There are people who do not understand discipline as an obligation, but as a way of life. Adriano Cano is one of them. He joined the Gobik team a few months ago to take on the role of Head of Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. He came with the solid background of a major company in Elche (Alicante), but also with the drive of someone who was already a fan and customer of our brand from the outside. For him, making the move was a natural decision: "Gobik represents something unique: passion, innovation and exponential growth. As soon as I saw the opportunity to contribute my experience to a project with this pace, I did not hesitate".
His day-to-day starts early on the road. Far from seeing the daily commute from Elche as a barrier, Adriano has turned it into his space for transition and productivity:
"I use it to plan the day's priorities, negotiations or key meetings. I arrive at the office ready to get started. On the way back, it is my moment to disconnect and process what has worked".
Alignment and business challenges
Leading purchasing at a brand growing at breakneck speed demands anticipation. For Adriano, the key to keeping the team motivated under pressure is empathy and establishing very clear foundations: "Stress usually comes from uncertainty. If everyone knows what is expected of them and what tools they have at their disposal, everything flows. I like to lead by example and always remember the real impact of what we do".
The department’s great challenge is considerable: supporting Gobik’s scalability without losing flexibility, the highest quality and cost control. "The current challenge is to optimize delivery times and mitigate risks. We are working intensively to diversify intelligently", he tells us about his medium-term objectives.
The invisible training
Adriano is a natural athlete; he runs, rides and trains daily, almost since childhood. For him, endurance sport is mental health, but also the place where character is forged: "Discipline is not something you switch on and off: it is trained. The tarmac teaches you to tolerate frustration, to stay consistent when your legs feel heavy, and to understand that great results are the sum of many invisible training sessions".
That competitive mindset coexists inseparably with his profession when he has a new garment in his hands. His perspective is dual: that of the demanding user seeking performance and that of the professional analysing costs and materials. "It is an advantage that allows me to negotiate with real product knowledge and contribute viable solutions together with the development team".
Although he has been with the company for only a short time, he already feels 100% integrated into the Gobik culture, and a big part of the reason is the group rides we do at midday: "They are unique moments to get to know colleagues you do not deal with directly. Even if you head out with the 'pros' group who guarantee a 'steady' pace... we all know it always ends up full gas against each other", he says with a laugh.
Quick questions for Adriano
One word to define Gobik: Nonconformity.
Coffee before or beer after?: Coffee before, always! Fuel for full gas.
Your favorite Gobik garment?: X Bib Shorts. I already have 4 or 5 in different colors.
A cyclist to go for a ride with tomorrow?: Sepp Kuss, a true leader in the shadows.
The best excuse not to go out riding?: To recover family points.
Tour, Giro or Vuelta?: Definitely the Tour, for its unique settings.
A song to pedal to?: Any Coldplay song.
