Company history
The roots: traditional craftsmanship
District Huellhorst. It all began in 1923 when Karl Grothe founded a joinery and started processing wood on 173, Niedringhausener street. As a master carpenter, he manufactured pieces of furniture, as a cartwright, he produced wheels and barrels.
In 1953, his son Willi, like his father, a master carpenter by trade, entered the family business at the age of 28. From that time on, Grothe & Son were to produce furniture, windows, and doors until 1954, the year when Karl Grothe was to celebrate his 59th anniversary.
On that occasion, the father put the business in the hands of his son. The following years saw above all the production of limba wood door panelings.
The 1964 upturn period fueled the strive for expansion. A new, bigger workshop was erected near the small carpentry building, and in 1974, a second expansion was to follow. The small company flourished and could employ up to seven workmen.
picture: Karl Grothe (third from left) and Willi Grothe (left) with carpenters and apprentices in 1952
1980 to 2000
The 1980s required the search for new, sought-after products. Finally, the production of solid wooden cutting boards turned out to be a niche. The company headed for the kitchen industry where the demand emerged.
Representing the family's 3rd generation, Uwe Stratmann, son-in-law of Willi Grothe, became the company's managing director in 1991. In the course of the nineties, the production began to focus exclusively on supplying the kitchen furniture industries. Decorative strips (molding), cutlery inserts, and wooden display cases got manufactured.
In 2001, a countrywide economical crisis touching the kitchen industries in particular tended to carry away joint branches. Thus, concerned by payment shortfall on the part of some of her major customers, the Stratmann company had to declare insolvency.
2001 - Setting out for new shores
Between 2001 and 2004, a society in transition was founded, and Stratmann could carry on supplying some of her most faithful customers.
In 2004, Patrick Stratmann, great-grandson of Karl Grothe, founded the company stratmann wooden cutlery inserts and became the management director. Still in command of a sound customer base, he proved an entrepreneur's spirit. He instigated a valid company policy, developed strategies to follow and succeeded in recruiting his first employees after only a short period of time.
The strategic focus on a niche product and 15 years of development work have turned to pay off. High-quality products and touchable working efficiency are always appreciated by Stratmann's customers.
Traditional craftsmanship conquers modern sales channels
In the early 2000s, Stratmann decides to inaugurate an online shop which is paying off since.
Nowadays, stratmann wooden cutlery inserts is a trusted supplier of handcrafted wooden cutlery inserts and other drawer furnishings and enjoys high reputation throughout Germany and neighboring markets.