Interview with Rafał Chomont - the owner of No Gravity

Today, we invite you to read the interview, which we conducted with the owner of the company No Gravity – Rafal Chomont. In the text you will find observations on the diving industry from the perspective of the manufacturer of equipment and learn about plans for the future and the summary of previous activities. Many of you have probably already had contact with No Gravity equipment, now you have the opportunity to get to know the company from another side!

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Where did the idea to manufacture equipment come from. What was your first idea and what made you decide on warmers? Do you also dive yourself?

Yes, I dive. I started my adventure with this sport with my wife about 8 years ago. As far as the first part of your question is concerned, it’s just that the equipment I was using had some shortcomings. As time went by, the idea matured in my head and I finally decided to make my first warmer and then everything went very quickly. The fact that I helped my father in his sewing room from an early age was also important here.

You are systematically expanding your product range. Can you tell us something about the latest products and the direction in which No Gravity is heading?

As far as possible, we try to develop our offer. In Warsaw, at the “Podwodna Przygoda” fair, we presented two novelties – a heating waistcoat and a prototype of a dry suit. There are more things in plans, but I will keep them secret for now.

Rafał we are talking at the moment, when behind No Gravity the first year of activity on the diving market. Tell us what was this period for you? What have you achieved during this time and do you think that you have fulfilled your plan?

Exactly, 15 April is the date when we will have passed our first year of operation. This first year is usually the most difficult, but I think we have done quite well. There have been a lot of surprises and surprising situations, both good and bad. We didn’t fulfil our plan, because I always set myself very ambitious goals, beyond what is actually possible. However, it was a very decent year. In 2012, we received the Polartec Apex Award for the Mamooth Plus warmer, and this year we were nominated for the heating waistcoat. I would summarise these 12 months as very busy and allowing us to look to the future with optimism.

How are you perceived in the marketplace by customers, distributors etc.? What impressions do users have of you?

It is not for me to judge, it is best to ask people who use our products. It is obvious that everyone praises their own.

But some voices from divers are getting through to you….

Yes, the reception is very positive. After all, we saw each other in Warsaw and Lodz, so you could see for yourself how interested people are in our products. We are happy that people are not closed to novelties, they look for what is best for them, often not afraid to invest more money in the name of quality, which is given by equipment made in Poland from the best materials.

You have been visible at many events. What kind of promotional activities did you do to promote the brand and is it hard to establish yourself in the diving market?

In 2012. We appeared at 15 events, this year we were already in Warsaw and Lodz. These types of meetings are a great opportunity to promote the brand. It was also evident from the response from retail customers. In every industry the beginning is hard, not only in diving. You need to gain the trust of customers and show them that your offer is worthy of attention. That’s why No Gravity’s signature products work together as a whole. In addition to warmers, we offer diving underwear in several types, spools, reels and “after dive accessories”. Now we are adding a wetsuit and a heating waistcoat. This shows that we try to act comprehensively for the highest comfort of the diver.

Do you think your diving experience and knowledge of the diving world, how it works, was helpful in creating the No Gravity offer?

No two tasks. Being part of this world myself, we had an easier path in guessing the needs of the customers and how to reach them. My diving experience may not be extensive, but these few years have allowed me to gain a proper overview of the situation, which has resulted in the creation of a wide range of diverse and well-thought-out warmers and other accessories.

What do you see as the factor to convince customers of your products?

Our main assets are high quality, reliability and production in the country. This combined with our wide range of products is our key to success. Our customers have access to virtually all our products before they buy. Thanks to a large number of test warmers, we give the possibility to get acquainted with the product before they decide to spend money on it. In our offer, everyone will find something for themselves, both recreational and technical divers, and these were also the assumptions. I think this is the fairest approach, when it is the user, based on their own experience, who can decide what is best for them.

You were at Das Boot in Dusseldorf, what were your impressions of the fair? Did you manage to establish yourselves abroad? What plans does No Gravity have regarding export?

In Germany you could see us at the stand of the Oceanic company. This is our distributor for the German market. We have big expansion plans and are looking to the west and east with equal attention. I hope that as soon as possible we will be able to establish ourselves outside Poland and this will allow us to develop our offer.

What is your first experience of working with a foreign customer?

Very positive. Oceanic is a very good representative, based on a solid foundation built up over many years. We are pleasantly surprised by the number and volume of orders, and the fact that the company has a very large sales network throughout Germany and Austria is encouraging.

How did your competitors react to your appearance, do you know how impressed they were with the products in the No Gravity range?

You would have to ask our competitors (laughs). I’m all for healthy competition, because then everyone, including the customer, is happy.

Is there unhealthy competition in Poland?

Fortunately, I have not yet encountered one.

What are you most satisfied with?

We have survived the first year and have interesting prospects for the coming years. Now it is time to get down to implementing our plans. I am thinking about the season that is about to begin, but also about the years to come. This is gratifying and gives me satisfaction. However, it is important to remember the most important thing. This would not have been possible if it were not for the satisfaction of our customers, so I am most pleased that they are satisfied.

Rafał I wish you good luck and thank you for the interview

Thank you and greetings to our readers. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to our success, and I would like to invite those who have not yet had the opportunity to meet us to test and review our products.

Source: Divers24
Photo: No Gravity