From Blue Coat to Comprehensive Company Service
Interview with Anna-Elisabeth Hackl, Managing Director of Ahrens Textil-Service GmbH
Work clothing poses many challenges for companies – from procurement and maintenance to repairs and logistics. DBL Ahrens from Elmshorn, a fifth-generation family business and part of the nationwide DBL group, offers full-service leasing for work clothing. Managing Director Anna-Elisabeth Hackl explains how consulting, equipment, maintenance, and logistics are handled, ensuring that teams can always appear professional and customers are noticeably relieved.
Wirtschaftsforum: Ms. Hackl, workwear means a lot of effort for companies. DBL Ahrens relieves them of this effort and offers full-service leasing. Why does this concept work so well?
Anna-Elisabeth Hackl: Because workwear is more than just fabric and needle. It has an impact on the image, it strengthens employee loyalty – and it causes a lot of organizational effort in everyday life. Cleanliness, repairs, size changes, logistics: all this needs to be taken care of by someone. Our approach is: workwear should relieve, not burden. That's why we offer a comprehensive package that includes consultation and equipment, care, repair, and replacement, as well as a pickup and delivery service. For our clients, this means: they can focus on their core business, while we take care of the rest.
Wirtschaftsforum: For which industries is your service interesting, and where are the greatest benefits for the customers?
Anna-Elisabeth Hackl: Our offer is aimed at almost all sectors – from crafts businesses to supermarkets, nursing homes, and the hospitality industry to industrial companies. Anywhere employees need to appear in functional and uniform work clothing, our model makes sense. Even starting from three productive workers, the rental service is worth it, and for larger companies, it quickly becomes indispensable. The crucial advantage is in the relief it provides: Our customers get cost certainty because the leasing rate is independent of short-term market or interest rate fluctuations. At the same time, we take on all the organizational effort, from logistics to repairs and replacements to storage systems in the changing rooms. Thus, workwear becomes a true product-service system that creates space and provides security.
Wirtschaftsforum: Sustainability is a must for many companies. How is this topic implemented at DBL Ahrens?
Anna-Elisabeth Hackl: Sustainability is part of our business model. We work with a closed loop: clothing is procured, maintained, repaired, and - if possible - reused. We also have our own water treatment plant, which allows for resource-saving cycle operation. Our logistics are optimized to save fuel. Moreover, we ensure that our suppliers also act ecologically responsible. In the end, everyone benefits: the environment, our customers, and not least the durability of the textiles.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role do digitization and automation play?
Anna-Elisabeth Hackl: Important, but always with a sense of moderation. We deploy technology where it truly adds value: for better documentation, more efficient workflows and processes. However, the foundation remains personal contact. Automation should never be an end in itself – it is a tool for us to enhance our strengths and further improve our service.
Wirtschaftsforum: DBL Ahrens is a family business in its fifth generation. How does this tradition shape your daily life, and what path has Ahrens taken to date?
Anna-Elisabeth Hackl: This tradition has a strong impact on us. I grew up here, and it was my free choice to join the business. What drives me is the respect for the 130 years that lie behind us and the joy of being able to continue this legacy. Many of our employees have been with us for decades, which creates a culture of trust and reliability. The company was founded in 1895 by my great-great-grandmother in Elmshorn. Each generation had to face challenges, from wars and technological upheavals to the emergence of household washing machines. A decisive step was the specialization in professional clothing in the B2B sector, which began with the blue smock. In 1971, the founding of the DBL as a nationwide association with today 17 regional partners followed. This allowed us to grow without losing the proximity and regional focus towards our customers.
Wirtschaftsforum: What do you attribute your success to, and what vision do you pursue for the future?
Anna-Elisabeth Hackl: Our success is based on three pillars: people, competence, and personal commitment. We know what we are doing, and we do it with passion. For the future, it remains: We think long-term – for the next and the following generations. We view changes as opportunities. Our goal is to further relieve our customers, ensure sustainable growth, and make our values visible. And in all this, enjoying the work must not be missing. I like to say: finally Monday! Because I always look forward to developing the future of DBL Ahrens with our team and making life easier for our customers.