Ylva Sundin, Sales Manager in the A&E segment.

"I have worked for a long time at Kvadrat, and the company has grown a lot over the years I have been working, but I still have this family feeling about the company. I would say we have a strong culture based on teamwork, commitment, quality, and design culture. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we share a similar mindset, especially when it comes to our passion for design and embracing the Kvadrat DNA and culture."

Q: What do you do at Kvadrat?

I work as a Sales Manager in the A&E segment, responsible for clients, mostly architects and dealers in Stockholm and the northern part of Sweden. I also work internally as a global product trainer taking care of the teams in the Nordics, and training new colleagues during our Newcomers Academy.             

Q: How and when did you start your career at Kvadrat?

I studied textile design at Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts, and Design in Stockholm, and my professor was Fanny Aronsen, who at the time had a collection for Kvadrat. She told me that Kvadrat needed someone to work in their showroom, so I started working part-time there 15 years ago. Later, I became a Design Assistant to Fanny. At that time, we had a small studio next to the showroom here in Stockholm where we developed upholsteries, curtains, and accessories like cushions and throws. I worked closely with Fanny, who was a fantastic person and designer until she sadly passed away in 2011. Since then, I have stayed in the Kvadrat family and moved on to sales. I really enjoy this role as it is very social and offers a great combination of business and creativity.

Q: What defines Kvadrat as a workplace in your opinion?

I have worked for a long time at Kvadrat, and the company has grown a lot over the years I have been working, but I still have this family feeling about the company. I would say we have a strong culture based on teamwork, commitment, quality, and design culture. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we share a similar mindset, especially when it comes to our passion for design and embracing the Kvadrat DNA and culture.

Q: What is the role of a Product Trainer at Kvadrat?

I am part of a small team of four colleagues from sales based in Taipei, London, Hamburg, and myself in Stockholm, responsible for bringing knowledge and inspiration about our products to our colleagues in the A&E segment. We meet with the global teams a few times a year, spending some time together exploring how to present and understand the products, covering both storytelling and technical aspects.

We ensure that all colleagues in A&E sales have in-depth knowledge about Kvadrat’s latest novelties and can effectively communicate these stories to our customers. Additionally, we work closely with segment managers and specialists in learning and marketing to ensure we follow the roadmap for the coming year.

We also take responsibility for product training during the Newcomers Academy, which is held twice a year at our HQ in Ebeltoft. This is always a lot of fun as we get to meet new colleagues from diverse countries and backgrounds.

Q: What sparks joy for you in your work?

I really enjoy building long-term relationships with clients. I have had the pleasure of studying at the design school alongside some clients, and I have worked with many of them for years. Working hands-on with textiles and immersing myself in colours and textures on a daily basis energises me. Another thing that is essential to me is that we have good products that I truly believe in when it comes to design, quality, and sustainability.

Being part of a global company means I get to have close contact and collaborate with colleagues from diverse cultures, especially with my product trainer team.

Q: How do you think of Kvadrat as an inclusive company?

I think Kvadrat has a work culture defined by trust and openness, where everyone’s opinion is valued. We frequently gather with colleagues from around the globe on Teams to share knowledge and exchange ideas on how to enhance our work processes. Working with architects on their projects involves various people from our team, and we all want to do the best for the project and for the client, knowing that everyone is equally important in creating the best product and solution possible for the client.

Q: What is your favourite Kvadrat product? And why?

Vidar from the Kvadrat/Raf Simons collection, originally designed by Fanny Aronsen, is my favourite. It is a soft wool bouclé with a great balance of bold and toned-down colours. It looks smashing on most pieces of furniture.