Q&A with Operations Manager, Brian Gregory
Univega-USA's highly skilled team has assembled high-quality bicycles in South Carolina for five years now. But, what exactly do they look for when expanding their team? Brian Gregory, who is the Operations Manager, explains what he looks for in new hires and what the brand means to him:
Q: Finding the right fit in your team can be a challenge. What skills and characteristics do you look for when hiring people to work in your team?
A: I look for people who have a great attitude and enjoy working in a team environment to fit into the family dynamic that we have created here at Univega-USA. I also look for people who have a strong work ethic and enjoy working with their hands, and have a willingness to learn.
Q: How does it feel to be a part of an organization that pushes for more American jobs?
A: I love the fact that this organization is bringing jobs back to America. It is amazing that we can open this business in a small rural town and bring a different manufacturing type closer to the local townsfolk who would typically have to travel out of town for work.
Q: Since Univega USA bikes are assembled in South Carolina, in your opinion, what does supporting a USA-based business do for the local community?
A: It gives the local community pride to know that, even though it is a small town, they are the largest maker of bicycles in North America. That's amazing if you think about it!
Q: With new employees entering the workforce, would you be open to hiring someone who might not be as experienced in the industry?
A: Absolutely. As I stated before, we are looking for employees with great attitudes and a willingness to learn. Give me those two ingredients, and we can train them and help them become successful at Univega-USA.
Q: How long on average does it take to build a Univega-USA bicycle?
A: Every model will take a different amount of time. Overall, with kitting, sub-assembly, and bike assembly, it would be on average about 30 minutes per bike.
Q: What's the most rewarding part of your job?
A: For me, it’s producing high-quality bikes assembled in the USA that are priced competitively with the direct imports sold by other companies—but, it’s also watching our employees grow. Most new employees’ entire experience with cycling is based on riding a bike as a kid, as it is for most of us. It is very rewarding to see these people, after going through our training program, be able to grasp the ins-and-outs of what goes into actually making a bicycle, as well as learning about the industry as a whole.
Q: If you had to choose, which Univega-USA bike would you ride?
A: I currently ride my 27.5" Rover Mesa just about every day. It is the ideal bike for both cruising the streets and hitting the mountains, which is perfect for where I live.
