by HJ HOLTZ | May 3, 2016 | Newsletter
Richmond Family-Owned Painting Business Celebrates 80 Years
Going strong, even though only 12% of family businesses make it to third generation.
RICHMOND, VA, May 3, 2016 – Richmond’s leading painting company, H.J Holtz & Son, recently celebrating its 80th year in business.
Established in April of 1936 by Herman J. Holtz, H.J. Holtz & Son is one of the city’s longest running family businesses – spanning three generations. For three and a half decades, Herman ran a successful company providing residential and commercial painting and wall papering services to the Richmond community. Following his retirement in 1971, his son Richard L. Holtz, Sr. took the baton and focused on building a reputation of high quality work and superior customer service.
Herman passed away in 2003 but his legacy lives on. The company is now led by his grandson, Richard Holtz, Jr, who joined the business in 1994. He has built on his predecessors’ work by adding new dimensions such as digital photography, decorative finishes and advanced equipment for painting and paint removal. The young Holtz has also extended the company’s borders by initiating relationships with contractors in Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, and Tappahannock, VA.
Eighty years in business is a significant milestone for any company, especially one that is family-run. In fact, according to a survey conducted by Family Business Institute, only 30% of family businesses last into a second generation and only 12% remain viable into a third.
Richard Holtz, Jr, President of the company, said: “I am honored to be involved in this company as we cross 80 years. We have wonderful customers who have trusted us with their homes and have referred their friends. We have really been led by our customers and design partners. We’ve listened to what they have wanted – like unique looks through faux finishes, unconventional uses of wallpaper, and high-quality paints – and have worked hard to gain the right skills.”
H.J. Holtz & Son prides itself on its great customer service and professionalism. Over the years, the company has gained more than a hundred awards for their outstanding work. Among them is the prestigious Pip Award for Residential Interior and the Best of Houzz Award for service, which the company won two years in a row.
Since the days of Herman J. Holtz, the company has expanded its services beyond wall papering and painting to now include decorative floors, cabinet painting, wall graphics, murals and faux finishes. And with eight decades of experience, there’s hardly an obstacle or request they have not encountered. As a result of their expertise and commitment to quality services, the company boasts a long list of satisfied customers. One client said: “Transforming a 1954 neglected Cape Cod into a tastefully updated home would require an eye for detail and a well-engineered plan. As part of the exterior and interior renovations, we interviewed H. J. Holtz for the entire painting contract. Extensive photographic and inspection prep work was documented in detail and photographed prior to offering a proposal. We knew down to the front door paint what to expect and the timing and for start/completion schedule. The result is spectacular. Prep, repair and paint concerns were all addressed to perfection. An utter metamorphosis.”
The future looks bright for H.J. Holtz & Son and as they continue to improve their services, there is no doubt that 80 years in business is just the beginning. To learn more about us, just complete the contact form below!
by HJ HOLTZ | Jan 13, 2016 | Newsletter
Second generation owners as well as longest-standing employee retire after a combined 157 years with the well-respected company.
Richmond, VA: H.J. Holtz & Son, Inc. recently celebrated the retirement of Richard and Geny Holtz, the 2nd generation owners of the business founded in 1936, as well as Charlie Herbert, a key employee and foreman who has been with the company since 1962. Combined, these three account for over 150 years of experience not just in the industry, but with this one family-run company.
The husband and wife team of Richard and Geny ran the business from their home starting in 1971 when Richard took over for his father Herman, before moving to their current location in 2002. While the management reins were handed to their son Rick in 2008, the couple has remained involved and supportive so the company wouldn’t miss a beat with clients and partners.
Under their guidance the well-respected painting and wallpapering operation became appreciated as residential specialists capable of excellent work and attention to detail. Interior designers and other professionals took notice and learned that entrusting their clients to H.J. Holtz & Son was invariably a wise move. Relationships with partners established during their 37 years of management persist to this day.
Meanwhile, Charlie Herbert served as a key employee and foreman throughout his 53 years of service to the company and its clients. “He’s the only employee to have worked for all three generations of management and is the one who taught me how to paint,” explained Rick Holtz, the current President. “He has been a model employee and leader, epitomizing what we teach our staff.” For that reason, the award we give out to honor a stellar employee each month has been called the “Charlie Herbert Employee of the Month Award” since its inception.
“We are able to survive the retirement of my parents and Charlie because all three worked hard to instill their values into the DNA of the organization. We’re thriving and have them to thank,” stated Rick Holtz.
About H.J. Holtz & Son. Founded in 1936, H.J Holtz & Son, Inc., Painting, Papering, and Decorative Finishes is an award-winning full service residential painting, faux finishing and wallpapering contractor specializing in meeting the needs of discriminating homeowners through exceptional craftsmanship and customer service. From faux painting furniture to hanging hand-painted wallpaper to simply painting the exterior of a home, our qualified craftsmen can fulfill nearly every decorative need.
by HJ HOLTZ | Jun 10, 2015 | Newsletter
ONE OF THE LONGEST CONTINUOUSLY-RUNNING PAINTING COMPANIES IN VIRGINIA CELEBRATES ANOTHER MILESTONE
Third generation President, Rick Holtz, celebrates 20 years with the company that his grandfather founded in 1936.
