SuperSealer William Wong
Our August SuperSealer is a typical Australian globetrotter who enjoys soaking up the rich diversity of the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Having joined Trelleborg earlier this year, he tells us how he’s adapting to his jet-setting way of life and discusses the rewards of working with people from so many different countries and cultures.
Who are you?
My name is William Wong, and I’m Business Development Manager for Trelleborg Seals & Profiles in the APAC region. This includes pipe seals, profiles, and pipe repair.
How long have you worked in this position and what are your key duties?
I joined Trelleborg about six months ago. I’m responsible for developing and leading our APAC-based sales organization with a view to expanding our existing customer base, generating future sales, and securing repeat business. I’m based locally in Asia, so one of my key tasks going forward will be to find the right balance between how we operate in Europe and our expectations in APAC. My role also includes helping to educate the market on new technological advancements and promoting high-quality material that leads to more sustainable products.
What do you like about working with Trelleborg?
Trelleborg is truly multinational. Since I joined in January, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with people from more countries than I have in the past decade. I find working with different colleagues around the world immensely rewarding. I also find the culture here very refreshing: it’s clear that Trelleborg places huge importance on developing its people, which isn’t always the case in large organizations today.
What are the key challenges you face in your job?
Communication is one of the biggest challenges we face due to the cultural diversity within the APAC region. As a team, we need to ensure we tailor our communication strategy to these different cultures, so that each country interprets our message correctly and that it faithfully represents who we are Trelleborg. At the same time, we need to make sure the message we communicate to the market is consistent with the work the Trelleborg organization is doing in EMEA and the Americas.
How do you think the business in your area is going to evolve in the future? How are you preparing for this?
APAC is one of the fastest-growing markets for our products globally, but it’s also one of the fastest-changing markets. We need to build a balanced team that is robust but also has the agility and innovation to adapt to a constantly evolving industry landscape.
What do you do in your free time?
My role is extremely international, which means a lot of time spent on the road, or rather in the air. When I’m at home in Hong Kong, I try to spend as much time with family as possible. As an Australian, I enjoy being outdoors, whether that’s having a BBQ, playing footy, or simply reading a book in the open air.
