Succeeding together

“I’m incredibly proud to have been part of the founding of SCHOTTEL Middle East in 2011. Back then, we started out with just four employees – today the team has grown to 17,” recalls Alikhan Sadik. The subsidiary was established in Dubai – one of the world’s major maritime hubs – to improve access to markets in the Middle East, on the Indian subcontinent and in English-speaking Africa. With great success: in recent years, SCHOTTEL Middle East has expanded its presence beyond the Gulf region into Africa and Asia. “We’ve also succeeded in entering highly regulated markets, navigating complex bureaucratic requirements,” he reports with pride. 

Finding customer-oriented solutions 

After completing his studies in business administration and mechanical engineering, Alikhan Sadik started his career in the offshore oil industry, initially focusing on protective coatings. What ultimately drew him to SCHOTTEL? “Above all, it was the company’s excellent reputation in ship propulsion, its customer-oriented approach and the forward-looking product portfolio,” he explains. His early responsibilities centered on preparing quotes and managing logistics. Over time, he increasingly took on greater responsibility in after-sales – a role that allowed him to combine his engineering expertise with strategic business development. “The trust placed in me to identify new market trends and develop innovative solutions has significantly strengthened my strategic skills.” 

Today, as Commercial Manager, Alikhan Sadik is responsible for the after-sales business, which encompasses a broad spectrum of customer support services – from providing essential spare parts and service solutions to developing and implementing customized retrofits tailored to changing customer needs and market requirements. “The most important part of my work is to ensure that customers feel confident in their choice of our propulsion systems,” he explains. “This includes providing our customers with time-efficient and cost-effective solutions to minimize downtime and maintain smooth operations.” In order to meet this standard, Alikhan Sadik works closely with various departments, including the After-Sales team at SCHOTTEL Middle East and the Purchasing, Logistics and Sales departments at the SCHOTTEL GmbH headquarters in Germany. “This allows us to ensure a seamless customer experience from the initial inquiry to post-delivery support.”

True team spirit 

When asked what drives him in his daily work, he has a clear answer: “It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our work enables vital transportation in regions of Africa where conventional infrastructure is lacking. Ferries with our propulsion systems are often the only link for entire communities – connecting people to schools, workplaces, medical care – or simply to each other.” But it is not only the social impact that motivates him – the strong sense of community also inspires him every day. “Teamwork isn’t an empty phrase at SCHOTTEL. There’s a genuine culture of collaboration, mutual respect and support.” To actively promote this team spirit, Alikhan Sadik, known to everyone as Ali, regularly organizes team-building activities. He firmly believes that shared experiences outside of day-to-day work are essential for strengthening bonds and improving teamwork overall.

In addition to regular meetings with his colleagues, the father of a five-year-old son is passionate about cooking and making flavoured chocolate in his free time. He keeps active by playing badminton. His hobbies provide him with new impetus and help him solve problems in his work life, he explains.

“People are fundamental to SCHOTTEL’s continued success” 

For his professional future, Alikhan Sadik has clear goals: he aims to further expand his leadership skills and drive the company’s expansion into new markets. He considers Dubai’s strategic geographic location, favourable government regulations and the region’s robust economic growth to be key success factors. Yet for him, SCHOTTEL’s greatest competitive strength remains its workforce. “We’re fortunate to have exceptionally bright and dedicated people whose hard work and expertise are fundamental to the company’s continued success.”