The German motor oil and additive manufacturer increases revenue by almost 15 percent to 917 million euros in 2023.
The two directors Günter Hiermaier and Dr. Uli Weller is very satisfied with the year's result. Additional investments of more than DKK 20 million. euros in the German factories in Ulm and Saarlouis to strengthen production and logistics.
"Our goal is a "turnover of one billion euros" in 2025. But it looks like we will achieve it a year earlier", says Günter Hiermaier confidently. Also the colleague Dr. Weller, who has also been director of the Ulm company for a year, draws a positive account from 2023: "The framework conditions were very bad. Energy prices, logistics costs and inflation hit us hard. We cannot and will not pass on the increased costs 1:1 to our customers. The majority of the price increases we are stuck with. Here it only helps to save where it doesn't hurt anyone and sell more, and that all over the world."
LIQUI MOLY apparently succeeds in this. Production and sales volumes increase. "We have reached our capacity limit in additive manufacturing. More than 18.5 million cans came off the line in Ulm. Our production expansion will relieve the pressure here. In 2024, we are planning 22 million cans", says Günter Hiermaier.
Oil production in Saarlouis also almost reached the limit. "Million investments help us to increase production volumes", says Dr. Well. The oil factory in Saarlouis produced in 2023 just over 94,000 tonnes of lubricants, more than nine percent more than in 2022. Motor oils made up the largest share, followed by gear oils.
"Our filling plant for small containers reaches their capacity limit at these volumes. Here we have invested significantly to increase the production volume", says Dr. Well. In general, the oil plant's overall capacity limit is in sight. It stands at 120,000 tonnes per year. "With constant growth, we would have reached our upper limit in three years if we had not invested further in the plant", says Dr. Well further.
Overall, the lubricant specialist is still on a growth course. "We maintain our internationalization and strengthen our subsidiaries abroad. We add staff where necessary. In 2023, we will have created around 50 positions, which corresponds to an increase of 5 percent," describes Günter Hiermaier.
The media entrepreneurs (as employees at LIQUI MOLY are traditionally called) must be as well off as possible according to the company's information. In addition to the introduction of flexible working hours and mobile work where possible, additional financial subsidies were implemented for all 1104 employees. "We have paid the full inflation compensation of €3,000 and voluntarily implemented the collective agreement. That alone gives, for example, wage increases of more than 10 percent in production. At the same time, all colleagues participate with an additional up to €3,000 in our profit. This is also good practice with us", says Günter Hiermaier with satisfaction.
Where the journey will go is clear to the two directors. "We continue to grow. One billion is not the limit. We are firmly focused on the second billion", say the two confidently. Homework has already been distributed to all employees: Strengthening the export business, further digitalisation, customer loyalty and product innovations in all areas; Electric choirs included. The latter is particularly important for the European market. "Sales of motor oils and additives are expected to fall within the EU in the next two decades. Internationally, e-mobility plays a secondary role. Nevertheless, we as a brand want to be strong in the EU, and therefore we will further develop our existing range for electric and hybrid cars, " says Dr. Uli Weller.
Günter Hiermaier emphasizes "that on an international level we are promoting what has made us strong in Germany. And that is our excellent personal service. Our competitors are reducing the number of positions massively. We are expanding and entering as yet untapped markets with concentrated sales force. The success of this strategy can be seen in our subsidiaries.
In connection with all projects, the company has full support from the parent group Würth. "We still act independently. The group management trusts us and strengthens us on our way. The cooperation is based on mutual respect. We and all our employees see ourselves as LIQUI MOLY. This is central to our self-understanding, our team spirit and our strong brand" , says Günter Hiermaier.
