Steel generations XVII – Laying foundations for new generations

“My name is Gabriel Gilis and I am the 3rd generation in my family to work in the steel industry. In this short sentence, 33 years of history are hidden – almost as long as the history of steel production in Huta Katowice, now the Dabrowa Gornicza unit of ArcelorMittal Poland. Everything started in 1976, when my grandfather – Romuald Gilis – became an electrical supervisor in the mechanical department of the newly erected steel plant.  In the same year, my grandmother – Wladyslawa – started working in the HR department. They both laid the steel foundations for the next generations.

In the early 1980s, my father – Ryszard Gilis – became a member of the steel family by joining the maintenance department in the medium section mill. We were living in Dabrowa Gornicza at that time, so for the most part our lives revolved around the steel plant. It was not by accident that I chose to study at the Silesian University of Technology, from which I graduated with a Master’s degree in chemical and process engineering. It was at this moment in history that I strayed from the steel path and became a production process engineer in the glass industry…

I did however realise that steel is far more sustainable than glass, and in July 2008 I applied for a position within the framework of the Group Engineers Programme. Unexpectedly, I received an offer to work for Frank Schulz, then CEO of Unit East in FCE, which I gladly accepted. I am now coordinating the Twinning Activity in the Business Division East and managing SixSigma with other local colleagues. I am also an Executive Assistant for the new CEO, Sanjay Samaddar.

In August I am going to become the father of a new baby boy and I hope that Adam will carry our steel tradition into the 4th generation…”