Robert Popescu, external consultant Markus Pfeiffer from Germany, Laura Raducanu and Camelia Tunaru (from left to right) barely had time to grow together as a team.
From concept to plant
An international team took on the challenge of planning and building a new facility building for GF Casting Solutions in Pitesti (Romania) and achieved it in record time. Their individual expertise and collective efforts were crucial in making this accomplishment possible.
In November 2022, Laura Raducanu, a project manager at GF Casting Solutions in Pitesti, Romania, returned from maternity leave to be met with an unexpected proposal. Management at the site asked her to lead an ambitious expansion project, involving the planning and construction of a new foundry building spanning 7’000 square meters, to be completed in no more than 16 months.
This extension holds significant importance for the growth of the Pitesti location, as it seeks to enhance its service offerings for automotive industry customers. The site is also expected to contribute to the sustainable future of GF by incorporating innovative features such as photovoltaic panels, positioning it as one of the most modern buildings within GF Casting Solutions.
“It was a scary proposal at the time,” Laura recalls. “There was no time, there was no team and I had no experience in the building sector.” But she did know the site a lot better than most, having worked there for almost 10 years. Laura had joined the company in 2013, four years before its acquisition by GF, back when it was still called Eucastings. Before going on maternity leave, she had worked in the logistics department – so nowhere near the building sector. But because she was eager to see how things would work out and wanted to help create a modern working environment for her colleagues, she accepted the challenge that she had been offered.
© Petrut CalinescuLaura Raducanu
Position: Project Manager
Division: GF Casting Solutions
Location: Pitesti (Romania)
Joined GF in: 2017
Growing together as a team
As the project unfolded, the team started to come together. An external consultant from Germany took the lead in designing the new production flow. Having extensive experience collaborating with GF on construction projects, the consultant provided guidance to the team, while Laura ensured the effective implementation of the tasks.
Laura also worked closely with Purchasing Manager Camelia Tunaru, who helped source necessary materials and equipment for the project. “When you need something, Camelia knows exactly where to find it,” says Laura. Camelia also kept spirits high. Laura recalls complaining about her uncomfortable safety shoes one morning, only to find a new pair in her office in the afternoon – courtesy of Camelia.
With Camelia’s strong network, the project gained momentum. Soon Production Manager Robert Popescu joined the effort, bringing crucial technical expertise to the table. Robert played a key role in organizing the layout of the production units, selecting appropriate robots for extracting casted pieces, and ensuring they were colored according to GF’s corporate standards.
© Petrut Calinescu
© Petrut CalinescuJoint success
With strong support from colleagues in Europe, the team stayed connected online, keeping everyone on the same page without needing to be in the same room – or even in the same country. And it paid off. By February 2023, just four months into the project, Laura felt confident they would succeed: “It was a huge relief when management approved our plan and we chose a construction company,“ she says.
Since the opening in 2023, work has been bustling, with the first test pieces produced and new colleagues joining. And the four coworkers have also bonded outside of work, sharing lunches and barbecues.
Further impressions:
© Petrut Calinescu
© Petrut Calinescu
© Petrut Calinescu
© Petrut Calinescu
© Petrut Calinescu
© Petrut Calinescu