Two Strategies, One Goal
GF and its Divisions have achieved a number of key milestones thanks to their expansion into new markets during the 2016–2020 strategy cycle. The new GF Strategy 2025 continues to build on this success. Going forward, GF will be investing even more in innovation and sustainability to foster profitable growth.
ENTERING THE FUTURE – WITH LASER TECHNOLOGY
GF Machining Solutions acquires US-based Microlution Inc., a specialist in micromachining using laser technology. The acquisition enables GF Machining Solutions to expand its technology portfolio to meet the demands of the aerospace and medical applications industries, among others.
Stefan Dahl, Head of Operations/COO, GF Machining Solutions: ”This acquisition is a good example of how to extend the technology portfolio in order to enable our existing customers to make a technology jump. We are constantly monitoring new technologies.”
GROWTH IN ROMANIA
GF Automotive acquires Eucasting Ro SRL, a high-pressure aluminum die-casting specialist with two production sites in Romania. This acquisition helps GF Automotive expand its presence in the growing light metal components business.
GF EXPANDS ITS PRESENCE IN THE AMERICAS
GF acquires Urecon Ltd. (Canada), a specialist in pre-insulated piping systems for freeze protection and chilled water. This acquisition helps GF Piping Systems expand its presence in North America. Development of the American version of the acclaimed pre-insulated COOL-FIT systems for transporting cooling media.
Isabelle Beaulieu, General Manager Georg Fischer Urecon Ltd.: “Through the acquisition, we could establish ourselves as the COOL-FIT PE+ pipe producer for the North American market.”
THE AEROSPACE BUSINESS TAKES FLIGHT
It will acquire Precicast Industrial Holding SA, the Swiss precision casting specialist, to increase its presence in the industrial sector, in particular in the promising aerospace business. GF Automotive becomes GF Casting Solutions.
Monica De Giorgio, Ceramics Operation Manager at the ceramic tool shop at GF Casting Solutions Novazzano SA: ”Our production site in Novazzano (Switzerland) became part of GF in 2018. During the Strategy Cycle 2016–2020, I fostered the dialogue and built up trust between the ceramics and casting departments.”
STRATEGIC COOPERATION FOR 3D PRINTING
GF Machining Solutions and US-based 3D Systems, a leader in additive manufacturing, announce their strategic cooperation for jointly developed, integrated manufacturing solutions based on 3D printing.
RED DOT AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE SOLUTION
The Hycleen Automation System from GF Piping Systems receives an honorable mention at the 2019 Red Dot Award. The system addresses the need for safe and hygienic water solutions in large buildings. The Red Dot Award is one of the world’s most coveted design awards.
FULL SPEED AHEAD IN CHINA
Following its official inauguration on 30 October 2018, the new tooling shop in Suzhou (China) begins to swiftly ramp up production. The first projects have since been successfully launched. With this investment in the Chinese automotive industry, GF can respond to customer needs even more swiftly.
GROWTH IN SOUTH AMERICA
GF Piping Systems announces the acquisition of FGS Brasil Indústria e Comércio Ltda. (FGS), Cajamar (Brazil), which serves the local water and gas distribution market and other industrial segments. The acquisition provides GF Piping Systems with a unique platform for further growth in Brazil and South America.
INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR WATER LOSS
GF Piping Systems signs a partnership agreement with Oxford Flow Ltd., Oxford (UK) and acquires a stake in the company. Its innovative pressure-regulating valve enables utility companies to reduce water loss, a major problem around the globe.
NEW GOALS, NEW CHALLENGES
In addition to the GF Strategy 2025, with its three strategic focus areas, GF presents a new vision and defines for the first time a company-wide purpose – “Becoming better every day – since 1802” – as well as three new values.
GF STRATEGY 2025 KICK-OFF
For the strategy kick-off on 3 March 2021, all three divisions prepare comprehensive information packages for their employees and publish statements from the division presidents. A range of events takes place around the world. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of them are virtual or limited to small groups. In addition, GF Piping Systems, for example, launches a new series of awards associated with the GF Strategy 2025 while GF Casting Solutions shares numerous live videos with the division management from the new showroom in Schaffhausen.
A TIME CAPSULE FOR THE FUTURE
As a creative contribution to the launch of the GF Strategy 2025, colleagues from GF Piping Systems in Irvine, CA (US), buried a time capsule filled with employees’ predictions of how GF Piping Systems Americas will look in the year 2025 and how many employees the facility will have by then. They plan to dig up the time capsule at the end of the Strategy 2025 period.
FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is an integral part of the GF Strategy 2025: In the last years, several regional sustainability conferences in Europe, Asia or the Americas took place to ensure a cross-divisional exchange on sustainability topics. In 2021, GF continues with this tradition and extends the scope to a global virtual sustainability conference in the second half of the year.