Women in Marine: Izzy, Stek

When Izzy first stepped into the marine industry, it was completely unknown territory. But when the opportunity presented itself, she jumped in, and nearly two decades later, she’s built a career defined by curiosity, resilience, and a drive to keep learning.

That mindset has shaped every step of her journey.

Building from the Ground Up

Izzys career began in 2008 with Fixtech, working in structural adhesives. Early on, she was involved in establishing operations in Taiwan, then relocated to Zhuhai in 2009 to help set up a new branch.

From there, her path continued to evolve. By 2010, she had taken on a new challenge, managing the Flexiteek distributorship across Asia. This role brought both technical and commercial responsibilities, including overseeing production technology and driving regional growth.

One of her standout achievements during this time was helping establish the manufacturing facility in Suzhou, an experience she describes as both challenging and deeply rewarding.

In 2014, she returned to Taiwan to found STEK, where she continues to lead a team focused on expanding the Flexiteek brand across Southeast and Northeast Asia.

Growing the market

Building a business from the ground up is no small feat; doing so across multiple international markets adds another layer of complexity.

“The ‘zero to one’ stage is always the hardest,” she explains. “Setting up branches and factories in different markets, while keeping up with the high technical standards of the marine sector, is complex.”

Working across different markets and suppliers in different regions brings logistical challenges, particularly when aligning with fast-moving technical developments from Europe.

A Long-Standing Partnership with Flexiteek

Izzy has played a key role in a long-standing partnership with Flexiteek, spanning more than 16 years, during which she has covered the Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia markets. Initially becoming involved with the company at the Suzhou factory in 2010, before going on to bring Flexiteek to STEK Taiwan in 2014.

What sets Izzy apart is her commitment to quality, not just at a strategic level, but on the ground when developing new markets. She personally supports shipyards with installation and template training, ensuring every project meets global standards. It’s a hands-on approach that reflects her belief that premium products require equally high standards of delivery.

“That involvement is essential,” she says. “It’s how we maintain the quality Flexiteek is known for.”

Defining Success

While setting up the Suzhou production line remains a major milestone, Izzy finds the greatest satisfaction in something else: seeing others succeed.

Supporting regional partners like JSP Japan has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her work. From initial training through to operational excellence, watching partners grow into highly capable, independent businesses is what drives her.

“Seeing them operate with such high proficiency and almost no customer complaints, that’s what makes me proud.”

This not only shows Izzy’s determination but also her kindness in helping others grow their businesses in the marine industry.

Advice for Women Entering the Industry

Izzy’s advice to women considering a career in marine is simple, but powerful:

“Don’t let what you don’t know yet hold you back. Stay curious, be willing to put in the work, and you’ll find endless opportunities for growth.”

Looking Ahead

With over a decade of experience working with Flexiteek and a career built on adaptability and determination, Izzy represents exactly what the marine industry needs more of: leaders who are willing to step into the unknown and shape it.

Her journey is a reminder that you don’t need a traditional path to succeed. Sometimes, all it takes is saying yes and seeing where it leads.

Written and edited by Emily Lofthouse.