Jean-Marie Gury
What has been the most rewarding part of your career with Trelleborg so far?
Routines bore me. Fluid, dynamic environments draw me in. I've been regularly entrusted with different assignments since my start at the company in 1996, and that is likely the cement of my loyalty to Trelleborg. Without ever feeling like I was doing the same thing year after year, I've been able to grow and evolve alongside the company. Trelleborg has given me the opportunity to hold almost every sales position within Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.
How has your role at Trelleborg changed or developed over time?
My role has evolved significantly since I joined Busak+Shamban in 1996 as a sales engineer in northern France. Following Trelleborg's acquisition in 2003, I stepped into a leadership position, managing the industrial sales engineers team while taking on marketing responsibilities across France.
From there, I expanded into strategic market development, exploring high-growth areas like semiconductors, robotics and healthcare. Since 2014, I have taken on an increasingly international focus, specializing in pharmaceutical and medical applications and, most recently, joining the new Trelleborg Medical Solutions business area in 2025.
More recently, I've specialized in developing custom silicone and thermoplastic components for medical devices, particularly implantable devices. Over time, this has become the core of my work, which has grown highly international, both in terms of our client base and within the Trelleborg Group, and has required me to develop specific knowledge of elastomer, silicone and thermoplastic processing, quality systems for new product development, and regulations specific to medical devices.
Can you share a specific moment or project at Trelleborg that made you feel proud of your work?
It was a two-stage moment. The first was a pivotal conversation with Jürgen Bosch, who recognized my potential and invited me to join the newly formed Life Sciences Europe team. The second was the creation of the Trelleborg Medical Solutions business unit in 2025. Ten years separate these moments, and I am proud to have contributed to this remarkable achievement.
Seeing the Trelleborg Medical Solutions brand grow and strengthen in its market has been incredibly rewarding. This growth mirrors the story of many medical startups I have worked with over the years, some beginning with nothing more than an idea or a first prototype. Watching these companies evolve into market leaders is always a defining moment, and a testament to what we can achieve together.
From your perspective, what makes the culture at Trelleborg special?
For me, it's the people. I've always appreciated the simplicity of relationships within Trelleborg. No matter the role or country, it's usually easy to pick up the phone and find someone willing to help. In return, this means constantly expanding your network by positioning yourself as a solution provider.
My relationships with my various managers have always been based on mutual trust and a high degree of autonomy, while respecting each person's individuality and personal life. This culture of collaboration has always been part of the company, and it's probably one of the reasons why I still enjoy being part of Trelleborg today.
How has being part of a global team influenced your work and personal growth?
Working in an international environment has been incredibly rewarding. I'm curious by nature, and I love discovering new countries, cultures and ways of working. Every business trip is an opportunity to learn something new. Over time, this has made me more open-minded and empathetic, which is probably one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role. You quickly realize that there isn't just one right way to work and live.
I've experienced many situations where colleagues from different countries and with different areas of expertise have come together to solve problems, whether internal or client-related. What inspires me isn't just their technical expertise, but above all their commitment, effort and willingness to compromise, because they wanted to find a solution together. It's in moments like these that you truly appreciate the strength of a team.
In recent years, during business trips across Europe and the Americas, I've witnessed the growing effects of climate change firsthand. Thanks in part to Trelleborg's commitment to sustainable development and the action plans it has implemented, I've been trained and made aware of these issues. I try, in my own way, to factor them into my sales approach and how I organize my work. For example: What is the value of traveling for a face-to-face meeting compared to a videoconference? Should I fly or take the train? How can we simplify or accelerate the development of a new component to minimize its carbon footprint? Working globally has not only shaped how I collaborate with others, but also how I think about the responsibility we each carry to make a meaningful difference.
As Trelleborg continues to grow, what opportunities have you discovered for your own development?
As an engineer trained in scientific instrumentation, curious, drawn to new technologies and always ready to take on challenges, I never imagined when I joined Trelleborg that a company operating in fairly traditional and industrial fields could meet my expectations so well. Yet 30 years later, I'm still here.
Looking back over the past decade, Trelleborg has been constantly changing and evolving, offering numerous opportunities for career growth and advancement. Although I'm just a few years away from retirement, I'm convinced that Trelleborg will still offer me the chance to discover something new.
In what ways do you feel your role at Trelleborg allows you to shape the future of industry?
What I enjoy most is working with companies across the spectrum, from market leaders in medical devices to medtech startups designing the next generation of innovative technology. My motto: we must inspire a dream in our customers' minds that Trelleborg can turn into reality. The challenge lies in striking the right balance, neither too ambitious nor too basic, so we can earn trust and achieve success together.
After more than 30 years at Trelleborg, the same curiosity still drives me: discovering new technologies, meeting entrepreneurs passionate about medtech and understanding how our solutions can help transform an idea into a concrete, reliable product that improves patients' lives. What could be more rewarding than that?
Describe a time you felt truly inspired by your colleagues or the work we do here.
I'm always impressed when colleagues from different countries and fields come together to support one of my customers. What inspires me isn't just their technical expertise, but their commitment and honesty.
I can think of several cases where production non-compliance could have brought our clients' assembly lines to a halt. Everyone went the extra mile, sometimes beyond their usual responsibilities, to find a solution. It's in moments like these that we see the true strength of a team, and our customers feel confident in their decision to trust us with manufacturing their components.
