SUW Berger GmbH has been a permanent fixture in Hallbergmoos since 1997. What began in a small cellar has developed into a versatile family business that now offers not only sun protection, but also smart home solutions and outdoor living concepts. With customers such as O2 SURFTOWN MUC, the Bayerischer Hof and customers as far afield as Lake Garda, SUW Berger focuses on quality craftsmanship, sustainability, employee satisfaction and innovation.
From Neufahrn to Hallbergmoos: The beginnings of SUW Berger
The roots of SUW Berger go back to 1983, when the parents-in-law of the current Managing Director Meinhard Berger founded the company in Neufahrn near Freising. “In 1998, my wife and I took over the family business and moved to Hallbergmoos,” recalls Berger. “Back then, we didn’t have our own building or offices. We started in a small basement with just two employees: my 70-year-old father-in-law and my 68-year-old mother-in-law as office staff.” Today, the company has around 20 employees, including four master craftsmen.
From roller shutters to outdoor living
SUW Berger’s business began with the sale of building elements. In 1998, with the takeover by master roller shutter and blind maker Meinhard Berger and his wife Marina Berger, the company developed into a craftsman’s business for sun and weather protection technology. However, today’s range of services encompasses far more than just craftsmanship. “Our core business is roofing and shading,” explains Berger. “However, customers today expect more than just shading or roofing. They want a service provider that offers them everything from a single source. Over the years, we have therefore developed into experts in the fields of energy consulting, outdoor living, smart living and helpful living.” The company’s projects are very well-known: SUW Berger recently provided shade for O2 SURFTOWN MUC and is currently working on the Bayerischer Hof, reports Berger.
However, the work has become much more complex over the years. “Due to advancing digitalization and the desire to implement this in our own homes, there are now many interfaces that need to be taken into account. Installing a blind is much more difficult today than it was 20-30 years ago,” says Berger. “But we have 2-3 new apprentices every year and train our staff accordingly,” he adds.
Sustainability as a corporate value
Sustainability is a particular concern for Meinhard Berger. “We firmly believe in repairing,” he emphasizes. “Buying goods and throwing them away after a few years of use is neither in the interests of the customer nor the environment. A lot needs to change legally in this respect. But we don’t want to wait for that. That’s why we help our customers with repairs. That was already the philosophy of my parents-in-law, who founded this business,” explains Berger. SUW Berger repairs windows, replaces motors and advises its customers on whether the repair is worthwhile.
Smart home and energy efficiency
SUW Berger has also established itself in the smart home sector. “A good smart home is one that I don’t know I have. It works perfectly and is 100% needs-oriented,” says Berger. The company also offers Helpful Living solutions for people with disabilities, which enable the operation of home technology with simple sounds or movements.
Berger is particularly convinced by his products and their energy efficiency: “At the moment, everyone is talking about heating. But what people are forgetting: Due to global warming, we should already be talking much more about cooling. Countries where it gets particularly hot areconsuming more and moreCO2 from air conditioning systems. This exacerbates the fundamental problem. With a sunshade, however, the temperature can be lowered by 8-9 degrees without using air conditioning. We need to talk more about these solutions.”
Innovation in outdoor living
With Berger-Concepts, the company is breaking new ground in the outdoor living sector. “Here, too, we offer our customers everything from a single source,” explains Berger. His company relies on high-quality materials, mainly from Italy. “We source most of our outdoor furniture from Italian dealers. They are much more design-conscious, of very high quality and more sustainable. One of our Italian partners even grows the pine wood he uses for his furniture himself. This results in local products that travel short distances to us.”
SUW Berger: Rooted in Hallbergmoos
Although Meinhard Berger will retire from operational business next year, SUW Berger will remain a family business. His two sons, master craftsmen in sun protection and glazing, will take over the business. “They combine two areas that are essential for us,” says Berger.
The company also wants to remain loyal to the municipality of Hallbergmoos and the craftsmen’s village in the Munich Airport Business Park. “We are very happy with the municipality of Hallbergmoos. We think the craftsmen’s village here at Munich Airport Business Park is great. Hallbergmoos is a place with a heart, where people help each other,” emphasizes Berger.
With full order books, the company plans to continue growing here. “As things stand today, we could already take on 4-6 new employees,” says Berger. The company focuses primarily on training young people. “Many of our current employees have either remained loyal to us or have come back after temporary positions. That shows a high level of satisfaction – both with the company and the location,” explains the Managing Director. Whether surfing at O2 SURFTOWN MUC or other team activities: He can still inspire all his employees in Hallbergmoos.
Images (c) SUW Berger GmbH
