A colorful company

"That's true, Susana is right. The coffee thing is teamwork, like everything here," he says, agreeing with the office assistant, before he explains how the crew start the day just before seven by sharing a pot of coffee together each morning. A total of 17 people are part of the Block painting contractor firm, nine more work at a different address, where the corresponding companies "Bodenleger Block" and "Farbraum Metzler & Block" are headquartered.

A year hasn't quite passed since Block took over the Farbraum Metzler; a long-standing Hamburg company. In a space extending over more than 100 m², customers can find not only a wide selection of paints, but also carpets, all kinds of floor coverings, materials, furniture, and living accessories. While Horst Block is head of the painting contractor firm, which he himself took on from his father almost 20 years ago, his wife now leads this new branch of the company, supported by their son.

A small family operation

When you cast your eye over the offices in the Hamburg-Bramfeld headquarters, it quickly becomes clear that you are visiting a family-run company. A photo of a young woman hangs on one wall; "Michelle, our future boss," as Sven Hansch explains. The young woman in question is currently studying her masters.

"First and foremost, however, she isn't a master painter, but instead a proper little boss," adds Horst Block. And then he has the same look as everyone else that tries (unsuccessfully) to halfway hide fatherly pride. Hamburg's Horst Block therefore has no need to worry about the future of his business, unlike many others in the same position. A good feeling? "Of course it is," nods Block.

He then goes on to tell us how, among his own customers, there are still some who his father painted for, as long as 30 years ago. "They knew me when I was just an apprentice, and now Michelle is getting started. Our family has seen many of our customers through life. Just recently we painted the senior home. There were people there that I’ve worked for, for decades."

It is perhaps no coincidence that such a "senior service" is one of the company's most popular offerings. Sven Hansch explains what's behind this: "To save our customers additional work, if requested, we prepare the rooms to be painted. That means we take down pictures, lamps, and curtains, tidy shelves, fold up furniture. After painting, everything is put back as it was. Customers can even go on holiday. When they come back, everything is as it was – except the walls and ceilings. These definitely have a new look! And if a move is part of the equation, we even organize the boxes."

He adds that this service isn't just popular among seniors, but that middle-aged people like to book this, too; so it's called the "50Plus". "That could be something for you," jokes Susana Prüfer, hinting of a recently celebrated birthday, of a certain round number...

The trained medical assistant refers to herself as the "office all-rounder" and quietly affirms how much she enjoys working with a team of men. "Everyone here is relaxed, we enjoy each others' company, there is a lot of laughter. I think our customers notice that and value it."

Colorful variety

Talking of customers, the Block painting contractor firm mostly, but not exclusively, undertakes private commissions. The company specializes in painting interior spaces. The operation is also certified in treating water damage and mold, and is familiar with solar protection technology, room acoustics, and electro-smog protection.

And thanks to the latest, youngest addition to the firm, they can now also equip entire apartments with carpets, home textiles, and new flooring. "This doesn't mean we only work indoors," Sven Hansch is eager to emphasize. "Of course, we also update facades with a new coat of paint or take care of the effects of weathering in exterior areas." He enjoys the variety of the work. "Here, no one week is like the next, everyday working life is very colorful."

When he still worked on site everyday, Hansch most enjoyed seeing what things looked like when the job was done. "At the end of a day, or various days, it is so satisfying to see what you've managed to achieve. Of course, you don't quite get that feeling in an office. But the great feedback from our customers also echoes that feeling."

Horst Block confirms this: "For me, getting customer feedback is the best part of our job. We notice how happy they are, ideally in multiple ways: First of all, when we finish the job and the customer is pleased with the result. And then, after the years have passed, when the same customer calls again. And sometimes even just after a job, if the telephone rings and such-and-such a customer has recommended us to a friend."

Good communication

The proportion of repeat customers in the Block address file is very high. Is there a secret to success? "As we said, communication is everything," answers Horst Block. "That doesn't just apply within the team, but also to customer contact. We listen and provide a proper consulting service. If something doesn't work as seamlessly as it should have, then we try to improve afterward."

And of course, we don't discuss questions of taste. "If a customer comes to us with a request, then we can gently guide them with our specialist knowledge. I can recommend a specific technique and provide the best quality of work. But I would never recommend something different simply because it doesn't tally with my own personal taste."

Maria Block shares this opinion. She loves advising customers and helping to open them up to a whole new world of ideas through her sample books. But when it comes to chatting about colors and carpets, blinds and floorboards, she is always careful. "After all, it's not about me, it's about the customer. If the customer is happy once we're done, then I've given the right advice and our employees have done their job well."

A tournament team

The most senior member of the team is Matthias Ihrke. The expert tradesman has been part of the Block painting contractor firm for 13 years. Today, he's working together with apprentice Nicolas Zaudig to paint the ceiling of the exhibition space in the Metzler & Block premises. These two also value the variety of their everyday work and the irreplaceable feeling of sharing the joy of others at seeing a job well done.

Doing something good for others was the entire motivation for an entirely different project, set up by the company some three years ago. A bet resulted in the idea of arranging a football tournament and thereby collecting money for a good cause.

Just as in the past two years, this summer, twelve company teams will meet to play against each other, and in addition to the sport, a schedule of light entertainment is planned. In 2018, a team from the Casio Group came first in the Block Charity Tournament, but another result was far more important: A solid 5,000 euros were raised, which the company donated to the Radio Hamburg "Hörer helfen Kindern" project. The radio station supports kids and young people in need through this project.

"This year, two Brillux teams are actually taking part too," says Sven Hansch. He reaches for his coffee cup and adds, grinning, "Let's see what they're capable of."