Front row from left: Anton Svensson, Maria Andersson, Abby Cheung. Back row from left: May Chan, Joy Qi, Ivona Wen and Huang Weicheng
From three customers to a global player
EWES Asia Pacific was founded on the initiative of customers who wanted EWES to follow them to China. They needed technical springs for their factories, and EWES, which always wants to be where its customers are, did not hesitate to come along.
Back then, in 2006, it was a matter of two or three customers. Today, EWES Asia supplies more than 100 customers in the Chinese market.
From left: Ivona Wen, Huang Weicheng, Abby Cheung
Meet the Pandas – a team you can count on
Behind the figures is a strong, close-knit team. Abby explains that it was EWES Group CEO Anton Svensson who coined the nickname the Pandas.
”The panda symbolises that we come from China – but also that we are something unique and valuable for the whole group,” explains Abby.”
Team Panda works remotely – with daily online contact from different cities in China.
This is how Abby describes her team:
Joy – product expert with a technical background, loves poetry and plants, top salesperson for several years.
Ivona – talks to everyone, wins people over with spring stories and is the team's photographer.
May – finance and logistics manager, always one step ahead – and constantly hunting for bargains online.
Huang – technical consultant with more than 30 years' experience, expert in design and calculations.
From left: Ivona Wen, Joy Qi, May Chan, Abby Cheung
Quick answers. Strong culture. Swedish structure.
So what is it that makes customers choose EWES Asia?
”We are fast. The customer asks a question – we come up with the solution. It is often about spring design, quotations or quality issues. We communicate directly, both internally and externally. It saves time and builds trust,” explains Abby.”
She describes the way of working as a one-stop service. Customers do not need to chase the right department – EWES Asia takes care of it.
Behind that efficiency is a company culture that in many ways differs from others in the region.
”In Sweden, organisations are flat. We can talk directly to the boss. In China, you report upwards in several steps – it takes time.”
But it is not just about organisation. It is about values.
”In China, it is unusual for the boss to eat with the production staff. In Sweden, it is an everyday thing. I have seen my boss having fika with both colleagues and factory workers – that says a lot.”
At EWES, employer branding is not just a concept – it is something we live by.
”We get birthday greetings from the boss, gifts at weddings and when someone has a baby. And warm messages at holidays. It creates a sense of belonging, even though we are far from head office.”
Being part of EWES is more than a job. According to Abby, it is a community that stretches from Bredaryd to Shenzhen and Dongguan.
Abby Cheung, EWES Asia Pacific
Fika, meatballs – and a panda behind the wheel?
Abby has a firm grip on Swedish words such as fika, hej du and tack tack. She has tried both venison and apple pie with nuts – and every IKEA visit of course ends with meatballs.
”The children love them,” she smiles.”
She has been to Sweden several times; most recently she picked blueberries in the forest with colleagues.
”It was so peaceful. I love the Swedish forests and lakes.”
The dream?
”To drive a car in Sweden. I love driving – but I will try not to drive too fast. I don't want the police filming me somewhere along the road,” she laughs.”
Thank you for the chat, Abby!
