Sanwa Group
and Global Talents
The stage is the entire world
- Global recruitment allows
everyone to try.
Novoferm Shanghai is established in December 2005 as a business company in China for the Novoferm Group operating across Europe. A manufacturer and distributor of mainly steel doors including interior doors, hospital doors and fireproof doors, the company also deals garage doors manufactured by the European Novoferm Group.
The Sanwa Group embraces its global talents and makes the best use of their unique strengths. Let us introduce you to a typical global employee.
Mr. Yingyu Zhuang joined Sanwa Shutter Corporation in 2014 through global recruitment. He first engaged in manufacturing cost accounting and building / equipment management in Japan for about three and a half years. Then, he was assigned to Novoferm Shanghai in 2017 as the first member of the company’s Asia-based global training program. After a year of training, he chose to remain in the local branch and is currently in charge of establishment of a new factory in Changshu, China. This is a story of Mr. Zhuang, who plays an active role as a bridge between Japan and China.
Chapter01
Attracted by Sanwa Group as a manufacturer delivering
useful products in daily life globally.
Attracted by Sanwa Group
as a manufacturer
delivering useful products
in daily life globally.
Mr. Zhuang came to know Sanwa Shutter Corporation in job hunting in Japan after studying abroad there. "I decided to work for a Japanese manufacturer because I was impressed by its high-quality products. Sanwa Shutter was one of such companies I found during my research, but what turned out to be really appealing to me was the usefulness of shutter products and their common presence in our daily life. It was also a good match with my passion to be part of a global business and work across borders,” said Mr. Zhuang.
In April 2014, Mr. Zhuang joined Sanwa Shutter Corporation. After three months of initial training together with his Japanese peers, he also received on-the-job training (OJT). "I really appreciate the kindness and patience of my superiors and people around me. They taught me a lot". Indeed, Mr. Zhuang learned many basic concepts of Japanese manufacturing methodologies including cost calculation methods, QCDS (quality, cost, delivery date, safety), and 5S (Japanese initial letters for organization, tidying, cleanliness, cleaning, discipline) in the one-year OJT. "I learned the basics of Japanese manufacturing until they were ‘ingrained into my body.’ They also taught me the Japanese culture and our company’s culture. I was surprised by the culture of Japan that seniors pay the bill when eating out with juniors. Personally, I found it great that seniors teach the juniors how to do the job thoroughly. We do not have such culture in China"
In addition, Mr. Zhuang was encouraged by colleagues who also came to the company through global recruitment. " I met a lot of talented people from various countries like Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. I interacted with them both at work and in private. They inspired me a lot”.
Chapter02
The decision to remain in China after the one-year
Asia-based global training for further self-development
The decision to remain in China
after the one-year Asia-based
global training
for further self-development
After working in Japan for three and a half years, Mr. Zhuang came across a turning point in his career. The company asked him if he wanted to go to China as the first member of the newly launched Asia-based global training program. It was a sudden and surprising proposal to him, who's living a fulfilling life in Japan then. Nevertheless, Mr. Zhuang made up his mind to come back to his home country and make the most of what he learned in Japan. He was assigned to Novoferm Shanghai as a member of the program.
Novoferm Shanghai supplies steel doors as its primary product line. The brand names of "Sanwa" and "Novoferm" are both well known in the construction industry in China. As a trainee, Mr. Zhuang was posted to a new department every few months and engaged in a wide range of tasks within and outside his expertise including finance, personnel and general affairs. After that, he focused on cost accounting of steel doors, the primary products of Novoferm Shanghai.
At the end of his one-year training program, Mr. Zhuang had to decide whether he would return to Japan or stay in Shanghai. He chose the latter, believing that "exploring opportunities in China will lead to further growth of myself ".
I believe it is
a great advantage
of global expansion
to integrate merits
of each local base.
Since then, Mr. Zhuang has been playing a vital role in Novoferm Shanghai as a specialist in manufacturing management and business operation improvement. In fact, the formats for cost accounting and production planning he created are still being used to date. He also "experienced various jobs such as agency management, trade expo exhibitions, product catalog and promotion video productions”. “I found my job rewarding in the sense that the efforts I put in got reflected as immediate results.” He also ecognized the strength of Sanwa Group as a global company: “At Novoferm Shanghai, precision in manufacturing control, a unique strength of Japan, is synergized with the production methods of European group companies in door specifications. I believe it is a great advantage of global expansion to integrate merits of each local base.
Chapter03
Aiming to contribute to
business success in China and Asia
Aiming to contribute to
business success
in China and Asia
In 2022, Novoferm Changshu, a new factory with a site area of approximately 40,000m2, was constructed in Changshu, China.
Mr. Zhuang took the lead in the establishment of this new factory. "I was on site from the preparatory stage of the construction program and was in charge of progress and budget management, and specifications of various equipment. It was a lifetime experience and a great learning opportunity for me being involved in the entire process of the establishment." Mr. Zhuang are stepping forward to focus on on-site production control at the new factory.
Mr. Zhuang described his future goals with excitement and passion: “I wish to contribute to the business success of Sanwa Group in China, and eventually expand our businesses across Asia.” He went on to emphasize that” Anyone who would like to take on the challenge together is very welcome! There are endless opportunities all over the world in Sanwa Group. If you want to grow, then do it!”
Mr. Zhuang’s story continues at the global stage.
During the one-year
on-the-job training,
I learned the basics of
Japanese manufacturing
until they were
‘ingrained into my body.’