"A small workshop in rural Rhedebrügge - this is where construction mechanic Thomas Reining started out in 1996 with lots of ideas in his head. His goal: to turn them into creative steel objects and try out new techniques in the process. "Doing things differently" was the basis for the successful development of the company and is still the driving force behind every Steelworker today.

The creative mechanic inspired his friend, metalworker Ulrich Meerkötter, with his ideas and together they forged plans and objects. They constructed and designed high-quality stainless steel objects - everything a house needs. Soon the time was ripe for a larger location.

Gradually, commercial customers also became aware of the creative workshop's unusual ideas. As a result, the focus shifted to the design and production of exclusive work for national and international customers for shopfitting and trade fair construction - from decorative trim to complex components, whether for Dior boutiques or the Toyota trade fair stand.

Ideas were flowing, business was booming, deadlines were pressing and the team was growing. "We didn't have to worry about new customers," says Managing Director Ulrich Meerkötter. During this time, the second generation also became infected with a passion for steel.

Marc Meerkötter was already shaping things out of scrap metal at a young age. He found his dream job when he trained as a master metalworker and joined the company.

The economic crisis caused a cutback. Orders in the shopfitting and trade fair construction sector declined, but the steelworkers used this as an opportunity. The creative minds finally found time to devote themselves to their original passion again: inventing innovative techniques for stainless steel processing and experimenting with shapes and surfaces to achieve unique visual effects.

"The results always lead to new techniques," explains Marc Meerkötter. Experimenting and finding perfection in the details - that is the challenge that drives the steelworkers. They design, plan and produce projects in 3D and realize the most spectacular ideas and revolutionary shapes.

In 2008, Steelworks moved into its new building - a hall that resembles an artist's studio on the inside. Around 65 employees work here today. One team uses specially developed, patented technology to manufacture stainless steel accessories for yachts such as the world's largest sailing ship, the "White Pearl", while others work on projects such as the exclusive mirror installations in the Premium Clubhouse at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg, and still others on staircase handrails for Airbus, logos and lettering or installations for internationally exhibiting artists.

Marc Meerkötter has also been part of the management team for two years. A harmonious triumvirate: Thomas Reining is the creative one, Ulrich Meerkötter the steady one, his son Marc the technician.

Together with their team, they live the passion for steel."