WO M EN I N FR A NCH I S I N G fe at u r e
Q&A: Kim Gubera
Q&A
with Kim Gubera of Pirtek USA Kim Gubera – CEO and President of PIRTEK USA Kim Gubera is one of the very few female CEOs in the global hydraulics industry and she has successfully led PIRTEK USA, a B2B onsite and retail hydraulic hose service business, not only through a global pandemic but also to the third fastest-growing franchise based on unit percentage. 38 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
When the pandemic hit, PIRTEK USA’s services were quickly declared as essential, but the company didn’t allow this to slow down efforts to reach out to clients and offer additional customer service. Instead, they accelerated their outreach
using technology upgrades, increased their
support to franchisees, supplied on-site and curb-side-pickups, and even went as far
as moving staff and customer interaction
under tents outside their brick-and-mortar stores. Gubera’s leadership during the pandemic is linked to her personal perseverance. She grew up in a low-income, single-parent household. It took her 9 years to finish her education while taking care of her child. Starting in finance, she didn’t expect to find herself in a franchising role – yet now she harnesses her strength and work ethic as the CEO of a hydraulic hose franchise. Today she has helped PIRTEK USA surpassed their goals for 2021 despite COVID.
