Where extraordinary ideas become reality.
6,000 m² of manufacturing expertise under one roof
With over 6,000 m² of production space, we consolidate all manufacturing steps at a single location in the Münsterland region. From design and surface treatment to final assembly, we carry out complex projects entirely in-house.
The physical separation of our production areas creates optimal conditions for each stage of processing and ensures efficient workflows and consistently high quality.
For large-scale art and special projects, there is also a dedicated art gallery where mock-ups and customized tests can be carried out.
65 steelworkers and 8 trainees
We are "The Steel People" - a team that is passionate and committed to working with stainless steel.
Many of our employees have been with us since the company’s early days. Numerous trainees also remain part of our team after completing their training—a sign of trust, teamwork, and mutual respect.
Together, we develop solutions that go far beyond the norm and enable our customers around the world to achieve exceptional results.
Everything from a single source
3D design by our in-house designers
Precise 3D measurements using state-of-the-art scanning technology
Photorealistic Visualization of Complex Projects
8 large-format CNC milling machines for a wide variety of materials
CNC Grinding and Polishing Systems for Distortion-Free Mirror Surfaces
In-house forming, rolling, pressing, and bending
Patented Manufacturing Processes
In-house development of surfaces and structures
In-house PVD coating
30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
1994
Thomas Reining manufactures his first stainless steel products as a sole proprietor with the company affix "Steelworks by TR"
1996
Merger with Uli Meerkötter, foundation of Reining & Meerkötter GbR in Rhedebrügge; Marc Meerkötter already supports the production as a student
1998
Relocation to Heinrich-Hertz-Straße in Borken and recruitment of the first employees
2002
Training of the 1st apprentice Dennis Fellerhoff (our current workshop foreman)
2003
First Airbus A-380 handrails for Emirates and Lufthansa are built in Borken
2005
Uli's son Marc joins Steelworks as a master metalworker
2007
Change of name to Steelworks GmbH & Co. KG
2008
New building and move into the main hall at Lise-Meitner-Straße 20 in Borken
2008
VW Autostadt Premium Club House
2009
Entry into the yachting scene with first yacht building interior projects after the economic crisis
2011
Entry into the international art scene
2014
Marc Meerkötter becomes a limited partner and officially joins the management team
2020
Creation of major art projects during the Covid-19 period "The Hive" and "Eye of the North"
2023
Uli Meerkötter resigns as limited partner
An article that appeared in the Borkener Zeitung in 2017 as part of the series. "KÖPFE: Founders, owners and decision-makers in the region".
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"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."
Stainless steel design objects
When passion creates something new: We were so inspired by our projects that our Mirroc® brand was born.
Mirroc® brings our design objects made of mirror-polished stainless steel into the living rooms of design lovers all over the world.
Because we want to make the perfection and uniqueness of our craft tangible and accessible to as many people as possible.
Our values
TEAMWORK
We live and breathe teamwork! Not only through our family working environment internally, but also through the close cooperation with our customers. We know that: Together we achieve the best results.
PRECISION AND ACCURACY
Absolute precision and exact processing: We are precise when it comes to the assembly of stainless steel parts and material quality. This makes us one of the strongest partners for mirror-polished surfaces worldwide.
TOP QUALITY SOLUTIONS
We implement your ideas and wishes - and often create innovations as a result. 30 years of experience have shown us: We find solutions. And in the best possible quality.
