Quote from: "Graham Lee"Oswald,

1, Could you give everyone a little insight into what you do, travelling the world etc.
A/ My task in Sempertex is to look and lead for the future of the company. Part of this job is to learn about different cultures and markets and of course to develop long term friendly businessrelationships world wide. To understand the changes and translate this information in solutions.

2, Where in the world are you at the moment.
A/ Now I am in Barranquilla, Colombia in our factory, sitted in front of my computer, having a warm cup of Colombian coffe and while I am answering these questions, watching the landscape of the Magdalena river which cross the country for more than 1000 kms from south to north and is 1000 meters wide. But my thoughts are sparkinlg and boiling worlwide, no matter where I am sitted today or tomorrow, I think global while interact local (this is an expression of Peter Drucker, not mine).

3, How long have you been the owner of Sempertex.
A/ Sempertex was started by my father Emil Loewy in 1938, but he was already in latex since 1924 whe he worked for a rubber company in Austria. In 1938, because the winds of the II world war he left Austria and started this compnay here in Colombia. I am working for Sempertex since July 18, 1978, this year 30 years on line.

4, Who did you take over from.
A/ This was a natural process that was accelerated when my father became seek, so I decided to join the company before it was expected. My mother who was driving the firm was a huge support impulsing me to take decisions until the time she considered  comfortable enough to let me fly alone.

5, Has it been in the family since day one ?
A/ Yes, Sempertex and Loewy are almost the same word here in Colombia. Today Amalia, Kenneth and Lissy, 3 of my six brothers and sisters work for the company.

6, How did sempertex start.
A/ Like a dream and step by step: 1% inspiration 99% transpiration. [/b]

7, How did it get the name.
A/Semper in latine means Ever and Tex is the connection with latex: Latex forever or Forever Latex

8, How many people worked for Sempertex when it first started, how many do you employ now.
A/ It started with 20 people, today almost 700.

9, How large is the factory.
A/ The land is 50.000 square meters. The buildings about 20.000 square meters.

10, Do you have any film footage you can share of how the balloons are made.
A/ Many of you know that Sempertex was the first latex balloon company to show its production process in different open events like All Star Review, Twist N' Shout, Australasian Balloon Conevntions and others equal important. We will love to present this images as many times as possible in the next future but we can not display it in internet. Like the magicians we repeat the trick as many times as possible but for obvious reasons we cannot explain the secret.

11, What is the greatest challenge for the company in todays soaring prices.
A/ The soaring prices is a situation that is just starting, so it is time to be 100% there are not suprises anymore, we are now leaving within a huge surprise. It is time to learn that this will be the way from now on. To maintain the original and best quality & service promise is our priority and commitment. There are many temptations for some manufacturers to cut costs buying cheaper materials or changing the originl standards. We look for the long term of the business and we know that the survival of all the industrie, from the very beggining at the rubber tree tapping until the other end point where the artists, entertainers and the smiling consumer are, all will depend on the rsponsibility, profesionalism and honesty of the manufacturers. We will keep all our highest standards. All our suppliers are commited with this long term plan and this is the greatest challenge, to integrate a full supply chain for the full satisfaction of all of us.
12, Talking of soaring prices, when am I going to get a pay rise  :lol:  :lol:
A/ Soon, very soon !

Graham Lee

Quote from: "Professor T Wist"Hi Oswald, thanks for doing this interview.

As Graham said someone should I will, can you tell us about your night out with those madcap twisters in Phoenix ?

Quote from: "Roger"Hi Oswald
Some gentle ones to start with.
A/ Thank you for this warm up Roger !

Do you ever twist balloons yourself?
A/ Yes,  of course. But I have to confess that I enjoy more watching others doing the wonderful pieces you built.

Have you any plans for any unusual shapes? You know like those geo things someone else makes
A/ Yes, we plan to discontinue some of the actual items and introduce new shapes that we consider more friendly fo distorsions etc. The geos ore donuts are not of our menu.

Out of all the things you must have seen made out of balloons, what has brought out the biggest WOW!!

A/ I am person that loves to discover new things everyday and enjoy to be impressed, so my capacity to react and say WOW is permanent, natural and systematic, I see opportunities everywhere all the time. When I see the peace and love between humand beings, maybe more than a a WOW it tells me the main reason to be alive between others !

Regards
Roger

Quote from: "Graham Lee"Oswald,

1, Where have you been travelling to so far this year and what for? (shows, exhibitions)

A/ This year I have been travelling through Europe and all America doing some shows and exhibitions.

2, Where are you planning on going to for the rest of the year?

A/ Well, continue visiting some other countries in America and in Asia.

3, Are you a hands on type of person or are you good at delegating?

A/ Depends. In corporate terms I definitely delegate and like the team work but I also enjoy participating some times as a single individual and in that cases I put my figer print.

4, How many hours a week do you put into running Sempertex?

A/ Between 55 to 60.  I wake up at 04:45 every day and return to be around 11:00 pm. Take out 90 minutes for the three meals, 1 hour in the gym and you have the numbers.

5, What gives you the most satisfaction about running the buisness?

A/ I have to say that I am some kind of perfectionist and love things well done. When I see that the full system is operating as expected and my team is taking their own initiatives and right decisions, then I enjoy watching instead "doing" if I can say this expression.


Graham Lee