Meet Blade Zhu

At Stahl, our story is shaped by the people who power our solutions, those who innovate, collaborate, and contribute to the ongoing success of our organisation each day. In our latest feature of ‘People of Stahl’ we sit down with Blade Zhu, a dedicated sales manager constantly seeking new challenges.  

1. How long have you been with Stahl? What first attracted you to the company?  

I have been working for Stahl for 10 years. When I first had the opportunity to interview here, I was drawn to the clean and organized office environment, the cutting-edge laboratory equipment, and, most notably, the friendly and collaborative atmosphere among colleagues. Additionally, the company’s strong position in the industry and its outstanding reputation were major factors that made the opportunity even more appealing to me. 

2. What is your role? Can you share an interesting fact about the work you do?  

I am currently the Sales Manager for Seat & Trim in the Performance Coatings division at Stahl China. What I find most interesting is that every day brings something new, so it never feels boring or monotonous. There's always a fresh challenge or opportunity, keeping the work dynamic and engaging. 

3. What do you like most about working at Stahl, and what are the biggest challenges?  

Handling complex customer matters, such as resolving business issues, overcoming technical challenges, and coordinating internal and external resources to achieve our goals, brings me a great sense of personal fulfillment. The biggest challenge I face is navigating the complexities of the Chinese market and managing customer expectations, which often include unreasonable demands. Striking a balance between maintaining strong customer relationships, protecting Stahl’s market share, and ensuring customers accept our solutions is key to overcoming this challenge. 

4. How does your work support Stahl’s purpose: Touching lives, for a better world?  

Our work is not just a business activity; it's a process of building emotional connections between people. We aim to understand others' perspectives, creating more harmonious relationships and fostering a deeper understanding of each other's situations. Since work is an integral part of life, finding joy in what we do enhances our overall life experience. Additionally, Stahl’s influence can guide customers toward more environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions, working together to make our shared planet a better place. 

5. If you were CEO of Stahl for the day, what would you do?  

If I were CEO of Stahl for the day, I would continue to invest in the research and development of environmentally friendly, sustainable, and renewable materials. I would also prioritize the well-being and professional development of employees across different regions, ensuring strong training programs are in place. Additionally, I would focus on enhancing communication and collaboration across regions and departments to further improve operational efficiency. By fostering a more connected and innovative environment, we could strengthen both our impact on sustainability and the overall success of the company. 

6. How do you spend your free time outside of work?  

In my spare time, I enjoy watching e-sports competitions, as well as playing and watching ball games like football and basketball. I also love getting together with friends for conversations and socializing. 

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Blade! We take pride in the talented people at Stahl who infuse passion, purpose, and creativity into every aspect of their work. Keep an eye out for more inspiring stories in our People of Stahl series!