Making The World Go Around

SGS Is A Hugely Important Cog In The Machinery Of International Imports And Exports, And The Managing Director Of Sgs China, Steven Du, Believes It Can Contribute To The Nation’s Economic Growth.

- Oliver Featherston

SGS is one of those companies that operates on the periphery of public consciousness and yet provides a hugely essential service to countless industries. Though it may not be recognisable to the layperson, the global company has not only been around for more than 100 years, but is an essential facilitator of exports and imports across the world. Steven Du, now Managing Director of SGS China, wasn’t familiar with the company before he started working with the group, but he was quickly impressed with the crucial services it provided.

“What’s interesting is, before joining SGS, I had no idea about this industry, which we call the TIC industry – Testing, Inspection and Certification,” he says. “After being in the company for a few months, I found what we offer is interesting, because what we do helps local manufacturers to fulfil international safety and quality standards. China is a big production base for many global businesses, and the services we offer help exporters and facilitate international trade.”

The company’s legacy stretches back to 1878, when some enterprising individuals in Europe began to inspect grain shipments on behalf of exporters. In 1919, the organisation was registered as Societe Generale de Surveillance in Geneva, and in the decades following, has expanded its customer base far beyond grain shipping. From energy, oil and gas to construction, engineering and transportation, SGS supports many diverse customers.