A legacy of innovation: Mishra Kousik Kumar

Portrait of Mishra Kumar
Date: 09.10.25
As Trelleborg celebrates 120 years of shaping industry, we honor the people whose dedication and vision have propelled us forward. Among them is Mishra Kousik Kumar, Business Unit Director of Technology, Innovation & Sustainability, whose career is a testament to the power of a growth mindset and a passion for progress. His 24-year journey with us is not just a story of personal achievement, but a reflection of Trelleborg’s core values in action.

From New Beginnings to a Global Impact

Mishra’s story with Trelleborg began in 2001. Having recently moved to Singapore from India, he was looking for a role that matched his background in Polymer Science and Chemical Engineering. He found that opportunity at Trelleborg’s Singapore manufacturing site. "I directly approached the Production Manager," he recalls, "and was offered a role as a Production Supervisor." Eager to gain hands-on experience and grow within a multinational Scandinavian company, he embraced the challenge.
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His hard work and ability to navigate cultural diversity quickly paid off. Promotions to Production Engineer and then Technical Manager followed, expanding his responsibilities. A pivotal moment came when he was tasked with transferring technical knowledge to Trelleborg's new facility in China, a role that marked his transition to a global stage.

A Game-Changing Innovation

One of Mishra’s most significant contributions came at a critical time. The marine systems business was losing projects to low-cost competitors, and our high-quality marine rubber fenders were being treated as a commodity. "I soon realized that continuing down that path wouldn't take us far," Mishra explains.
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He took the lead, introducing a new testing method that could prove the superior quality of Trelleborg’s rubber fenders by analyzing small samples. This initiative, backed by educational campaigns, brought a major shift to the industry. The new test became widely accepted and was eventually adopted into purchase specifications, helping to de-commoditize fenders. "It is through this initiative we could re-establish Trelleborg as the global leader in the marine fender industry," he says, "an achievement I’m incredibly proud to have contributed to."

Shaping Industry from the Inside

Mishra’s influence extends far beyond our organization. His drive for innovation led him to establish a global technology team, a world-class R&D laboratory, and a state-of-the-art product testing facility. He also championed the use of finite element analysis (FEA) to optimize product design and efficiency.
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A true highlight of his career was joining the PIANC working group, where he helped develop global guidelines for the marine fender industry. "Contributing to the drafting of a major chapter in these internationally recognized guidelines was not only a personal milestone, but also a proud moment in representing and elevating Trelleborg’s name," he shares. Seeing his research findings adopted into the British Standard further solidified the impact of his work on a global scale.

Advice for the Future

After more than two decades, Mishra remains as passionate as ever. His advice to future generations of Trelleborg employees is born from experience:

  • Always look at the bigger picture. Strive for long-term, sustainable innovation.
  • Maintain an outward focus. Never become complacent.
  • Adopt a growth mindset. Learn something every day and work towards building true mastery.
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Mishra Kousik Kumar’s legacy of innovation, partnership, and dedication is woven into the fabric of our history. His journey shows how one person’s commitment can drive business growth.
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Discover more stories from our 120-year history.