Wirtschaftsforum: You have an impressive career behind you before you took on the role as managing partner. What motivated you to take this step?

Mustafa Oualkadi: I studied mechatronics and have worked in various positions in the industry. In 2014, I went to the USA for five years and led two companies there. I really enjoyed the experience of being responsible. The decision to start my own business with oso precision GmbH at the end of 2022 and take over the management was the logical consequence for me. It has always been my dream to have something of my own and to implement my ideas. The step into self-employment was easier for me than moving to the USA as a CEO, because I have more creative freedom here. Additionally, the support of my fellow partners was crucial.

Wirtschaftsforum: What is the current market position of oso precision GmbH and which target groups do you address?

Mustafa Oualkadi: We are leaders throughout Europe in the conrod sector and have established ourselves as a reliable partner for automotive conglomerates, agriculture, the mining industry, and navigation. Despite diversification, our focus continues to be on the production of high-precision and high-performance forged parts, and we work closely with our customers to develop customized solutions. In the coming years, we intend to further strengthen our market position, particularly in the USA, where we see significant growth potential. Long-term contracts with our customers are important to us to solidify the cooperation.

Wirtschaftsforum: Are there any new developments in your company that you would like to highlight?

Mustafa Oualkadi: An exciting development is our investment in new manufacturing technologies to become more efficient and further improve the quality of our products. We have also started to invest in the field of electric drives to prepare ourselves for the future.

Wirtschaftsforum: What challenges do you currently see in your industry and how do you deal with them?

Mustafa Oualkadi: One of the biggest challenges is the rising energy costs, as we, being a forging company, are heavily dependent on energy. The past years have shown how volatile the energy market can be, which has posed several difficulties for us. Moreover, we are facing a fundamental transformation in the automotive industry. While the internal combustion engine is gradually losing importance in passenger cars, we see great potential in areas such as agriculture, the construction and mining industry, and motorboats. We are in a process of transformation and are working closely with OEMs to adapt our portfolio to the new requirements. It is important to us to continuously evolve and align our production with the needs of our customers.

Wirtschaftsforum: How important is digitalization for oso precision GmbH, and what measures have you taken in this regard?

Mustafa Oualkadi: Digitalization is a central part of our strategy. We have heavily invested in the automation of our production processes and continuously work on optimizing them. We also use digital platforms to increase our visibility in the market and to recruit new talent. Social media plays an important role in our recruiting process, and we regularly attend trade fairs and give presentations to present ourselves as an attractive employer.

Wirtschaftsforum: The job at the forge is considered particularly demanding. What measures are you taking to attract young talent to your company and retain them in the long term?

Mustafa Oualkadi: It is not easy to attract young people to craft professions, especially for such a demanding job as in the forge. We place great emphasis on good training and offer our employees attractive working conditions. We have flat hierarchies and a work environment where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and co-create. Our employees highly value this, and it also helps us to find and retain young talent. We also provide comprehensive training in our own training workshop and support our employees in their professional development.

Wirtschaftsforum: What visions do you have for the future of oso precision GmbH?

Mustafa Oualkadi: Our vision is to continue to drive the transformation process in our company and not let external influences slow us down. We aim to further diversify our business and establish a foothold in new markets. We see it as our task to continue acting as a reliable partner for our customers and to maintain long-term relationships. Additionally, we wish for more awareness in politics regarding the needs of the German Mittelstand so that we can continue to be successful as a company in the future. Our long-term strategy also includes significant investments in sustainable technologies to minimize our ecological footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. It is important to us to remain flexible in a rapidly changing market environment and to push forward innovations.

Wirtschaftsforum: What motivates you personally in your work?

Mustafa Oualkadi: I love working with people and getting to know different cultures. It motivates me to see how our products are used worldwide and make a real difference. Through our work, we help our customers achieve their goals, and that is the biggest motivation for me. It is fulfilling to know that our products have not only an economic value but also provide real added value to society.