The way we work
The world of work is changing rapidly. Four GF colleagues share insights into their work routines, showing how new work practices not only boost efficiency and creativity, but also foster collaboration and innovation.
Digital tools are a mainstay in office environments around the world. Robotics are streamlining operations in factories, while evolving creative processes are driving innovation across industries. Amid this evolution, a new star is rising: AI. As the landscape of global business transforms, GF is at the forefront of integrating advanced technologies and innovative work styles to stay competitive and create a stimulating environment where its employees can grow and thrive.
Through the experiences of four employees across our divisions, we explore what it means to work efficiently, creatively, digitally and with connection. Their stories show how new approaches are not only improving individual performance and well-being, but are also driving our company toward a promising future.
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.
Martin Drechsler
Position: Team Leader Shipping Coordination
Division: GF Casting Solutions
Location: Altenmarkt (Austria)
Joined GF in: 2013
Martin Drechsler is the team leader for dispatch coordination at GF Casting Solutions in Altenmarkt (Austria), and he‘s always on the move. His smartwatch records around 14,000 steps on a normal working day. “Apart from the physical exertion, the real challenge is keeping an eye on everything,” he says. “I have to be up to date with all the processes, and know where every single load carrier is at all times.“
Load carriers are the containers, pallets, lattice boxes and such used for the die-cast aluminum and magnesium components that GF produces on-site for well-known car manufacturers. The cast parts are heat-treated and polished, dip-coated, assembled, packaged and dispatched. Every day, 20 to 35 trucks must be loaded or unloaded at the three plants in Altenmarkt and St. Gallen, 14 kilometers away.
Digital is faster
Since the introduction of a new forklift guidance system (SLS) at the site, load carriers and goods are now digitally networked. Each of the 12 forklift trucks in Altenmarkt has been equipped with a scanner and various sensors to provide information such as load carrier type, product number, degree of production and number of items contained in each load carrier. As soon as a load carrier is detected, the driver is guided to the exact storage location. Floor markings make orientation even easier. This is the key to efficiency: it could previously take up to an hour to find a specific pallet cage.
“I have to be up to date with all the processes and know where every single load carrier is at all times.”
Martin Drechsler
Opportunity to step up
Martin learned all about the SLS when he was still a forklift driver. He joined GF in this role in 2013. “My first station was machine production, followed by automation, then logistics, and two years ago I moved into shipping.” He has been responsible for organizing the supply of the external plants at the site since 2021.
Learning from the scratch and passing through all the different stations has paid off. Today, a team of 11 forklift drivers relies on him and his experience. And when colleagues are absent, he still likes to climb on the forklift himself.
New technologies as a challenge
Martin sees the modernization measures, such as the forklift guidance system and the continuous development in his area of work at GF, as making his job easier. As a manager, however, he also understands what this means for employees who might find change more challenging. “We actively involve all employees to hear their ideas on how to improve processes and work more efficiently. If colleagues suggest ideas that get implemented, we celebrate their contributions and express our appreciation by awarding a bonus.”
Further Impressions:
Find out more about the insights of the other GF colleagues:
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 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.
Read the other Spotlight articles here:
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.