THE BIG INTERVIEW
The Big Interview – Gregor Schoss T 32 SEPTEMBER 2021
he return of retail in the US and Europe creates tremendous opportunities due to the incredible pent-up demand for shared, public social experiences. As one of the global leaders in
assessment, verification, inspection and certification in line with governments certification and inspection policies, SIQ is a respected organisation throughout the world, ensuring that all work is carried out, performing all daily tasks independently of anyone having direct commercial interests in conformity assessment, ensuring that conflicts of interests are avoided. Gregor takes over the reins of SIQ from Igor Likar, who successfully conducted the institute for 30 years, setting up a huge precedent – not only in impressive executive longevity as MD, but also expanding the SIQ brand as a testing lab world leader. International Editor Ricki Chavez-Munoz asked Gregor about his plans for SIQ, as the world begins to ease out of the pandemic.
Ricki Chavez-Munoz: For many companies, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a most difficult time, and you are taking over SIQ right in the middle of this. How is SIQ is coping with such an upheaval?
GREGOR SCHOSS: Believe it or not, SIQ is doing well. Of course, it could be better, it can always be, but given the pandemic, SIQ is doing just fine. We have grown in terms of revenue, we have increased our
In May, Gregor Schoss took over as Managing Director of SIQ - Slovenian Institute of Quality and Metrology, which has been in the testing and certification business since 1964. Previously, Gregor successfully led the largest department in SIQ, Safety and Electromagnetics in a career spanning nearly 12 years.
presence in foreign markets, we have even employed new people, fired no one. And we still provide strong and reliable support to the Slovene economy and industries abroad. We have survived thanks to the range of services we provide, our flexibility to adapt to new circumstances, and the trust of our customers at home and abroad. The areas of our activity that have been most hit by the pandemic and the measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus are gaming, training, and measurement system assessments, but they have soon adapted to the new reality. Going online, they have managed not only to keep and serve their customers but attract new ones and develop. To illustrate, it is due to the pandemic and resourcefulness of the training staff that for the first time ever our training department has held an online training course in the English language for the participants from abroad. What I mean to say is that we do not fear a crisis, but rather see it as an opportunity to grow, improve, develop.
RCM: Gaming, the land-based segment, that is, has been greatly affected by the pandemic. In view of this, how do you see the future of SIQ and perhaps specifically the future of gaming? GREGOR SCHOSS: Indeed, gaming with a physical presence, has been hit by the pandemic as much as travel, accommodation, food & beverage, tourism in general, and many other industries dependent on physical presence. Humanity is learning to live with the presence of this virus, mitigating in various ways its impact on public health. As physical encounter is an essential part of our lives, it is not going to vanish. We will continue visiting
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