Engineering at Gpi Tanks Poland is not only about designing tanks, but also about collaboration between departments, developing processes, and continuously searching for better solutions. Krzysztof Kozan, Engineering Manager, started his journey at the company over ten years ago as a Mechanical Designer. From his first projects carried out together with the team in the Netherlands to leading a team of engineers today, his story is a strong example of how development within Gpi looks in practice.
Krzysztof’s interest in engineering began during his studies. He was particularly fascinated by thermodynamics and topics related to energy and mechanics. “The most interesting part for me was everything related to thermal and cooling processes. It was a direction that naturally led me further towards design work.”
After graduating, he gained his first professional experience in the refrigeration industry. For two years, he worked on installation design, participated in technical inspections, and was involved in electrical design of heating systems. It was an intensive period of learning and building practical skills.
First years at Gpi Tanks Poland
Krzysztof joined the company in 2014 as a Mechanical Designer. The beginning of his role was closely linked to cooperation with the Dutch team. “At the beginning, I worked more or less half-and-half, part of the time in Poland, part in the Netherlands. The Polish organization was still developing, so we learned a lot from our colleagues in the Netherlands – procedures, processes, and how to manage projects.”
One of the first major projects was a pressure vessel for NGK, completed in 2015. For the Polish facility, it was an important milestone, as this type of production was still a new area of activity at the time. The project was a success, and more followed quickly. “With each new project, we gained more and more experience. Many things were implemented from scratch and adapted to the needs of the market and the company’s development.”
From projects to team management
In 2016, Krzysztof took on the role of Project Engineer. At that time, the engineering team was still relatively small, so engineers were responsible for a very broad scope of tasks. “At the beginning, together with Szymon Bednarz, we handled projects practically from A to Z. Apart from design, we were also involved in checking solutions on the shop floor, ordering materials, organizing transport, and coordinating the entire project.” As the company grew and the number of projects increased, the team gradually expanded. At the end of 2023, Krzysztof became Engineering Manager.
Today, he is responsible for planning the team’s work, developing engineering processes, and providing technical support to other departments. “A big part of my job is planning, making sure projects run smoothly and avoiding downtime. Of course, sometimes you also need to react to unexpected situations and solve problems on the go.”
Collaboration across departments
The Engineering Department at Gpi Tanks Poland works very closely with other departments, especially production and sales. “Production is our closest partner in daily work. When designing a tank, you always need to consider not only the technical solution, but also manufacturing possibilities and the next stages of execution.” The engineering team also supports the sales department by providing technical advice already at the quotation stage.
Projects that drive development
The greatest satisfaction comes from projects that require new solutions and close cooperation with the client. One such project was Epiim – a large and complex undertaking that required excellent coordination between teams. “It was a project that required strong involvement from many engineers and very precise planning. We worked closely with the client from the sales stage all the way to final execution. These are the projects that develop you the most.”
Modern tools in engineering
In recent years, tank design has significantly evolved thanks to modern tools and calculation methods. One of the key areas is the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), which allows for more accurate structural analysis and optimization of material usage. “Thanks to advanced calculations, we can better tailor the tank design, both in terms of strength and the amount of steel used, as well as the work required for its production.”
Another strong support for the team is the development of TankDesign software and the shift of more work into a cloud environment, which makes collaboration within international teams much easier.
What kind of engineer should you be?
According to Krzysztof, a good engineer should look at a project more broadly than just through the lens of a technical solution. “You need to think about the project as a whole – production, costs, further stages of execution, and how a given solution will perform in practice.” Communication skills and teamwork are equally important. “Good communication is extremely helpful in project work. I also believe that empathy is important, it helps you better understand the needs of others involved in the project.”
Krzysztof has simple advice for those considering a career in engineering: “If you want to have a real impact on the world around you and see the results of your work in practice engineering is a great choice for you.”
