Global Expertise, Local Insight: Emsland Group’s Growing Presence in Asia Pacific
Across the Asia-Pacific region, the Emsland Group’s commitment to innovation and customer service takes shape through two closely connected locations — the sales and support hub in Singapore and the application facility in Bangkok. Together, these teams form a powerful link between customers in Asia and the Emsland Group Innovation Center at the company’s headquarters in Emlichheim, Germany.
A Connected Network for Innovation
The Singapore and Bangkok teams operate closely within the Emsland Group, working hand in hand to serve the growing and diverse Asia-Pacific markets.
- The Singapore office houses the sales, customer service, and finance teams, ensuring close, direct contact with customers and distributors.
- The Bangkok facility focuses on applications and documentation, adapting product concepts from Emlichheim to meet the unique demands of Asian consumers and manufacturers.
This regional setup allows the teams to react faster and more precisely to customer needs. Being closer to the markets also brings cultural understanding and the flexibility to respond to trends and expectations.
Adapting Global Expertise for Local Markets
The Bangkok Application Team serves as a supporting arm to the Innovation Center in Emlichheim. While the foundational know-how comes from Germany, Bangkok’s experts translate these concepts into applications that resonate with the Asian markets — where preferences for texture and sensory experience differ greatly from those in Western regions.
“Whether it’s confectionery, snacks, or noodles, every country in Asia has its own preferences,” says Jillean Pangan, Managing Director Emsland Asia Pacific. “Our Bangkok team has the advantage of being close to the customers and understanding these differences firsthand.”
Despite its small size, the Bangkok team is rich in expertise and resources, collaborating closely with a nearby research university for trials and a professional chef for culinary testing. This spirit of collaboration and knowledge-sharing results in tailored, high-quality solutions for customers. A recent example of this was showcased in Bangkok at the Food Ingredients Asia 2025 where innovative bakery concepts — potato bread with tom yum filling and spinach bread — both made using Emsland Group potato flakes and developed in partnership with the local chef, attracted strong interest and positive feedback from visitors.
Customer Support from Start to Finish
In Singapore, the customer service team works on the front line, while backend support is provided by colleagues in Emlichheim. Together, they ensure smooth processes — from order placement to delivery. The proximity of the Singapore office also strengthens cooperation with local distributors and key accounts, allowing the team to better understand challenges and provide timely, hands-on support.
Leadership and Growth in the Region
At the heart of this regional network is Jillean Pangan, who was appointed Managing Director of Emsland Asia Pacific, which consists of the Singapore and the Bangkok Facilities, in mid-2025. Jillean first joined Emsland Group in 2017 as a Sales Manager — one of only two employees in Singapore at the time.
Originally from the Philippines and educated in Food Science and Technology, Jillean had previously worked for a distributor of Emsland Group products. “I had just finished my master’s degree, which included studying food identity across Europe, when I was contacted about my future plans,” she recalls. “I knew Emsland Group as a company where people stayed for many years and truly believed in what they were doing — so I decided to give it a chance.”
Although the Emsland Group will celebrate its 25th anniversary of business in Asia next year, Jillean Pangan has witnessed remarkable growth and transformation since she joined Emsland Asia Pacific. Guided by what she referred to as “valuable mentorship from colleagues in Emlichheim, Germany,” Jillean has played a key role in expanding Emsland Group’s presence across the Asia-Pacific region. Her vision for the team was to move a more proactive approach — anticipating customer and market needs rather than simply responding to them. Now, as Managing Director, her focus is on strategic growth — strengthening cooperation between Singapore, Bangkok, and Emlichheim, while continuing to develop local competence and business.
Looking Ahead
Under Jillean’s leadership, her teams are working ever more closely with their colleagues in Germany. Their shared mission: to combine global expertise with local insight, ensuring the Emsland Group’s customers across Asia receive innovative, reliable, and market-relevant solutions.
“Collaboration is at the heart of what we do,” says Jillean. “With the Innovation Center in Emlichheim as our backbone, and the expertise of our teams in Bangkok and Singapore, we’re ready to take Emsland Group’s success in Asia Pacific to the next level.”
