For more than forty years, Pro QC has grown by combining international coverage with a very local way of working. Few illustrate that balance better than Thomas Kaiser. Now Regional Director Americas, his career has taken him from factory floors in Germany to over a decade in China, and eventually to leading teams across the Americas. Thomas’ path has been shaped not only by technical expertise but also by the ability to work across cultures and industries. That mix of hands-on knowledge and people skills is what defines his approach today. In this conversation, he shares what first drew him toward quality and supply chain management, the realities he sees in the Americas market, and the priorities that guide him. 1. Thomas, could you briefly share your background and how it shapes the way you lead Pro QC in the Americas? I began my professional career in 1980 with a German industrial company, where I worked for 16 years. The turning point came when I moved to China to manage a joint venture, which led me to stay there for 15 years. During that time, I worked for a well-known certification body before joining Pro QC, where I’ve now been for the past 10 years. Having experienced different industries and cultures has been extremely valuable in shaping the way I lead and connect with both our teams and clients. 2. What first drew you to the world of quality and supply chain management? My first exposure came early in my career in Germany, when my company was audited for ISO 9001 by TÜV. Later, during my years in China with a certification body, most of my clients were in the retail sector. It was fascinating to see the different approaches of European and U.S. retailers — from how they defined quality to how much budget they dedicated to quality control. 3. What are your main priorities for Pro QC in North America and Latin America today? In a nutshell: building strong teams, bridging cultural differences internally and externally, and driving continuous process improvement. Technology is evolving quickly, so ensuring our processes keep pace is a top priority. 4. What initiatives are you most focused on to strengthen Pro QC’s presence and impact here? Strengthening our brand visibility, especially in Latin America. We want to be recognized not just as another service provider, but as a trusted partner who consistently goes the extra mile for our clients. 5. What are the unique challenges in ensuring quality across the Americas compared to other regions? As in many regions, quality remains very much a people business. Success depends on understanding different cultures, working habits, and, of course, diverse political environments. 6. How do you see nearshoring and regionalization shaping supply chains in the Americas? Nearshoring and regionalization are fundamentally reshaping supply chains in the Americas by making them more resilient, agile, and customer-centric. Companies are increasingly balancing cost-efficiency with risk management, which makes proximity to markets just as important as low-cost sourcing. We’re seeing greater investment in Mexico, Central America, and South America as firms diversify away from single-source dependencies and shorten lead times. This shift not only strengthens resilience but also creates opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and sustainability across the region. In the long term, nearshoring will foster stronger trade corridors, new supplier ecosystems, and supply chains that are closer to end consumers. 7. When you think of the Americas market, what example best highlights the value Pro QC brings to clients here? One example is how Pro QC supports clients diversifying from Asia into the Americas. With decades of experience in China and across Asia, we understand global supply chain dynamics and the challenges companies face when qualifying new suppliers or shifting production. By combining our established presence in Asia with our growing operations in Mexico and throughout the Americas, we provide seamless quality assurance — from supplier audits and inspections to ongoing supplier development. This gives clients the confidence to expand regionally while maintaining the same quality and reliability they’ve come to expect from Pro QC worldwide. 8. Where do you see Pro QC in the next 10 years? What trends do you see shaping the future of quality control in the Americas & LATAM? That’s a challenging question given today’s economic and geopolitical uncertainties. But we just celebrated our 40th anniversary, and I’m confident we will also celebrate our 50th and 60th. Looking ahead, artificial intelligence will have a profound impact on our industry, and Pro QC will continue adapting to ensure we remain a trusted partner for our clients. 9. What’s the most rewarding part of your role as Regional Director? Right now, the most rewarding part is seeing our teams grow together and preparing the ‘next generation’ of leaders. 10. Is there a lesson you’ve learned from your career that you always carry with you? Yes. My time in China left the biggest impression on me. The lesson was simple, expressed in a German saying: ‘Geht nicht, gibt’s nicht’ — which translates roughly to ‘there’s no such thing as impossible.’ No matter how big a challenge may seem, there is always a solution. For any requests related to the Americas, please contact Thomas at thomas_kaiser@proqc.com.
