Value Creators with Values
Interview with Michael Klink, Managing Director of μ-Tec GmbH
With its products and services, the aim is to create tangible benefits and thus added value for their customers, a standard that is implemented anew every day at μ-TEC GMBH. Being 'value creators' is the target of a development that has transformed the company from a service provider to a partner of its customers, placing people at the center – both customers and employees.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Klink, what was the most important milestone for your company?
Michael Klink: We refer to ourselves as 'benefit providers' because our main focus is on being useful to other people and their companies with our products. Reaching this point and evolving from a simple service provider to a true benefit provider is probably the greatest success in our development, and it motivates all of us who work here. We create highly precise solutions that we continuously improve to achieve the best possible results and satisfy our customers at all levels.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you manage to achieve this?
Michael Klink: We primarily offer a wide portfolio of services around mold making – from the idea to the finished product. In classical mold making, we mainly develop molds for plastic injection molding. Additionally, we offer what is known as internal high-pressure forming, where the parts to be processed are shaped by building up high pressure from the inside. Here, we mainly manufacture tools for the automotive industry. As a service provider, we undertake highly precise 5-axis HSC milling of electrodes and materials such as steel, graphite, or molybdenum, the construction of prototypes, as well as project management for our customers' projects.
Wirtschaftsforum: What sets μ-Tec apart from the competition?
Michael Klink: I think it is primarily our approach to creating value and thus added value for our customers. That is something special – both in a concrete business-economic sense, because by adopting the customer's perspective, we focus on achieving the greatest possible benefit for them and deliver corresponding products.
On the other hand, it concerns how we interact within our company, because individuals are viewed holistically with us. They can only develop if we acknowledge their personality. This also applies to sales: people buy from people. Those who can develop their personalities are more resilient, creative, productive, and thus more content. This is our key USP.
Wirtschaftsforum: That is a truly fascinating and especially ethical approach. What was your own career path like?
Michael Klink: I studied mechanical engineering in Stuttgart and finished my studies in the USA with a master's degree. Afterwards, I joined my family's business. Entrepreneurship was more or less ingrained in me from birth. I then founded μ-Tec in 1997 together with a partner.
Wirtschaftsforum: What do you see as your challenges?
Michael Klink: I like the macro perspective. I think outside the box: Buying a product always involves trust. If I, as a buyer, have doubts, I hold onto my money. Without trust in the product, there is no development of the company. Therefore, the focus must always be on creating products that justify the trust placed in them. For us, that means getting a bit better all the time.
Wirtschaftsforum: What is the status of digitalization and automation in your company?
Michael Klink: We have successfully implemented digitalization in the commercial sector. As for the manufacturing sector, there is still potential in this regard.
In some projects, we already implement this consistently from the cost calculation of the offer to the delivery of the product. All the information needed when a piece of steel is made into a product that must meet all technical criteria is prepared digitally so that the software and computer systems can access it directly.
Wirtschaftsforum: What sales channels do you use and how do you design your marketing?
Michael Klink: We use a CRM system and are active on LinkedIn. Additionally, we are present at trade fairs, where we seek personal contact with our customers, maintain existing contacts, and aim to convince potential customers of our value. Relevant to us is primarily Fakuma, the leading trade fair for the plastics industry.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you address the issue of skilled worker shortages?
Michael Klink: It is not easy to fill all the apprenticeship positions we offer in the technical-manual area, which is why we have entered into a cooperation with a comprehensive school here locally. Apart from apprentices, however, we have no problems finding employees. The fact that we communicate our values and live by them significantly contributes to our ability to attract enough new employees. We want our employees to feel comfortable. Intrinsic motivation is very important to us because only when you are intrinsically motivated do you work productively and with joy.
Wirtschaftsforum: What projects are you aiming for in the future?
Michael Klink: One task will be to further advance digitalization in the company. Our DNA of providing benefits is to continue to be reflected in our products.