Fredrik, product manager at WFI: ”Gnosjöandan is a strong force that contributes to our short time intervals from idea to product”

Fredrik Jönsson started his journey at WFI AB in April 2020, already then with almost 20 years of experience with store interior and furnishing. Beyond lots of competence regarding the products as such, he also had things like warehouse management, purchasing, and leadership in his baggage, thanks to varied titles over the years. Today, he works as a product manager with an overall responsibility for range and assortment – where he describes the countryside around WFI as a contributing factor to the efficient development of new products.

”A new product always needs to grow out of a need”
In his assortment responsibility, Fredrik’s work is based on a couple of areas – projects, development of news, and improvement of existing articles. Parts that he works with on a daily basis closely with his colleagues, the constructors and design engineers, within the technical team. In addition to that, Fredrik is involved in most things that happens in all other departments at the office, as everything starts and ends with the actual product.

– A new product always needs to grow out of a need. It needs to be a good complement to our current range and something that we really believe in. When we have an idea that we believe in, we start to brainstorm about how we can create a flexible, attractive, and preferably cross-functional product in the best way. It is a process that takes place partly within our technical team, partly in collaboration with our sellers and customers to get it right. The challenge is often not to overdo the technical aspects but to find the simplicity of the function, Fredrik continues.

The good will and benevolence in the region
Furthermore, Fredrik describes that the development of completely new products in some cases can go from idea and sketching to prototype and testing in 6-8 weeks, depending on how advanced the article is. An efficiency that is possible thanks to the closeness within the so-called Gnosjöandan.

– We have a fantastic speed from idea to result and short time intervals when it comes to developing new articles. Both because we work directly towards the customer and product, and thanks to the powerful muscles in the region around us. Here exists a willingness to help and highlight each other, a lack of prestige, which makes it possible to manufacture a prototype quickly. We are many talented manufactures who works with sheet metal and wire processing who encourage each other to evolve and expand, which is absolutely unique!, Fredrik concludes.

Three fast questions with Freddan!

Which product from our range would you like to highlight a bit extra?
–   Our complete motorized W375 table with LED lighting (11-375-118)! A very stable, ergonomic, and functional premium table that fits most workplaces.

If you could take one your colleagues to a desert island, who would you pick and why?
–   Definitely Pontus, then you get hunting, fishing, and cooking in the bargain.

How would you describe WFI as a workplace?
–   I enjoy working here, both with my colleagues and these products. We truly have really good products and high expertise in what we do.