The CEO of LIQUI MOLY, Ernst Prost has been speaking about the outstanding level of sales achieved by the company in 2017 and has highlighted some of the foundations on which the brands susses has been built.

Since 2006, LIQUI MOLY has tripled its sales in a market not known for its strong growth. Ernst explains, “It is all down to hard work. There is no resting on our laurels for us. We want to march onwards, not stand still. Our growth is organic. No acquisitions, no debt. We are running all by ourselves, under our own steam. We have 120 million euros equity with a balance sheet total of 160 million euros. That is an equity ratio of 75% and means we can weather any storm.”

He adds, “Perhaps hard work has actually fallen out of fashion for some, but over my career I have learned that success doesn't come to people who wait for things to happen for them. Success comes to those who work like a horse every day, regardless of whether you're running a company, visiting customers or working in production. If every individual employee behaves in this way, then success will come by itself.”

On the payment of a recent €11,000 bonus to all employees, Ernst explains that the company's success is the success of each individual colleague. He says, “It is only fair that each individual should share in their success and do so by the same amount. Of course, the €11,000 makes more of a difference to my colleagues in production than those in management. For the colleagues that work at our subsidiary in South Africa in a warehouse this represents up to two annual salaries. Even our trainees and temps get a bonus.”

On top of the bonuses paid the success of the company has also meant increased investment with €10 million set aside of infrastructure investment and €5 million for research and product development.

Looking to the future Ernst said he is confident his company can handle  issues such as rising oil prices, Brexit and growing conflicts in many countries. He comments, “Uncertainty is a part of doing business. It is not something to be feared, but something to be managed. If risks rise somewhere, then opportunities rise somewhere else. You can't just blindly chase every euro. I'd rather miss out on a sale from which I don't earn anything. That's why we have practically no payment defaults. That's not only good for us, but also for our suppliers and customers. They know that, in us, they have a reliable and stable partner on their side, that doesn't waver, even when the wind is blowing in their face.”

In January Ernst sold his LIQUI MOLY shares to the Würth Group, but continues on as CEO. On this he said, “The sale to Würth was an important step to securing the long-term future of LIQUI MOLY, beyond my own time. However, this only means a change of owner behind the scenes. LIQUI MOLY continues to remain independent, I continue to decide the fate of the company and we continue to maintain our successful sales model via wholesalers. Everything is staying as it is, only more secure.”