From the moment he joined Remy in 2000, Laszlo Gal says he was entrusted with strategic decisions critical to Remy’s success. His first major assignment: develop a European sourcing organization. This assignment came at a critical time in Remy’s growth. The company had acquired several plants in a relatively short timeframe, and there was no structure in place to consolidate sourcing efforts and control costs. Applying the experience he gained from his previous role at General Electric, he helped establish a sourcing organization for Remy’s entire European operations. “At GE, I was part of a well-oiled machine,” he shares. “While it was a tremendous experience, it was quite another thing to create that machine from the beginning. It was an exciting time in my career. I valued the opportunity to come in and help develop an important part of the business.”
After three years with Remy in Europe, Laszlo joined the company’s global automotive systems team in the U.S. as divisional purchasing manager. This position promised to broaden his global exposure—something in which Laszlo was particularly interested.
“In Europe, I had the opportunity to be part of a team that made decisions which affected the entire region,” he explains. “But decisions made at Remy’s corporate headquarters affect all global operations. That was where I wanted to be.”
Today, Laszlo says he oversees the strategic and tactical management of suppliers related to global direct material purchasing and helps influence decisions that affect all Remy locations globally. In this process, he regularly interacts with colleagues around the world—from Brazil, Mexico to China, Korea and Europe. Additionally, as a member of the leadership, he is part of a team that makes decisions on long-term strategies.
To Laszlo, Remy’s fast-paced, open culture is one that challenges him in a positive way daily. “I like the pace and the opportunity to come up with new and creative solutions. I think it brings out the best in me and my colleagues.”