Some truck drivers have their doubts as they wind their way over country roads to Krämer Brennteile. The idyllic countryside surrounding the farm in the Black Forest is more reminiscent of a vacation area. But you would search   in vain for a hotel — or cattle, for that matter. Instead you will find a substantial manufactory for sheet metal processing. In addition to a flame cutting machine, a TruLaser 1030 has found space in the outbuildings. In spite of a classic vocational education in agriculture, Martin Krämer did not work as a farmer for long, “because there wasn’t enough money in it,” he recalls. As a result he started doing jobs at construction sites, in advertising, and finally worked his way up to production manager in a sheet metal processing shop. Nine years ago he decided to hang out his shingle. “I had always assumed so much responsibility. At some point I realized, ‘You can do this yourself !’ ” No sooner said than done! The farm equipment was cleared out in 2001 and Krämer invested in a flame cutting machine.

This daring initiative paid off. Krämer Brennteile grew quickly, even though the company’s founder never did any active advertising. “On the first day in business I called up a few companies I knew and told them I had opened my   own shop. That’s all.” Krämer’s approach is simple. He turns out short production runs quickly and reliably. But Krämer’s team is not made up solely of metalworkers. Two masons and two carpenters work steel on the farm and seven part-timers land a hand when needed. They all know about flexibility in their working hours. It’s usually a matter of getting the work out when it’s on hand. “Sometimes a shift can last ten or fourteen hours,” explains the boss. Word of the company’s willingness to pitch in has gotten around. Today the farm serves 170 customers in the region. Krämer’s clientele is widely diversified. Among them are vehicle manufacturers and mechanical engineering companies, but also small fitter’s shops and tradesmen.