Richmond, VA: Rick Holtz, President of H.J. Holtz & Son, Inc. Painting, Wallpapering and Specialty Finishes, recently celebrated 20 years with the company that his grandfather founded. “Working in the family business has been very rewarding. I started out on jobs, then managing the crews, then developing relationships with our clients and partners,” he said.
During his tenure, Rick has guided the business through some dramatic changes. For one, the company moved from his Grandfather’s shop into a commercial space, then into a building of its own. “That building we bought, which we still occupy today, had a large spray room, giving us the ability to expand our services to include furniture painting,” Rick commented. In recent years the use of that room has increased, necessitating the purchase of a second spray booth due to arrive this summer.
As new techniques and technologies have become available, the company has not just kept up, but has become the go-to painting contractor in Richmond for unique and challenging projects. “Bringing extremely talented people into the business – and into the family so to speak – has allowed us to add capabilities like specialty finishes while continuing to delight our clients.”
In the coming year, H.J. Holtz & Son, Inc. will be celebrating another milestone – 80 years in business.
About H.J. Holtz & Son. Founded in 1936, H.J Holtz & Son, Inc., Painting, Papering, and Decorative Finishes is an award-winning full service residential painting, faux finishing and wallpapering contractor specializing in meeting the needs of discriminating homeowners through exceptional craftsmanship and customer service. From faux painting furniture to hanging hand-painted wallpaper to simply painting the exterior of a home, our qualified craftsmen can fulfill nearly every decorative need.
by HJ HOLTZ | Feb 18, 2015 | Newsletter
RICK HOLTZ SELECTED AS PANELIST AT ANNUAL PDCA CONFERENCE
President of Richmond Company Featured by National Painting and Decorating Group
Richmond, VA: Rick Holtz, President of H.J. Holtz & Son, Inc., will be serving on an expert panel of painting and decorating leaders from around the U.S. at the upcoming Painting and Decorating Expo taking place in Charleston, SC March 4th through the 7th. The Expo is hosted by the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA), the premier association for the painting industry. Founded in 1936, H.J. Holtz & Son is a Richmond-area institution, having served literally generations of local residents through painting, wall papering and decorative finishes projects.
“We’ve been a long-time supporter of the PDCA chapter here in the Richmond area. It’s nice to also get national recognition for the quality of our work and contribution to the organization,” said Holtz. The PDCA is devoted to constantly improving the technical and business practices of its members. Not only does H.J. Holtz & Son participate as a member company, they lead a local charity effort to refurbish the home of a Richmond-based family in need each year. That project is getting underway now.
“Rick was a natural selection for the expert panel that will wrap up our 2015 conference,” explained Nigel Costolloe, President of Catchlight Painting and a current Director of the PDCA. “Our members benefit when they get to hear from someone like Rick who is not only running a successful company, but continuing to expand and improve the level of service they provide their clients.”
Rick and several members of the H.J. Holtz & Son team will be attending the conference in order to learn about the latest techniques and newest products so they can apply that knowledge to client projects in 2015.
About H.J. Holtz & Son. Founded in 1936, H.J Holtz & Son, Inc., Painting, Papering, and Decorative Finishes is an award-winning full service residential painting, faux finishing and wallpapering contractor specializing in meeting the needs of discriminating homeowners through exceptional craftsmanship and customer service. From faux painting furniture to hanging hand-painted wallpaper to simply painting the exterior of a home, our qualified craftsmen can fulfill nearly every decorative need.
by HJ HOLTZ | Dec 16, 2014 | Newsletter
Fall 2013 Newsletter
by HJ HOLTZ | Nov 30, 2014 | Newsletter
Faux bois is the French term for ‘false wood.’ The faux bois paint technique is used on old painted furniture or painted woodwork, and it mimics the look of real wood. This technique is absolutely perfect if you want to update your current furniture with a more rustic, earthy wood grain without having to run out and buy new items. We’ve had a lot of interest from clients at H.J. Holtz and Son about this elegant, beautiful technique!
What Surfaces Can Faux Bois be Applied To?
A faux bois paint technique can be used on any smooth, paintable surface. Walls, furniture and home decor accessories can all be transformed using faux bois. Most commonly, our clients choose faux bois for old furniture or woodwork. When you look at something made from wood and then add a painted faux bois surface, an entirely new design can be created that is rustic or sophisticated.
The faux bois paint technique can also be used on wood trim around windows or doors. Again, this is a wonderful way to refurbish old woodwork, give it an updated look and keep it consistent with the rest of the home.
Affordable, Elegant and Beautiful
The advantage to faux bois is that it saves clients from having to purchase new furniture when re-decorating the home. Imagine how much money you can save by keeping the furniture and wood trim yet completing your home renovation project?
Faux bois painting can be done on your own using a base coat and the color of your choice for the “grain” part. You will also need a wood grain rocker to create a grain pattern. If you’re not particularly DIY savvy but would love to have your furniture painted the faux bois way, let H.J. Holtz and Son help. We are experienced in this style of painting and have successfully worked on many pieces of furniture. The details matter, and we know how to deliver a finished product that rivals real wood – elegant yet natural. We offer faux bois painting on wood furniture, trim, doors and windows.
Our clients love this easy, affordable option for warming up their home without having to purchase new furniture. Our painting pros will work closely with you to choose the best colors for the application – there are so many options with faux bois!
