PASCAL HOFER > General Manager
Medical Devices
From: Fehren (SO), Switzerland.
Work: General Manager, DECTRIS USA, Philadelphia.
Hobbies: Hiking, skiing, diving, and soon sailing.
Recent book: Algorithms to Live By - Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths.
Favorite food from Switzerland: Raclette.
Favorite spot in Switzerland: The Forest
How and why did you choose Pennsylvania? As you just opened your U.S. office in Philadelphia in 2017.
There were three factors that brought us to Philadelphia. Minimal time difference to Switzerland headquarters was important. This is our first office outside of Switzerland, and we wanted to stay in close contact. Therefore the East Coast was a given. The next point was the convenience of travel, our customers are spread out and we have to get to them easily. I analyzed locations of airports, delays due to weather conditions, and proximity to the airport. From our office to Philadelphia airport, driving time is only 15 minutes. The third one was living quality and affordability. Other cities like New York and Boston were more expensive for me and our employees. This all came together and narrowed down the choice to Philadelphia.
What has surprised you most working in your field?
The U.S. was not new to us, we were already present with about 20% of our business in the country. The difference was not worrying about jet lag, and to make sure we were in the same time zone as our customers. What was a bit surprising was the number of positive responses we received from our customers. They are accustomed to receiving great customer services, but coming to the U.S. is a step up and it emphasizes how much we value them.
What do you think are the major things changing in your field within the next 5 years?
Our biggest field is X-ray detectors for Synchrotrons*. One of the biggest Synchrotrons in the world is located near Chicago. Another is in Long Island, NY, and some more in California. Some of them will go through major upgrades in the coming years. This will create demand for even faster detectors. The proximity to these Synchrotrons in the U.S. will help us to meet the bigger demands of this core market. Another area of change is electron microscopes*. We are entering this field now. Adapting our successful technology for electron microscopy has the potential to change that field in the same way it changed the Synchrotron market in the past.
What is a quality, trait, or practice you would implement from Switzerland to the U.S.?
In Switzerland, you work hard while at work and when you are done, you go home. I find people in the U.S. being more distracted at work. This adds longer unproductive hours at the office. Being dedicated to your task while at the office is a Swiss value. This is an impression I got when interacting with service providers while setting up our office and my own living arrangements. I would greatly appreciate more focus and dedication.
Does the same line of work vary in the U.S. compared to Switzerland? Is it the same? How so?
It is a global niche market that is well connected. There are some cultural differences but science connects everything fittingly. Our U.S. customers are efficient in implementing new products, which works well with our Swiss work ethics.
How does your Swiss culture impact and contribute to your work?
I love punctuality. For example, being at a meeting 3 minutes early. If I’m not there before the meeting time I feel uncomfortable. I expect people to be on time, just like I am. I think that’s Swiss etiquette. Another Swiss etiquette: you do what you say, and when you promise something you stick to it. This makes you think more clearly about what you are promising. Our customers value it.
What do you miss most about Switzerland?
My wife who is still in Switzerland working, but she will join me very soon. I also miss my family and friends. On the other hand, we are lucky to live in this century; I can get to Switzerland in 8 hours. I can always travel home when I want to. There is not much to miss if you can get the best of both countries.
You lived in multiple countries, what challenges did you face when you opened your company in the U.S.?
Cultural shock is always a concern when people move to a new country. I thought I was exempt due to my time living briefly in the United Kingdom and two years in China. That wasn’t true! There were still situations that challenged and surprised me. For example, setting up bank accounts, writing checks (which we don’t do in Switzerland), filing taxes, and leasing apartments are different. When establishing my business here, I went to several advisors. I was sent along various paths because the advisors had very particular knowledge. In hindsight, it would have been helpful to find one person who had a broader overview. When it comes to business in the States, legal regulations are different. You have to be particularly vigilant when protecting yourself and your business.
SUCCESS STORIES:
DECTRIS X-ray detector helped to find an antibody that can fight the Zika virus.
DECTRIS holds the world record in calculating the number Pi to the most digits.
Additional success stories can be found here.
To find out more about Pascal Hofer, please visit his website.
Synchrotron* - A circular particle accelerator that produces strong focused X-rays. These X-rays are used to analyze samples in biochemistry research and material science. X-ray detectors are an important part of the entire installation.
Electron Microscope* - A type of microscope that uses a beam of electrons to create an image of the specimen. It is capable of much higher magnifications and has a greater resolving power than a light microscope, allowing it to see much smaller objects in finer detail.
We welcome your comments at swissimpact.pa@gmail.com
Thank you!