Building the Future: Master of All
Purchasing Manager Honda Tseng is something of a jack-of-all-trades. But that doesn’t mean he’s not an expert. From negotiating prices to fine-tuning warranties, Honda proves it’s possible to be skilled at (almost) everything.
I lead three groups within the company right now. The first is purchasing, so I manage the acquisition of all parts and materials. I also head up the quality control department, finding ways to ensure every bike we make is up-to-standard. And recently I’ve taken charge of the warranty team, streamlining those processes with all our suppliers. It’s a lot to stay on top of, but it definitely keeps life interesting.
I’ve worked in purchasing for a long time, but I never liked how political it would get at other companies. There’d be so much friction between departments, and no real cooperation. Here, we’re all united by VanMoof’s mission to get the next billion on bikes – it’s a much more constructive atmosphere.
I’m focused on strengthening our quality control processes. In the new year, we’re hiring more QC specialists, with the aim to have an agent at every stage of production. We’ll be able to identify potential issues before they cause a problem, and solve them before they can impact the supply chain. Nobody else makes bikes the way we do, we’re really pushing the whole industry forward.
We use our production orders to manufacture all parts. It means we can track and monitor everything, from the raw materials all the way until the parts ship out. I try to take the same approach with my team – I always ask what their longterm plans are, and check in regularly to make sure their goals and ambitions are aligned with VanMoof’s.
My major was in Mechanical Engineering, and I used to work in R&D. But it was always mobility – or the potential for better, smarter transportation – which excited me. A bike isn’t like a cellphone; it’s not something you use for a few years and throw away. It’s something that really changes the way you see the world and live your life.
Almost everyone in Taiwan owns a scooter. And if you own a scooter, you feel like you have to use it every day, to get your money’s worth. But if you make more transport options available, your perspective changes. Riding an e-bike, even if it’s just once or twice a week, really improves your mindest. It’s so much simpler. You just feel freer… like you’re living in the moment.