Quality as the primary factor
The company is committed to the continuous development of both technology and innovation. Their own R&D team travels the world researching new developments in the areas of high performance materials, specific treatments and innovations, in order to be able to offer top-quality products for each new season. Much attention is given to development of brands for both professional and amateur athletes. This positively affects the quality of processes and the size of the range, both of which are essential for successful, long-term business partnerships, quality and the profitability of the entire Group. The company has its eyes firmly fixed on the global market and trades in more than 60 countries.
“This widely dispersed network of partners and representatives allows us to create products and design market strategies that attract local as well as global markets,” they proudly state, adding that corporate responsibility to the environment, business partners and employees has, for a number of years, been one of the most important company values. As such, it is documented in the company’s code of conduct, in accordance with the SA 8000 standard.
Plans for long-term development
Currently the Slovenian company, which is the largest in the Group, employs 62 staff. In 2013 they generated nearly 33 million euros in revenue and just over 1.2 million euros of net profit. They are truly focused on lonq-term development, and all profits are retained for use in new investments and development projects, such as purchasing the most technically-advanced knittinq machinery. Also, a larqe amount of profit is retained and allocated to company reserves. Continuous investment in innovation and constant development are the two key elements in the design of their products and business processes.
Dennis Hurwits explains: “New technology and a strong focus on development play key roles in our operations. Our sales team is familiar with various markets and applies new technologies and materials to further our development. Another key factor is ensuring that these new technologies and materials are integrated into the production process to guarantee the products’ correct functionality.” It comes therefore, as no surprise that the R&D division was there at the very beginning and boasts 35 years of experience.
“Our company’s success could not be imagined without the invaluable contribution of our R&D department, broadening our knowledge and developing innovative high-tech materials and technologies for our product ranges. Thus, we stay a step ahead in the market and add value,” proudly explains the Intersocks team.
lnquisitive spirit, boldness and inteqrity
As innovations and the company’s success are the fruits of hard work, Intersocks feels a great responsibility to its workforce. “This responsibility is even greater for us in carrying on the success story initiated by our father. As entrepreneurs, we have made a major commitment to the livelihood of a large number of staff,” explains Debby Hurwits, Dé’s daughter, who is sure that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is one of the major challenges faced by all family businesses:
“Once all three of us, as the next generation, had joined the family business, it took some time to separate private and business lives and most of our family qatherinqs finished with us talkinq shop. We constantly think about our company. However, in recent years we have succeeded in improving this situation.”
In their opinion, family characteristics which they bring to the business, including an inquisitive spirit, boldness and integrity, also play a vital role.
“We offer exceptional concepts that brinq lonq-term profitability and the benefits of synerqy to all participants in the business process," they proudly point out. Following a very successful restructuring in 2000, the company’s best results in terms of qrowth, business scope and profits, have come in the past few years.
“As long as we know how to steer the company in the future, I am confident that our success will be long-term. Thus, our focus is firmly on the future,” Dé assures us.
Family aspect
The company’s move to Slovenia in 2004 was also a turning point for the integration of the second generation into the family business. This is how Debby remembers those times:
“It was then that we all accepted our first real responsibilities and we have since become increasinqly independent and confident. We were entrusted with independent responsibilities in the field of sales: Dennis in the area of development, Daan in distribution, while I was responsible for the company’s move to Slovenia.” Dennis is quick to add: “In recent years, as the number of projects has relentlessly grown, so has the associated responsibility. To me, being part of a family business is a challenge that helps me grow personally.
It requires a vast amount of thought and understanding. While the second generation is consolidating, our father is the one who is responsible for final approval of key decisions as the chief consultant to the company," says Dennis with a smile, while Daan adds: “We appreciate our father’s vast experience and advice. A combination of experience and new, fresh ideas is the key to success.”
Dé distilled his wealth of experience into three pieces of advice to his children: “First, family business is very important, but even more important is that we get along and that we are a happy family; second, differences of opinion should be discussed and resolved, and third, we must always be honest. One’s reputation is very precious and cannot be replaced by any amount of money,” asserts Dé, while praising his children for being smart, hardworkinq and havinq their feet firmly on the qround. He is also confident that they will maintain the successful growth of the business.
“We shall continue the good work and our hope is that at least one of our children will one day be willing to continue what our father began in 1979,” they unanimously agree.
Summary
Intersocks in a nutshell: “Innovative, efficient, qlobal, profitable and responsible.”
