SGN #48

57 min.

GF Installations: The success story that proves that sticking vinyl is only half the job

Gastón Fernández tells us how he created a network of 120 installers and professionalized the graphic installation sector in Argentina.

Audio
Podcast

About the episode

In this episode of Signolia , we explored together with Gastón Fernández, founder of Jefe Instalaciones the evolution of the graphic installation sector in Argentina. From his beginnings in the 90s to leading a network of more than 120 installers, Gastón offers us a unique vision on how to professionalize a historically informal trade.

During the talk, we analyzed how outsourcing and specialization are key to scaling in an increasingly diverse and technical sector. We talked about the importance of logistics management, digital monitoring of facilities and continuous training of the team, as well as how to adapt to contexts as unstable as Argentina's.

With impressive examples, such as the transformation of 55 stores in 5 hours, Gastón demonstrates that planning and technology are as important as technical capacity. We also reflected on the need to train new generations in the trade and the role of companies in this process.

Episode Summary

0:00

Introduction and guest presentation
Sergio welcomes Gastón Fernández, manager of Head of Facilities in Argentina, with whom he shares a parallel career.

1:00

Beginnings in graphic installation in the 90s
Gastón recounts his beginnings in large-format signage and how the lack of machinery boosted his ingenuity.

3:59

National and international expansion
He developed the system that led him to manage facilities in Argentina and Brazil at just 23 years old.

6:00

Adapting to the crisis: flexibility as an advantage
He tells how the Argentine crises led him to structure his company in an agile and resilient way.

8:00

The value of outsourcing and specialising
We look at how industry growth requires specialization and strategic alliances rather than huge internal teams.

11:00

Training and selection of installers
It explains how they train and identify talent in their network, prioritizing human values in addition to technical ones.

13:00

Comprehensive management beyond sticking
Gastón details why the installation is only 50% of the work and how they manage all the logistics and prior advice.

17:00

Case studies: Bulk installation in 36 hours
He tells how they coordinated 130 people to change the image of 40 premises in record time.

22:00

High-profile vessels, aircraft and projects
It reveals their experience in complex technical jobs and how they deal with certifications and risks.

25:00

The role of continuing education
Share how they foster learning by sharing news, materials, and techniques within the team.

28:00

Economics and business model transformation
He talks about how economic policies affect the sector and how they adapted from state to corporate work

31:00

The pandemic as a turning point
He explains how they took advantage of the pandemic to grow and reorganize their structure, including developing tracking software.

39:00

Technology: online tracking and selection
They describe their web tracking system, differentiated profiles and automated processes for customers and installers.

43:00

Human resources and values
Gastón emphasizes the human quality of the team as a key element for long-term success.

45:00

Official training and generational change
We discussed the lack of formal training in Argentina and Spain, and the difficulty in attracting new generations to the sector.

54:00

Closing and next steps
Sergio and Gastón conclude with the intention of a second episode and future collaborations between Spain and Argentina.

Related Links

GF Facilities
WEB GF INSTALLATIONS

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We

Gastón Fernández

Gastón Fernández is the founder and manager of Jefe Instalaciones (Chief of Installations), an Argentine company that is a benchmark in the graphic installation sector. With almost 3...

Sergio Carbonell

More than 20 years in the business world, in the areas of point-of-sale branding and online marketing.

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