Liderkit’s current Export Manager, Miguel Sanchez, started working at the company 16 years ago. He shares his impressions about his journey at Liderkit and the challenges he faces daily.
Miguel remembers his beginnings in the Liderkit family in 2008, when he started through an internship “Icaro” at the University of Jaen, where he was studying Industrial Mechanical Engineering. He highlights how he has witnessed the growth and evolution of the bodywork company since its inception.
«I spent six months in the Quality Department, where I was trained and got to know how the company works. Then I spent some time in the Technical Office and later I established myself in the Commercial Department where I currently carry out my duties».
One of Miguel Sánchez’s biggest personal challenges has been mastering languages, a fact of which he is particularly proud. Thanks to travel, contact with other cultures and the help of his colleagues, despite not having specific training in languages, he defends himself and communicates correctly in English and French.
On a labor level, he mentions the constant challenges that Liderkit presents, highlighting the opening of new markets, especially in countries that are still developing.
«Liderkit is a company that doesn’t allow you to relax. Every day there are new challenges to overcome and new goals to set».
When asked about what he enjoys most about his job, Miguel highlights the importance of feeling part of the project and brags about the good work environment and the commitment of his colleagues. For this reason, he dedicates part of his time to taking care of and maintaining that environment. He believes that fitting into the team and helping each other is crucial to develop an optimal job with positive results.
«What I like most about my job is the people and colleagues around me, I can boast of having a team made up of very competent, committed and hardworking people».
Likewise, he enjoys his work and does it with total security and fullness because, in Miguel’s words: «I take care of the company as if it were mine». He likes to dedicate as much time as possible to his work.
Regarding the competencies that he considers essential for a good Export Director, Miguel Sánchez points out that he does not consider himself a typical Export Director since his role is broader.
«Apart from leading the Export sales team, opening new markets and developing new projects, I am in charge of creating the lines of work, organizing them by routes according to sales and destination, and coordinating them with the Factory Manager, Technical Office and Purchasing, to optimize delivery time and costs».
He points out that he is the one who manages all the logistics of the finished product to allow it to reach the destination.
«I am also in charge of directing and coordinating the loading/delivery of all the finished product to the destination. In addition, I am in charge of Marketing, supervising digital content, interviews, advertisements, annual marketing plan, event organization… All this in conjunction with the management that is a very active part in this area».
Regarding the most important markets for Liderkit, the Export Director emphasizes that they are focused on those where they do not have a presence yet. However, Spain, France, Germany and England are his most stable markets, although for Miguel all of them are important because they add, teach and help make Liderkit what it has currently managed to be.
The strategy that has led Liderkit to differentiate itself in the international market, Miguel Sánchez underlines the work, effort and perseverance. The key to success has been adapting to the needs of customers and markets, offering tailor-made products where each order is an independent project.
«We can adapt to any need the client has. If we don’t have something available, we design, manufacture and make it happen».
With more than 55% of its turnover coming from exports and a presence in 63 countries, Liderkit’s next goal is to continue growing. It is constantly expanding into new markets, with the ambition of becoming a global benchmark in the sector. In addition, he points out that the range of options is expanding day by day.
«I would also like to enter other market niches such as healthcare, military or airport in the short/medium term. We have a lot of resources, and there are more and more sustainable solutions that we are proposing, such as our LiderPET panels, decontaminating polyester or our future waste recovery activity».
Finally, Miguel Sánchez points out that Liderkit has started the year 2024 with another significant growth, exceeding all budget forecasts. This fact drives the company to make large investments in infrastructure, advanced machinery and human capital to meet growing demand and continue to exceed expectations.
Miguel, with a clear and continuous vision, concludes by indicating that his main strategic objective is for Liderkit to continue growing and increasing its presence in new markets. And, above all, exceed their own forecasts year after year.