planning at GF Casting Solutions

The highly flexible composite pipes are stored rolled up in the bright production hall at GF Uponor in Zella-Mehlis.

A day with pipes instead of cast components: René is in high spirits as he follows Jan’s explanation of the special features of the Uni Pipe PLUS multilayer composite pipe.

Fast and appreciative

Although we produce very different products, I gained lots of valuable insights during the visit. What really impressed me, for example, was the enormous speed at which pipes are produced there, and how the process is constantly being improved.

Production used to stop for about 20 minutes when aluminum belts needed to be changed. They now do this non-stop, without interruption. Depleting raw materials are simply replenished and production continues. GF Uponor is truly inspiring when it comes to innovation.

The various services offered to the workforce were also remarkable. Although the company does not have its own canteen due to its size of just 115 employees, a solution was found to be able to offer hot meals to all employees with the help of an external provider. And those who go to work by bicycle can charge their e-bikes directly on site. Details such as these motivate people.

Inspiring insights with a lasting effect

I can well imagine that, despite our different areas of work, we will cooperate with each other in the future – especially around the subject of innovation. Because GF Uponor is constantly improving its processes, we could come into play when casting prototypes, for example. Jan, too, was enthusiastic about this idea.

There should be more of these inspiring meetings. It broadens your horizon to see how your new colleagues work, the way they have some similar problems and what solutions they devise. And now they are part of our GF family!

Further impressions:

René Pyka (left) from GF Casting Solutions accepted Jan’s invitation to the GF Uponor plant in Zella-Mehlis (Germany).

What Jan liked most about his exchange with René: Find out here.

Come together

The GF family welcomes new colleagues

GLOBE XCHANGE DAY is a unique initiative born of a desire to deepen personal connections within the newly merged GF family. Four colleagues representing GF Piping Systems, GF Casting Solutions and GF Machining Solutions were paired with four colleagues from GF Uponor. The pairings were made by the Globe editorial team strategically, identifying similar areas of responsibility and common Uponor or GF locations in Canada, Italy, Germany and Sweden. 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.