Top Service Package

Older customers attach great importance to good service. Master painter Ralph Stegmaier offers exactly that and expects it himself - from his suppliers. Ulrich Schweizer It has become extremely rare for a painting company to inspire the fifth generation. But because Stegmaier's painting company and home text studio in Schwäbisch Gmünd-Straßdorf do exactly the same thing, the parents and grandparents should have done everything right: 17-year-old Max Stegmaier wants to follow in his father's footsteps. Then the continued existence of the company is secured. Master painter Ralph Stegmaier and his wife Beate are still right in the middle of their working life, but can gradually introduce their son to the company and to a subsequent successor. Beate Stegmaier is a trained teacher,is active in the company as a master woman and also takes care of the concerns of the three masters, three foremen, three journeyman and three apprentices. What made the painting business and Heimtexstudio Stegmaier look so good? "We always tried to pick up innovations and trends on the market at an early stage and implement them in the company, whether it was a question of certain techniques and products or the craftsman services themselves." When asked for examples, the entrepreneur Ralph Steigmaier called stretch ceilings, illusion painting and mold remediation. All of this was already “on offer” when only a few companies in the painting industry were interested in these areas of work. If you study the vehicle lettering at "Stego", as the company's abbreviation also known to customers,then one of the various services catches the eye: senior service. Then Ralph Stegmaier is one of those who have also noticed how quickly the army of potential customers in the 50plus age group is growing? “Of course we know how big and interesting the target group is. But we have been offering services to seniors for 20 years, and not just since the general public has gone through all the media.”So a pioneer with vision here too. That is why it has long been everyday life for Ralph Stegmaier and nothing special. Range of services Not so long ago, however, the Stegmaiers found that not only older and old clients were interested in the special services that were designed for seniors: "Young people are increasingly asking for our service,whether it is a holiday service or hanging and hanging up curtains. And we often find that new customers come to us through recommendations - and everything based on the basic idea of also using the Stegmaier senior service as a younger customer.”It looks like the Stegmaiers also have a head start here, too when some things are not necessarily strategically planned, but simply perceived, simply registered in everyday life. Could it be that the entire industry is focusing more on a too small segment of potential customers? And could it be that the seniors were simply the first to ask for more services and are also willing to pay for it,but actually more and more wealthy customers of all ages want exactly this range of services? Ralph Stegmaier believes to at least perceive evidence of this. “The big difference between the two age groups can only be seen in the fact that a fixed price is important for the boys and that the seniors can also be billed for hours. Older customers are often retired and interested in painting. That's why they stand by now and then and see that the painters create and therefore the calculated hours are justified.”With his company, Ralph Stegmaier is part of a loose artisan cooperation of various trades that use synergies. “Especially when it comes to the elderly, the cooperation sometimes turns out to be an asset. The most important thing for the elderly is that everything runs smoothly. And if you can recommend other craftspeople who coordinate their appointments well with those of the painter, then the older and older customers are satisfied.”Interior fittings At Stegmaiers there is an adjacent trade: the interior fittings. Responsible for this is Beate Franke, Ralph Stegmaier's sister, who is responsible for this area as a master and technician for color, advertising and design. Painter and interior decorator services come together in the showroom and home text studio. This constellation is ideal for the siblings as well as for the customers, because there are many points of contact from which, on the one hand, services can be created for the customers and, on the other hand, sales for the painter and interior decorator sector. Vitamin C service package Everyday life in a painting company runs like clockwork,if the processes are well organized. This is the case with Ralph Stegmaier: “But this is only possible if our suppliers are reliable and provide us with services. We are the customers and we want good support. But for us this also means that a supplier tries to get us and brings a little more commitment than a manufacturer who doesn't know us.”It is clear that the same mechanisms apply here as for the relationship between a good painting company and its customers: "It all depends on people. If the contact is good and you value each other, then the cooperation also works.”Because it was the same with sales consultant Eugen Kiemele, the Stegmaiers also switched color suppliers after the dedicated master painter and varnisher went to another employer:"Eugen Kiemele always advised us well, adhered to appointments and agreements - and so we followed him and, as customers, we went on to buy from Alligator." Obviously, the move was not regretted in Schwäbisch Gmünd-Straßdorf, because there are not only colors & Co. there ordered, but also placed a mixing plant in the Stegmaier warehouse. “It's great for us now - we're just more flexible. Sometimes we only know a few hours beforehand what color tones we need for emulsion and facade paints.”Ralph Stegmaier is happy about the system, but also about it:“Alligator also has topic-related brochures for the end customer. I think that's great.”Alligator Head of Communication Manuela Beiter is pleased that the documents are so well received:“In the brochures, we focus on moods and well-being. This gives the customer a desire for the new facade or the painting work in the interior.”And because Alligator wants to support its customers in the market in the best possible way, Alligator has developed the“Vitamin C service package”. "It is very important to us that the customer retains his operational identity - and that combines with the alligator brand promise." So we offer a first-class sample service, including perfect service tools. The vitamin C package leads him to a positive identification effect in the area of activity of the painter's business, which in turn favors market cultivation for the master painter on site. “The vitamin C service package as a mix of products, marketing and advertising materials is specially tailored to the target group of one- and two-family house owners. We offer information brochures, door signs, scaffolding nets,Advertising signs,”says Manuela Beiter. And here the circle closes: Senior citizens and other good customers expect more and more service from the painting business. The painter entrepreneur also expects service and flexibility from his suppliers. Manuela Beiter from Alligator also knows what motivates her customers to become regular customers: "Where you feel in good hands and where the service fits, you like to remain a customer." And where people feel good, they like to linger - for Example in the café of the South German Painter Museum by father Eugen Stegmaier. But that in turn provides material for a separate article …Manuela Beiter from Alligator also knows what motivates her customers to become regular customers: "Where you feel in good hands and where the service fits, you like to remain a customer." And where people feel good, they like to linger - for Example in the café of the South German Painter Museum by father Eugen Stegmaier. But that in turn provides material for a separate article …Manuela Beiter from Alligator also knows what motivates her customers to become regular customers: "Where you feel in good hands and where the service fits, you like to remain a customer." And where people feel good, they like to linger - for Example in the café of the South German Painter Museum by father Eugen Stegmaier. But that in turn provides material for a separate article …

PRACTICAL PLUS

Painter Ralph Stegmaier Stegmaier painter's workshop Heimtextstudio Öschweg 24 73529 Schwäbisch Gmünd-Straßdorf Tel.: (07171) 499404 Fax: (07171) 499407 [email protected] www.stegmaier.de Alligator Farbwerke GmbH [email protected] www.alligator.de