The first step is the most important one
The foundation for our company was laid in 1998, when Jochen Blöcher took on a student job at an IT company alongside his studies. As a working student, he assembled computers, repaired equipment, handled installations, and managed server networks and small-to-medium-sized enterprises.
2007: The focus changed…
Our specialisation in the field of occupational safety was caused by a tragic accident involving an employee at one of our customers. The client's management then commissioned us to research the market to find out whether there was a software or certain solutions that ensured that employees were instructed in the handling of hazardous substances.
So, at that time we set out on a quest and conducted a market research for the client. By then, there were two manufacturers who offered something similar, but their products did not fit the requirements of a medium-sized company. As a result, we were given the task of developing a suitable product that would meet the requirements and that we could develop further and distribute ourselves later on.
… and eplas® emerged
Thus, from the beginning, we designed the product so that it would work for any company. Over the years, it continued to grow due to ever new requirements other customers had or due to legal specifications. Finally, eplas became so important to us that we disengaged from both network support and web design and have exclusively been concentrating on the software development of our occupational health and safety management solution for a few years now.
We opened our new company building in 2018, consciously creating space to foster genuine family-friendliness. The "Eulennest" childcare facility for children under the age of three was incorporated into the planning stage. By offering childcare close to the workplace, we help both our employees and external professionals balance their careers and family lives more easily. In doing so, we create practical, lasting support for families and make work-life balance part of everyday working life.
Mastering change while staying true to yourself
Today, our team comprises over 90 employees dedicated to software development, support, sales, consulting, software implementation, related services, and much more. We have grown organically.
It is no longer just about a single product; a range of complementary services has developed around our software. We advise companies on the digitization of their processes and guide them through the implementation of our software—always with a focus on seamlessly integrating requirements into daily workflows. Additionally, our academy offers seminars and training sessions on workplace health and safety.
To better illustrate the scope of our offerings, we have grouped our services under specific brands. Together, they form the *blöcher cooperation*—a strong partner for digitizing processes in occupational safety and human resources. Throughout this journey, we have remained true to our core values: practical solutions, personalized support, and a commitment to making complex requirements understandable and actionable.
What began as a response to a specific problem has evolved into a comprehensive product ecosystem representing modern HSE management. And we continue to innovate with new solutions and ideas.
