Bright Prospects for Metal Processing
Interview with Alexander Döring, Managing Director of OTTO FUCHS Dülken GmbH & Co. KG
Whether in automotive manufacturing, construction, or energy technology – it is only through precisely manufactured metal components that durable, safe, and efficient products for everyday life and the future are created. For over 80 years, OTTO FUCHS Dülken GmbH & Co. KG has stood for quality and innovation in metal processing. Under the leadership of Managing Director Alexander Döring, the traditional company is focusing on future markets, new alloys, and sustainable materials with a fresh perspective.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Döring, you have been the managing director at OTTO FUCHS Dülken since 2024. What distinguishes the company for you particularly?
Alexander Döring: OTTO FUCHS Dülken combines tradition and innovation in an exceptional way. We have an impressive depth of manufacturing: from our own foundry and the alloy we developed ourselves to the ready-to-install product, we deliver everything from a single source. This high level of value creation makes us flexible and strong in competition. Additionally, we have an excellent team with great expertise, which stands for quality, precision, and reliability.
Wirtschaftsforum: Which industries are you currently supplying with your products?
Alexander Döring: Our main markets are the automotive industry, sanitation and construction industry, hydraulics, and machinery and plant engineering. We are particularly strong in brass tubes and rods, which are used, for example, in drinking water pipelines, building services, or window frames. We also develop components for large engines and gas turbines, which is a growing market especially in view of the energy transition.
Wirtschaftsforum: You mentioned the in-house development of alloys. Can you give an example?
Alexander Döring: Current projects include the development and improvement of lead-free alloys for the sanitary and automotive sectors, such as Mercedes Truck engines. These alloys are not only environmentally friendly, but also more wear-resistant and durable than existing products. The fact that we are able to independently develop, test, and bring such materials to mass production gives us clear competitive advantages.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does sustainability play in your company?
Alexander Döring: A very large one. Brass is a sustainable material that can be recycled 100% without loss of quality or the need for complex chemical processing. Old parts can simply be remelted and reprocessed. Additionally, brass is corrosion-resistant and durable — products made from it often have a lifespan of decades. This saves resources and fits perfectly into the circular economy strategies of our customers.
Wirtschaftsforum: Do you think brass is underrated as a material?
Alexander Döring: Yes, absolutely. When people think about brass, many envision old chandeliers or fixtures. However, this material has tremendous advantages: it is not only recyclable and durable, but also visually very attractive. Brass can be easily refined, polished, or burnished, making it appealing for architecture, interior design, or exclusive construction projects.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you plan to position OTTO FUCHS Dülken for the future?
Alexander Döring: We are strongly focusing on diversification. Apart from existing markets, we aim to grow in the area of large engines for gas turbines and other sustainable energy production. I see great potential for our products and alloys here. Additionally, we are expanding our sales structure, including internationally, to be closer to our customers and to better leverage our flexibility as an advantage.
Wirtschaftsforum: What do your growth targets look like in numbers?
Alexander Döring: Currently, we are at around 100 million EUR in revenue. We plan to grow by about 20% in the coming years. The potential is there: Our factory could produce significantly more if market demand increases. For example, we manufacture pipes and rods for the construction industry. As soon as it recovers, we can ramp up our capacities accordingly.
Wirtschaftsforum: Where do you see demands on politics to strengthen companies like yours?
Alexander Döring: There are two key points. First: Politics should focus on creating favorable framework conditions, tax and employment law. The employment law, as well as the distribution constitution law, need to be modernized. Second: Support programs are good, but lack of knowledge and especially bureaucracy almost prevent their use and thus their effect. The required effort is disproportionate. As an entrepreneur, you often have little opportunity to react flexibly to market changes. If these framework conditions are not improved, we lose competitiveness against countries where decisions are made and implemented more quickly.
Wirtschaftsforum: You talk about tradition and innovation. How do you combine both in the corporate culture?
Alexander Döring: We are proud of our long history, but at the same time, we are crafting a culture of collaboration and openness. Every employee, whether in production or administration, is equally important to us. One cannot function without the other. That’s why we place great importance on respect, clear communication, and the inclusion of all employees. In regular discussion rounds, we inform transparently about progress, challenges, and goals, and also welcome criticism and suggestions. Only together can we be successful.
Wirtschaftsforum: What personally drives you to accompany such transformation processes?
Alexander Döring: I am motivated by seeing what is possible through change. I am one of those people who embrace challenges to make a difference together with the teams. For me, there is no weather too cold, no water too deep, and no day too short in such phases. I see it as my task to position companies like OTTO FUCHS Dülken for the future, thus preserving jobs and expertise in Germany.
Wirtschaftsforum: When you think about OTTO FUCHS Dülken in five to ten years – what do you hope for?
Alexander Döring: I hope that we continue to be perceived as a reliable partner who impresses not only with top quality but also with sustainable and innovative solutions. I see OTTO FUCHS Dülken then with a broader portfolio, strong international sales structures, and as an active driver in innovative and high-performance alloys. Brass as a material has a great future – and we will contribute significantly to it with our expertise.