Master carpenter Ralf Schröder: Tradition and innovation from Brande-Hörnerkirchen!

Master carpenter Ralf Schröder: Tradition and innovation from Brande-Hörnerkirchen!

Ralf Schröder's carpentry workshop has a long tradition in Brande-Hörnerkirchen. The family business was founded in 1977 by his father Peter and is now being run by the second generation. Ralf Schröder himself can look back on 30 years of professional experience. Even as a child he knew that he wanted to become a carpenter, so he joined the company at the age of 18 after obtaining his master's certificate at the age of 24. He officially took over the business in 1996, and since then the carpentry business has continued to develop and grow.

Today the carpentry shop employs twelve journeymen and trainees who work both in the private sector and for commercial customers. Ralf Schröder is responsible for acquiring orders and managing them, while his wife takes care of the accounting. However, the company has suffered some setbacks in the past, including a hacker attack that cost valuable data. Fortunately, Schröder had also archived all invoices on paper, which helped him at this critical time.

A turbulent past

The Peter Schröder carpentry business began as a one-man business on Lindenstrasse and grew over the years. In 1988 the company was transformed into the construction and furniture carpentry Peter Schröder GmbH, and in 1996 Ralf Schröder was able to take over the business, which led to a renewed upswing. In 2009, the company invested in a modern processing center for window construction, which was replaced by an automated, energy-efficient model in 2020. These investments in modern technologies have contributed to the long-term stability of the company and allow it to offer regionally manufactured windows and doors.

Training apprentices plays an important role in carpentry. They gain deeper insights into modern woodworking techniques and benefit from the company's many years of experience, which has now established itself as a national partner for carpentry work. Despite the changes, personal contact with customers remains of great importance to Ralf Schröder. In times when customer behavior is changing and digitalization is necessary, proximity to customers is essential - he is grateful for the demanding customers with whom he reaches successful agreements.

Challenges in craftsmanship

The trade, like Schröder carpentry, is facing major challenges due to digitalization. The industry must constantly adapt in order to survive in competition. As handwerkconnected.de explains, craft businesses must position themselves as modern employers in order to attract young talent. Funding opportunities from the federal government and chambers of crafts help drive digital transformation forward.

Ralf Schröder, who is also deputy head of the Pinneberg district carpenters' guild, has not only taken care of the interests of his company over the years, but also of social commitment. His family and his volunteer work give him support and stability, even in difficult times. He also maintains his fitness - fifteen marathons, including in cities such as Hamburg, Mallorca, London and New York, testify to his endurance.

The Schröder carpentry workshop is not only an example of craftsmanship success, but also a sign of how important traditional craftsmanship remains in a rapidly changing world. With one foot in the past and one eye on the future, Ralf Schröder shows that craftsmanship is still very popular today.