When Yatkai Lee joined Consilium in the 90s, he wondered whether he would stay as long as some colleagues. He is now Managing Director of Consilium China. We met him on Teams to talk about growth, customer needs, and what he has learned along the way.
What do you remember most from your early days, and what has kept you at the company?
When I started, Consilium and the shipping industry were much smaller. What I remember most are the people. Many colleagues in Sweden had already worked at Consilium for more than 20 years.
I wondered if I could ever stay at one company that long. Their professionalism, willingness to help, and pride in their work set a strong example. It is the people who inspired me to stay. There is always a clear sense of purpose and belief in what we do.
Which development has been most notable during your time?
Our industry has many rules, and we often talk about regulations and standards. I am proud of Consilium’s ability to keep up with these changes. Whenever new regulations emerge or the industry faces challenges, Consilium adapts and provides even better solutions.
Consilium Safety China recently opened offices in Jingjiang and Guangzhou. What do these developments show about Consilium’s current role in China?
We play an increasingly important role in China, reflecting our commitment to supporting our customers. We have also expanded into the Rolling Stock sector, providing safety systems for over 3,000 train sets in China. With two new locations, we can respond quickly when customers need support or spare parts.
Expanding training on alternative fuels is equally important. As the marine industry adopts new fuels such as LNG, ammonia and methanol, we want customers to know that Consilium provides solutions to keep their ships safe and ensure every crew member returns home safely.
How have customer needs in fire and gas safety evolved over time? What do you believe customers value most from Consilium?
Customer needs have changed due to new technology, regulations, and environmental demands. But the main goal is still the same: we keep people safe, which requires advanced, reliable detection and safety systems that comply with regulations. Today, customers value our strong professionalism. They have valuable assets, like their ships and crews, and they trust us to keep them safe.
What advice would you give to a colleague starting their career at Consilium?
Remember why our work matters. Even if we spend most of our time in an office, a shipyard, or sometimes on a ship, we leave when our job is done, but the crew stays on board. Their safety is important.
Also, I would advise that they look beyond their job descriptions. Do your assigned work, but do not let it hold you back. Be willing to help in other ways. The more you contribute, the more you learn. Your knowledge stays with you. Also, think globally. Doing business in Japan is different from doing business in Brazil. Even greetings are different from one country to another. Keep an open mind, and you will learn, grow and become part of the Consilium family.
