Xiaoli Zhu
When I look at my time at Trelleborg, I see a dynamic work environment where individual contributions directly impact cutting-edge healthcare technology. We do not just manufacture products; we connect local customer needs with global capabilities to create solutions that improve lives.
What has been the most rewarding part of your career with Trelleborg so far?
The most rewarding part of my time with Trelleborg has been the opportunity to help build long-term relationships in the Japanese medical market while working closely with colleagues across different regions and functions.
What I especially value is being able to connect customer needs in Japan with the expertise and capabilities of our global teams. Seeing how collaboration across countries can lead to meaningful solutions for customers has been both professionally fulfilling and personally motivating.
How has your role at Trelleborg changed or developed over time?
My role has gradually evolved from mainly focusing on customer communication and project coordination to taking a broader perspective on market development and strategic collaboration.
Over time, I have had more opportunities to work with global teams, support cross-functional discussions and contribute to building Trelleborg’s presence in the Japanese healthcare industry. This has helped me develop not only commercially but also in terms of communication, cultural understanding and long-term thinking.
Can you share a specific moment or project at Trelleborg that made you feel proud of your work?
One moment that made me particularly proud was supporting a medical device project that required close coordination between the customer in Japan and multiple internal teams across regions. The project involved technical discussions, timeline management and continuous communication to align expectations on both sides.
Seeing the teams work together toward a common goal and gaining the customer’s trust through that process reminded me how important collaboration and mutual understanding are in our industry.
From your perspective, what makes the culture at Trelleborg special?
What makes Trelleborg special to me is the combination of global expertise and a collaborative working culture. Even though we work across different countries and time zones, there is a strong willingness among colleagues to support each other and solve challenges together.
I also appreciate that leadership encourages people to take ownership of their career while continuing to learn and grow. This balance creates an environment where we value both teamwork and individual development.
How has being part of a global team influenced your work and personal growth?
Being part of a global organization has greatly expanded my perspective. Working with colleagues from different cultural and professional backgrounds has taught me the importance of adaptability, open communication and understanding different ways of thinking.
It has also helped me become more confident in navigating complex situations and building relationships across regions. Personally, it has made me more open-minded and continuously curious about learning from others.
As Trelleborg continues to grow, what opportunities have you discovered for your own development?
As the company continues to grow, I have found many opportunities to expand my role beyond traditional sales activities. I have been able to deepen my understanding of the medical industry, participate in strategic customer discussions and collaborate more closely with international teams. These experiences have allowed me to grow as a business professional and as someone who can help connect different markets, perspectives and ideas.
In what ways do you feel your role at Trelleborg allows you to shape the future of industry?
In the medical industry, even small improvements in materials, components or manufacturing support can contribute to larger advancements in healthcare technology. Through my role, I have the opportunity to work closely with customers developing innovative medical devices and help connect them with Trelleborg’s global capabilities. Knowing that our work can support future healthcare solutions and ultimately contribute to better patient outcomes gives my role a strong sense of purpose.
Describe a time you felt truly inspired by your colleagues or the work we do here. we do here.
I have often been inspired by the level of dedication and professionalism shown by colleagues across different regions. One example was during a challenging customer project where teams from multiple countries worked together under tight timelines to support the customer’s needs. Despite the complexity, everyone stayed focused, collaborative and solution-oriented.
Moments like that remind me that success is rarely achieved individually it comes from trust, teamwork and people being willing to support each other beyond their own responsibilities.
