Status: 16.01.2024, 12:00 p.m.
By: Magdalena Höcherl
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Award-winning: 28-year-old Maximilian Weingartner from Au in der Hallertau is Upper Bavaria's best master tiler. © private
Upper Bavaria's best junior master tiler comes from Au: Maximilian Weingartner won this award. But he didn't really want her.
Au/Hallertau – At the beginning of December, the championship celebration took place on the IHK grounds in Munich-Riem. Maximilian Weingartner from Au had set off to be named Upper Bavaria's best tiler. But then the state capital sank into the snow – and the 28-year-old only found out in the parking lot that the event had been cancelled because of this. Grumpy at the time because he sacrificed a day of work for it, Weingartner now takes the whole thing with humor: "Somehow this degree fit well with the whole thing." Because he had never actually aspired to the title.
He thought the technician was enough
This is how it all happened: Some time ago, the tiler from Au wanted to start his own business. For this purpose, he had made the state-certified technician. "But although technician and master craftsman are officially equated, they said I had to show a master craftsman's certificate in order to get a license."
Gritting his teeth, Weingartner applied for a place as a master craftsman – "it didn't help". Fortunately, there was still exactly one place available. He studied for a good year, then passed the theory exam. The crowning glory: the masterpiece. The Auer built a cloakroom with tiled elements. "A bunch of editing, very detailed, with curves and recesses. Virtually everything that makes the craftsman's heart leap faster."
Hurdles in the masterpiece
However, the good mood vanished when he stood with his 18 comrades-in-arms in the workshops in Munich. The white aerated concrete blocks for his wardrobe were cut crookedly. Some of the stones were too thick, the others too narrow. "I stood there stupidly." He weighed his options and came to the conclusion: he has to make the best of it. "Actually, I'm a real hothead and a perfectionist. But I couldn't lose my nerve."
He took his motto almost literally: "If life puts obstacles in my way, I'll just build a house." Or in this case, a cloakroom. "I wanted nothing more than to pass this exam – to finally open my own business." So he cut back the too thick stones, filled the too narrow ones to the right thickness and then could finally really get started. "I was surprised that it worked out so well in the end and that I was the best of them all."
Of course, he is happy about the award itself, but even more important was the championship title. "On June 22, 2023, I received my registration number. A day later, I was standing at the church and registered my business."
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Tiling is Weingartner's passion. He has known this since he completed his first and only internship at the Knöferl family tile business in Au as a secondary school student. "Whether it's tiles, mosaics, bathrooms or natural stone work, I enjoy getting involved in projects, I'm passionate about creating something valuable and durable. It's great to see what you've done every day – to leave your mark on the world, so to speak."
He hopes to have his first apprentice in 2025
And it is set to get a little bigger in the future: In 2024, the aptitude test to become a stove fitter is still pending. He hopes to have his first apprentice in 2025. "And the very long-term plan is that you can also get a blueprint for an entire house from me." It's probably not utopian: "So far, I've always asserted my skull," says the 28-year-old and laughs.