Doing business with strength?

We have companies like Citaku in Bad Essen!

Entrepreneurial courage in economically challenging times: District Administrator Anna Kebschull and WIGOS Managing Director Peter Vahrenkamp saw this for themselves during their visit to Citaku GmbH in Bad Essen - Germany's largest producer of painting hooks. During a tour of the plant, the family-run company impressively demonstrated how specialisation, craftsmanship and strategic decisions have kept the company stable through difficult market phases.

Citaku produces around 1,000 tonnes of wire every year, 90 per cent of which is made from recycled steel. "Today's customers want to know exactly where the wire comes from. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important - and we attach great importance to this," explained Nazmi Citaku. Most of the recycled steel comes from Sweden. The enamelled hooks are produced entirely in Bad Essen, while accessories such as plugs, caps and adhesive tape are sourced from China. Both areas are equally weighted: "50 per cent hooks, 50 per cent accessories - this balance stabilises us when individual sectors weaken," says Naim Citaku.

For years, the company management has been pursuing a clear strategy: investing instead of shrinking, especially in times of crisis. "While others cut back in difficult phases, we invest - and can therefore deliver," emphasised Naim Citaku. Thanks to extensive automation, the company can react flexibly even with a current team of 19 employees. As a result, Citaku is gaining new customers, especially in difficult times.

The customer base ranges from traditional contract coaters to well-known agricultural machinery companies such as Krone and Claas. Citaku B.V. in the Netherlands also supplies the market in the Benelux countries. "When our customers order, we can respond immediately. We have every accessory in stock for at least six months. Speed is our speciality," explained Nazmi Citaku. The 24-hour express delivery service is also used - despite higher costs - to guarantee maximum delivery speed.

District Administrator Kebschull was impressed: "Citaku is holding its own in a very specialised niche and is developing positively despite the difficult economic situation. Everyone is pitching in here - respect!" At the same time, she emphasised how important the close exchange with regional companies is. WIGOS Managing Director Peter Vahrenkamp added: "We see ourselves as a service provider for the companies in the district - neutral, free of charge, providing support, whether in terms of funding, sustainability, recruiting skilled labour or succession issues."

Citaku is optimistic about the future. "After every low, things start to look up again," says the management. "Economic dips are part of it. The key is to build stability in good years so that we can keep our team in more difficult times."

Caption : A joint tour of the Citaku plant (from left): WIGOS Managing Director Peter Vahrenkamp, District Administrator Anna Kebschull, Managing Director Naim Citaku, Bad Essen's Mayor Timo Natemeyer, Julia Citaku, Silke Bulthaup (Municipality of Bad Essen, Head of Environment, Planning and Construction), Carsten Meyer (General Representative of the Mayor) and Managing Director Nazmi Citaku.

Photo: © Sandra Joachim-Meyer / WIGOS