The last brush maker in Vienna: What saves the craft from extinction

Why the brush making trade hardly finds any new blood and Gerhard Duchacowner of the last brush making business in Vienna, still gave up his corporate job for it.

KURIER: In 1918, Hans Meier started his brush production. His son Norbert Meier took over the business in 1973. Mr. Duchac, you have been the new owner since November 2024 – how did that come about?

Gerhard Duchac: Love led me to brushes. My partner’s father is the last brush maker in Vienna. I learned the craft from him and am continuing it in the third generation, so to speak. Craftsmanship is a rare story. There are only a handful of them left in Austria.

You are currently the only one in Vienna: What does it feel like to be called the last brush maker?

On the one hand, it is an honor to still hold the flag high. On the other hand, people are also worried about the future. If I hadn’t taken over the business, the craft industry in Vienna would have died out. My father-in-law is the last person who can still do it in Vienna. The teaching profession no longer exists since 2007. So what happens next is a good question.

Why did you choose this career?

I studied business administration at the Vienna University of Economics and Business and later worked as operations manager in several production companies. Brush crafting is my second educational opportunity. I’m very happy about that. In large companies you are often just a number, in my company I am my own boss, have more freedom and can plan my day flexibly. That’s worth a lot.

You make hair brushes, nail brushes, shoe shine brushes and massage brushes – who are your customers?

Our main business is with technical brushes for industrial and commercial customers. Because brushes can be found in almost every production facility, e.g. B. for surface treatment. We also have a private customer shop with all the brushes you need in the household. We even offer restoration work, for example on old hairbrushes.

How long do you work on a brush?

With a classic hairbrush, half an hour goes by quickly. In this respect, you shouldn’t count the working hours at all. But that’s exactly what sets us apart: the quality. I sell a good work twice, a bad one only once. This is what sets us apart from the big retailers. Just like the advice. These two points have allowed us to survive on the market for decades.