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Plumbing and piping supplier Uponor is now called GF Building Flow Solutions Americas following its takeover in November 2023.

Erica Amevo, vice president of human resources, said the company’s commitment to recruiting and employing women in a male-dominated field will not change.

“We’ve broken down barriers in our office jobs, from the executive suite down,” she said. “We’ve exponentially increased the proportion of women in manufacturing.”

The company has redesigned manufacturing positions that require physical strength so that older and female employees can perform them. According to Amevo, GF Building Flow Solutions Americas has grown from one woman in manufacturing to 10% of the workforce today.

The company promotes women internally and externally, starting with top executives who support diversity initiatives. Amevo and several other female leaders testify to the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The company hosts internal events to educate employees on various DEI topics, including women in leadership, generational diversity, and more. It continues to support community inclusion initiatives such as the People of Color Career Fair, Dress for Success, and the Kate Dunwoody Society at Dunwoody College of Technology.

GF Building Flow Solutions Americas also maintains relationships with high school organizations that nurture the talent of young female engineers. Two all-female FIRST Tech Challenge robotics teams from the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage and Apple Valley School Districts received support from the company.

Amevo said the outreach “lays the groundwork” to showcase jobs in the industry. The company wants to show young adults that the industry pays well and offers opportunities for advancement, especially for those who don’t necessarily want to go to college.

“We continue to find great people to help us build a strong culture, especially for women,” said Amevo. “I remember early in my career, I was the only woman in the room at many meetings. That’s starting to change and that’s a good thing for all of us.”