Menschlichkeit Als Schlüssel Zum Erfolg

Human touch a key to success

Baden-Württemberg’s Employment Minister Dr. Monika Stolz was impressed by the company philosophy on her visit to LIQUI MOLY’s headquarters.

Ulm, 23 October 2007 – Additive specialist LIQUI MOLY welcomed an important visitor to the company headquarters in Ulm on Monday: Dr. Monika Stolz, Employment and Social Minister of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. While at the site, she gained an impression of the company, which recently received an award for its commitment to the social market economy. Dr. Stolz was clearly very impressed by the corporate culture.

Throughout the guided tour of the production, warehouse, laboratory and main administration areas, Ernst Prost, managing partner of the company, spoke of “co-entrepreneurs” rather than “employees” – a term that pleased Dr. Stolz: “I think that using the word ‘co-entrepreneurs’ shows an excellent attitude and makes a fitting company philosophy. It conveys the idea that everybody is working in unison, which I find impressive and convincing.”

Compelling corporate culture

Prost, who would prefer to abolish hierarchy levels all together, is aware of the advantages of this style of leadership: “The number of people off sick and the staff turnover are extremely low because people enjoy working here. And this encourages creativity.” After all, companies thrive on extraordinary ideas and personal responsibility. “‘Be entrepreneurs in the enterprise’ – that’s what I tell my people. Because, as a boss, all I have to do then is to check who needs what and where I can help out.” A healthy corporate culture has a positive impact, with new strengths arising automatically. This was confirmed by the apprentices who the Minister spoke to at length during her visit. The creation of jobs and apprenticeship positions is a subject that is close to her heart – and not just because of her position as Employment Minister.

“Gaulish village” of the lubricant industry

This cooperation is one of the reasons why the midmarket company – practically the “Gaulish village” of the lubricant industry – can take on oil giants like Esso, Shell and BP. “Everybody finds more than just a career here. They also find a home,” emphasizes Prost. “And this human touch is a key to our success.” This is why the “service provider with a heart and soul” sees the future in an optimistic light. As the managing director says: “We have tasks that we will solve. We work hard and don’t talk much. This is how we achieve our success.” Always being there for the customers and having a great service mentality are other advantages Liqui Moly has over its competitors, as Prost explained to the Minister.

The company is a superb example for the state’s middle market. According to Dr. Stolz, “Baden-Württemberg gets its economic power from the middle market. That’s where the jobs are being created.” At the end of the visit, Prost confided his real secret for success with a wink: “We’re a Swabian company managed by Bavarians.” And, in an aside, the Minister admitted that she would rather have the oil in her private car changed by her boys back home!

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