Liqui Moly turnover up 20 per cent

German oil and additive manufacturer Liqui Moly has boosted its turnover to 733 million euro, an increase of 20 per cent compared to 2020.

“This is much more than we expected in view of the difficult year,” says Managing Director Ernst Prost. “It shows what is possible, despite the adverse circumstances.”

With the pandemic, a shortage of raw materials and strained supply chains, 2021 was chock-full of hurdles.

“Not just for us, but for the entire industry,” explains Prost. “Under such circumstances, it becomes apparent who is not only a fair-weather captain, but can also navigate his ship safely through a storm.”

In the case of Liqui Moly, that worked out well: From February to November, a new sales record was set every month.

“The last time we had such a series was ten years ago – and at that time there were no global economic upheavals,” says Prost. He also explains the success by referring to the reliability of the company. “Many a competitor capitulated in the face of the problems and could no longer deliver goods to its customers. These customers then came to us in droves, because we just didn’t give up and remained able to deliver despite all the difficulties.”

Not only that – Liqui Moly expanded its business areas. In Germany and Austria, for example, the restructured business with filling stations grew particularly strongly. On the whole, sales for these two countries grew by 12 per cent. In Austria, the company founded a subsidiary in January 2022 in order to further expand its position in this market. In exports, the increase of 28 per cent was even greater. There again, the countries in which Liqui Moly serves the market itself through its own subsidiaries made a particular contribution to growth. Says Prost: “With our own team and a clear strategy, an incredible amount is possible.” For example, sales in the USA, the most important export market, rose by 50 per cent and in Italy they doubled.

“There is still a lot of potential waiting for us everywhere. That’s why internationalisation and diversification are so important to us. Ten years ago, our turnover was 343 million euro. Back then, when we talked about a billion euro in sales as our target, we were laughed at,” Ernst Prost recalls. “Now the billion is within reach.”

In addition to sales, the number of employees also grew – to 1008, 19 more than in the previous year.

“As a manufacturing company, creating new jobs during the crisis is something I think is even better than any increase in sales,” Prost emphasises.