Piepenbrock wins new tender for Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle

Piepenbrock continues to handle maintenance, glass, and special cleaning in the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle. (Image: Elbphilharmonie, Maxim Schulz)

Since August 2016, Piepenbrock has been responsible for maintenance, glass, and special cleaning at the Hamburg Laeiszhalle. After the construction of the Elbphilharmonie, additional cleaning services were added there in early 2017. In both buildings, the family-owned company from Osnabrück will continue to be in use for the next three years: Piepenbrock decided to bid for the re-tendering starting July 1, 2023.

With the Elbphilharmonie, the new landmark of the Hanseatic city, and the Laeiszhalle, the city of Hamburg offers two concert halls for special musical experiences. The versatile program includes not only concerts but also readings, lectures, and workshops. When it comes to the clean and well-maintained appearance of its buildings, the commissioning Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle operating company mbH (ELBG) relies on the proven cooperation with Piepenbrock. "As part of the re-tendering process, we are reorganizing our cleaning concept in close consultation with the customer. We appreciate the trust placed in us and look forward to continuing our collaboration," says Gerlinde Schüle, branch manager at Piepenbrock in Hamburg and Kiel.

Complete cleaning package for concert visitors

Piepenbrock continues to be active in the Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle with maintenance, glass, and special cleaning. Before each event, the Piepenbrock team makes the concert halls shine – from five in the morning until late evening. "We receive a monthly preview for rough personnel planning as well as a weekly schedule with our specific assignments. These are precisely coordinated with the program of the concert halls," explains Roman Hanel, Technical Director at Piepenbrock in Hamburg. During concerts, daily staff ensure cleanliness in the spectator and sanitary areas in the background. In the Elbphilharmonie, a housekeeper takes care of the artists' dressing rooms backstage. At scheduled intervals, the Piepenbrock team cleans the public areas of both concert halls, including offices and traffic areas. In glass cleaning, daily staff remove fingerprints from the interior glass surfaces of the Elbphilharmonie. Twice a year, Piepenbrock also performs a thorough cleaning of these surfaces. In the Laeiszhalle, they take over the entire interior and exterior glass cleaning, including the glass roofs. During the annual summer break without concerts, ELBG commissions Piepenbrock for special cleaning. Recently, the cleaning staff took care of the parquet floor in the Great Hall of the Elbphilharmonie and cleaned 500 hand-blown ceiling lamps in an ultrasonic bath.

Sustainable foundation for further cooperation

On the topic of sustainability, the partners adhere to their previous projects "Tüte weg – Umwelt check!" ("Take away the bag – Environmental check!") and "Ecological Weed Control." In the Elbphilharmonie, Piepenbrock completely avoids disposable trash bags in many areas. The building service provider eradicates weeds there without chemicals, using a hot water and hot foam process. The partnership between the concert hall operator and Piepenbrock has grown over the years: "We work well together and maintain regular personal contact. Our site manager is on-site every day and alternates between the Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle. She is informed of issues via radio and can respond immediately," says Hanel. Jörn Fischer, contact person for cleaning matters in the Quality Management of the Elbphilharmonie, appreciates the cooperation with Piepenbrock: "We have a good, established partnership and look forward to continued successful collaboration." Hanel also looks to the future with optimism: "Our teams are well-trained and familiar with the specifics of the properties – good foundations on which we can build during the reorganization of our concept."