Where does the journey take us?
Dear colleagues,
Imagine this: as the train departs and the virtual call connects, a lively scene unfolds before us. Two colleagues multitask with a giggling child on their laps. Another one searches for a quiet office spot. Someone joins from a hotspot en route to a customer visit. Another colleague prepares to jump in, taking off their work gloves to join the conversation.
For many of us at GF, remote work isn’t just a trend, it’s our everyday reality. But beyond the practicalities, what does our modern workplace truly look like? What tools are sparking our creativity and what new trends are shaping our future? How is AI guiding us toward becoming leaders in sustainability and innovation? And most importantly, how does all this impact our roles, whether on the factory floor or in the office?
One thing is certain: this topic is making waves. Explore our Spotlight stories, where colleagues share firsthand how these new work dynamics are reshaping their daily routines, and an exclusive interview between our CEO and a leading AI expert. And don’t miss the Spotlight infographic, where AI itself has its say ...
Remember – this is your topic. In our latest Globe survey, you made it clear that this is what sparks your interest. Join the conversation and leave your comments, likes, dislikes or questions on Globe anytime at We@GF. Click through the articles and enjoy the journey ahead.
Get ready to explore. It’s going to be a thrilling ride!
Isabel Proske
Globe Project Manager
Spotlight | The Way We Work
Working Digitally
Digital pioneers – that’s how you could describe Ashley Iwamoto of GF Piping Systems and her team, who implemented a digital tool that ensures customer inquiries can be answered faster than ever before.
Spotlight | The Way We Work
Working With Connection
Connecting via digital tools makes work life easier. But for Ana Patricia Molina Villanueva, Regional Sales Manager South at GF Building Flow Solutions in Málaga (Spain), personal exchange remains the cornerstone for genuine contact and trust with customers.
Spotlight | The Way We Work
Working Efficiently
Keeping an eye on everything – that is the challenge Martin Drechsler, team leader of shipping coordination at GF Casting Solutions, sets for himself. Digital innovations help him coordinate goods more efficiently.
Spotlight | The Way We Work
Working Creatively
In her son’s room, Jing Jiao found inspiration for optimizing a complex office process in an unlikely source – a toy. Creativity keeps on inspiring the Beijing-based assistant to the Managing Director of GF Machining Solutions in her daily work.
Spotlight | Insider’s View
Navigating the AI wave
Artificial intelligence could support companies, and it could also help society to shape a future in which human connection will become even more important. GF CEO Andreas Müller meets AI expert Thilo Stadelmann to discuss the impact of AI technologies.
Spotlight | Your View
How innovative tools enhance work enjoyment
The new world of work offers many conveniences and innovations, from 3D printing to project management software to AI. Six colleagues share which tools make their jobs easier.
Spotlight | Infographic
Through the AI crystal ball: GF in 50 years
We asked AI to give us a glimpse into GF’s future, blending today’s knowledge with tomorrow’s possibilities. Find out the result in our infographic.
Care | Hidden Hero
Inclusion beyond words
Renee Norman from the GF Piping Systems manufacturing facility in Calmar (Canada) takes unique steps to ensure inclusion. She goes the extra mile by teaching sign language to her team, ensuring that her deaf co-worker feels fully included in the workforce. Hidden Hero tells the whole story.
Care | My Best Lesson
The way a team should be
Vera Camozzi’s new role at GF presented her with the opportunity to experience firsthand the power ofopenness and authenticity. She details her findings in My Best Lesson.
Care | A Strong Team
From concept to plant
An international team took on the challenge of planning and expanding a site for GF Casting Solutions in Pitești (Romania) and achieved it in record time. Learn more about it here.
Create | On Site
Combining GF know-how in Mexico
A completely new venture for GF Piping Systems and GF Machining Solutions was launched in Mexico in May 2023. Read On Site to learn how the joint location in a promising market unlocks opportunities and reduces costs.
Create | Our Markets
Ready, set, assemble!
Prefabrication, or off-site manufacturing (OSM), is revolutionizing the construction industry, merging innovation with efficiency. Explore Our Markets to see how GF Piping Systems is at the forefront of the industry.
Create | Innovator’s Insight
Turn 20 pieces into one
GF Casting Solutions plans to produce a single cast aluminum part to replace multiple sheet metal pieces to make car bodies, aiming to simplify production. Co-developer Stephan Philipp presents the component in Innovator’s Insight.
The forge of tradition
Seemingly unimpressed, a worker stands with his sleeves rolled up in a shower of sparks from a welding machine. The steel pipes produced in the Wirsbo Bruk AB factory served multiple purposes, including transporting liquids and gas, as well as being utilized in the construction industry and as exhaust pipes in motor vehicles. When the company was founded in 1620, iron hammers were built here. In 1988, Wirsbo Bruk AB was acquired by Uponor, today’s GF Building Flow Solutions.
Location: Virsbo (Sweden)
Product manufactured: Steel pipes
Company acquired by today's GF Building Flow Solutions: 1988
Connect | Our Customers
A sustainable collaboration
The industrial services provider Bilfinger relies on GF. The success of this partnership speaks for itself: GF products now also ensure safety in a new system from ams OSRAM, the world’s leading supplier of intelligent sensors and spotlights. Read the full story here.
Connect | There’s GF in it
Good roof, good game
Winters in Minnesota (US) are snowy. This puts the structural stability of roofs to the test. GF Building Flow Solutions has taken special precautions for the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. You can find out which ones here.
Humbled by your cheers
Your Feedback on the Globe special issue welcoming our new colleagues:
Dear Globe,
I must congratulate you on this issue! The creativity (the magazine in two parts, one for each company) is exceptional. The presentation of the company stories is also very well done. But the inclusion of people from both companies communicating with each other (in a friendly way!) is outstanding. Excellent work!
Rodolfo Brunner retired since 1999
Dear Globe,
I would like to express my praise for the latest Globe. I particularly like the combined GF and Uponor story in the middle of the magazine and am looking forward to the next issue!
Luisa Speck Sales Coordinator, GF Piping Systems
REPLY
Dear Globe fans,
Your great feedback confirms that our last issue of Globe struck a chord. We are overwhelmed and thank you for your kind encouragement! #GLOBE# we are ONE GF#going forward#
Your Globe editorial team
Dear Globe,
Excellent work to all! Had great joy reading it over the weekend!
Cesar Sayegh Head of Strategic Transformation, GF Piping Systems
Dear Globe,
I was very pleased to receive the latest edition of Globe and share it with my family. As a new employee at GF, I felt warmly welcomed, with team members eager to share knowledge and opportunities for collaboration and teamwork. And I also learned a lot about the history of both GF and Uponor! Keep up the great work!
Andres Caballero President GF Building Flow Solutions North America