I started working for a large company in our sector in 2000, which is now our direct competitor. Initially I worked in the commercial area, later in sales, and quite successfully too. But this success led to envy at management level. My then partner and now wife, Judith Ajubita, is the daughter of the founder and managing director of MTE in Spain. This led to major professional difficulties for me. Despite my success, I waspersonallyattacked. At first, I thought Icouldjust sit it out. But after a few years it became unbearable.

Joining MTE: A decision with heart and mind

During this time, I was offered great opportunities at other competitors. I actually never wanted to combine my private and professional lives and naively planned to move into a management position at another company. But my relationship with my wife would never have allowed me to settle down professionally in our industry. After a long search for asolution, we realized that it could only be all or nothing: Either our partnership and working together at MTE or no partnership and no MTE. The answer was simple, and we made plans for me to join MTE.

MTE is a family business. We had the chance to build something great based on my experience and with great people in the team. We seized this opportunity together.

Changes at MTE: From reconstruction to success

When I joined the company, we had just emerged from the biggest crisis in machine tool manufacturing in Germany. With six employees and a turnover of 3.5 million euros, we were on the verge of reconstruction. Today, we employ 44 people in Germany and closed the 2024 financial year with a turnover of around 23 million euros. We can look back on successful years.

An important step was the construction of our own new building in Montabaur. We planned a building that would meet our needs and make a statement to the German market. Looking back, we made surprisingly few mistakes. The building was far too big when we moved in, but after ten years it is already too small. We are therefore planning an extension for 2025 / 2026 to make the site fit for the next 10 – 15 years.

Challenges and benefits of German-Spanish cooperation

Running a Spanish-German company in two locations is a particular challenge. I have been living this model successfully for almost 20 years with my wife and our children, who are growing up in three cultures: German, Basque and Spanish. Our work and the history of MTE are at home in the Basque region of northern Spain. Since the 1970s, the region has beencharacterized by the conflict between the Spanish and Basque cultures – and the attempt to reunite the two cultures. This experience enriches us all in a great way.

Basque culture is not so foreign to us Germans. Discipline, hard work and pride in one’s own work make collaboration easy. We have a flat hierarchy at both locations, which has a positive effect on the efficiency and quality of our product.

Personal highlights and future prospects

Apersonalhighlight was the successful completion of the extensive FBF-M 4000 project at KWO Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG. It showed me how strong and committed our team is and how much wecanachieve together.

The future looks promising. We are a healthy, strong company with a high-quality and successful product. With a stable economic situation in Europe and the world, we are optimistic about the future.

Leisure and passion

As a managing director, free time is limited. But I also see my time as a husband and father as free time. When I do find time, I’m a petrol-head. This may provoke raised eyebrows or a shake of the head these days, but: I love classic cars, sports cars and motorcycles. I have been cultivating this passion for over 30 years. A few hours on the motorcycle or in the car, without a phone or e-mail, give my head the time-out itneeds.

Skills shortage: our recipe

The shortage of skilled workers is a problem, but we are lucky to have great team loyalty and low staff turnover. We offer our employees a great deal of individual freedom and theopportunityto develop their own concepts andsolutions. This brings a high level of responsibility, but also satisfaction. The most effective way for us is word-of-mouth advertising, and where that is not enough, we use social media recruiting.

A wish for MTE

I would like to see an economically and politically stable situation in Europe and the world. With these framework conditions, we can look forward to a bright and successful future with MTE.