What was the vision with which OEK was founded 65 years ago? What was the reason to start your own business?
M.Oechsle: Those were times of change after the war. My father was always a tinkerer and a technician. It was fun for him to deal with these topics autodidactically. It all started in the Weinhof in the laundry room. Then my mother sat at the table and produced. Small parts for the electrical and textile industries.
You had studied. Did you have a different career goal or was it very clear that you were going to work for your parents' company?
Margit Oechsle shakes her head. M.Oechsle: I was studying languages at the time. I was at the Institute for Translation and Interpreting in Heidelberg and had studied French and Italian. But a lot came together and there was a lot to do. We were at EuroShop 1981 in Düsseldorf for the first time and there I was able to use my language skills wonderfully. I really enjoyed that. Above all, the cooperation with a customer. To be close to the people. EuroShop was the decisive trade fair for us. Even then, we were able to acquire a large number of well-known customers. Introduce our newly developed frame.
It was an ideal combination for the company. Bring your language skills to international trade.
Was that your idea?
M.Oechsle: Not originally, but that's how it turned out. From then on I decided to join the company, but I needed a commercial background. Without further ado, I switched my studies and went to the University of Applied Sciences in Augsburg and studied business administration. In the morning I was studying and in the afternoon at home at my desk. I wrote invoices, made shipping labels and in the high season, when the project with Karstadt was running, I packed parcels.
How would you describe your company's corporate culture?
M.Oechsle: All departments and work in the house, on site, are very important to me. To work with different people. Participate in every working life and develop things together. And to convey that together to the new generation.
Development, are you talking about innovations?
M.Oechsle: That is actually the most important thing. The further development in the industry as well as in the team.
What was the biggest challenge in the company's history?
M.Oechsle: The challenge of not selling through dealers, but of going directly to the market. Directly to the customer. That was a big step. And of course to have the right team that grows with the company and supports everything on projects. Accompanied. I am grateful for that.
Where did the OEK Logo come from?
M.Oechsle: My father developed that too. Not in this detail as it looks today, but similar.
It is noticeable that the color red and a circle as a shape appear in many company logos that are active in the POS area these days. What do they think of that?
M.Oechsle: That confirms us as a successful pioneer in the POS area. Often you can be inspired by something good.
Many companies are moving their production to China or Eastern Europe. How do you rate Germany as a production location?
M.Oechsle: The fact that we still exist today, with production in Germany, is due to the fact that we pay attention to quality and our customers now know what they needed yesterday. This saves us a lot of logistics. In addition, we also have a large warehouse and can therefore accommodate large capacities on site. Hold up. This means that we are always on site quickly and can always respond very well to customer requirements.
And Leipheim is expanding as a business location?
M.Oechsle: A lot has happened lately. Good this way.
Which project or product do you think is the most successful?
M.Oechsle: The frame. The classic. State of the art. Copied worldwide.
Where do you see OEK in 5 years?
M.Oechsle: We recently repositioned ourselves. Together with Mr. Neumaier, we are pushing the area of innovation and development very strongly. He is a great out-of-the-box thinker who has gained a lot of insights and experience in other areas and brings them to the table.
From the diversity, are there any wishes or goals that you strive for as an entrepreneur?
M.Oechsle: Yes, definitely. Get more modern. More sustainable. But also larger machines with more power, especially in the area of injection molding.
Is there anything that makes you happy / excited?
M.Oechsle: Dancing makes me happy. Excites me. When the family is healthy and well.
Do you have a short balance sheet for the 33 years of managing director?
M.Oechsle: Promote employees and let talents live out. Without creative minds like Mr. Frana, we would not be where we are now. Very creative but also economical. He and my father were very similar.
Do you actually write Oechsle with Ö?
M.Oechsle: Actually, Öchsle. But my father signed with OE. Was more practical. Later also more international.
Do you donate?
M.Oechsle: I donate from the heart. I also donate privately. We just don't communicate that big. For me that goes without saying.
