By Matthew Henry
SINGAPORE: Gunilla Nordström – once chosen by a leading Swedish financial weekly as the most powerful woman in Swedish trade and industry in 2006 – has been appointed the new head of Electrolux Major Appliances Asia Pacific region succeeding Peter Birch, who will retire.
Nordström, 48, is currently president of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications (China) Co. Ltd. and corporate vice president of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, having served in a number of senior management positions during her 24 years with the company throughout Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
As of August, Nordström, will oversee the appliance maker’s Asia Pacific operation including product development, production, sales, and marketing of refrigerators, ovens, hobs, hoods, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers in Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan.
The region has over 4,000 employees including many locally at Electrolux Home Products Australia, based in Sydney, and its Australian manufacturing operations in Orange and Adelaide.
Nordström will be based in the Electrolux regional head office in Singapore as a member of group management, reporting to Electrolux president and CEO, Hans Stråberg.
Nordström holds a Master of Science degree in industrial engineering and management from Linköping University, Institute of Technology, Sweden.
Electrolux Home Products was contacted by Current.com.au today but declined to comment on the appointment.