Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle : C 32 | additional magazine | Kretzschmar & Silber | subcontracting

Things have become quiet lately around automotive suppliers. As a result, Kretzschmar & Silber Fertigungstechnik GmbH has experienced an 80 per cent change in its customer base. Should the dormant clients become active again, the subcontractor has taken sufficient precautions - by investing in a C 32 U from Hermle during the Covid-19 lockdown. This provides more capacity besides making the company more flexible.

Kretzschmar & Silber Fertigungstechnik GmbH's outward appearance could be referred to as subdued and low key. Until recently, the company's website only read "Our website will soon be available", without any mention of the successful subcontractor's address. On the outside of the building, only an approximately A3-size sign featuring the initials K and S in green on an anthracite background indicates who is busy working behind the aluminium-framed glass doors. As Ulrich Silber later explains, this is not down to a particular reason or whatever but simply to a previous lack of necessity. He founded the company based in Knittlingen, about 20 km north of Pforzheim, with Thiemo Kretzschmar roughly four years ago.

"It's interesting what can actually develop from an idea sketched on the back of a beer mat," Thiemo Kretzschmar says during a cigarette break. Silber's former work colleague is referring to how the company came into existence: Back then, both founders were employed by toolmakers and were unable to find a satisfactory solution for the secure and precise clamping of components measuring over 400 millimetres. "Together we developed a clamping device and patented it," Ulrich Silber explains. At the same time, they rented space in the workshop that now belongs to them fully. The first machine, a C 250 U from Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AG, is still located in the same spot and, as Silber says, "continues to work reliably". The two developers sold their idea last year but retained their traditional subcontracting practices.

Since 2017, Thiemo Kretzschmar and Ulrich Silber have been milling prototypes, individual parts and small volume orders for automotive suppliers, machine manufacturers and tool makers on five machining centres. In addition to one full-time employee, they have organised a pool of competent temporary staff, thereby enabling them to respond flexibly to every order situation.