A name that became a brand and life’s work.
We look back over the years from 1976 to 2026.
The fact that Richard Brink used his own name from day one to represent both the company and its products says a lot about the founder’s aspirations. For him, one thing was clear: anything bearing his name had to be well thought out, high quality and credible. Products that nobody had to hide behind – whether standard solutions or individual custom-made products. Today, 50 years later, this aspiration has evolved into a life’s work.
How do you go from being a one-man operation in the home garage to a family-run company spanning two generations that is recognised across the industry? With patience, passion, creativity, perseverance – and people who support one another.
What began in a garage in Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock gradually developed into a medium-sized business established within the construction industry.
Our founder Richard Brink, a trained car-body manufacturer, had the necessary technical know-how – and he knew he could always rely on his wife Annegret should he ever be short on energy or time.
Today, all key processes, from design to construction right over to sales and marketing, are handled in-house. The generational change in management in 2006/2007 signalled a transition not only in personnel but also into the digital era. A dozen members of staff grew to over 160; production processes became automated, structures developed to meet demands.
The company’s growth went hand in hand with a continuous expansion of its product range. The original metalworking shop started out by making decorative products such as weather vanes and wrought iron, until the first chimney caps extended the assortment in 1982. Edge profiles were then produced as of 1996, following the company’s relocation to its present headquarters.
Gravel stops and additional drainage and dewatering systems, now our largest product group, were added in the 2000s. Planting systems also found their way into the company portfolio as an entirely new product line a decade later, while the area of heavy-duty drainage was substantially expanded in 2016 with the production of concrete channels.
This also gave rise to a broader customer base: from roofers to landscape gardeners right over to road builders and civil engineers. At the same time, international markets were opening up in Europe: a development only made possible by many small elements clicking into place – at the right time, with the right people.
The trained car mechanic Richard Brink and his wife Annegret decide to found a smithery business. In the home garage in Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock, goods such as wrought iron and other decorative products are manufactured to begin with.
Richard Brink produces its first chimney caps on the back of a customer order. He notices that most chimney heads are in a rather dilapidated condition and develops a shuttering frame that can be filled with concrete. This flawlessly brings together the chimney, the chimney head and the cover – without the need for drilling or plugging.
Next, the company moves into a leased industrial hall on Siemensweg. The first two employees are also hired.
The company presents its product portfolio for the first time at the international trade exhibition for roofing, building and sealing technologies in Stuttgart. After all, company founder Richard Brink was aware early on that he had to showcase and promote his products if he was to be successful, in line with the motto “You can’t sell what you don’t show”.
Next came the company’s move to today’s site at Görlitzer Strasse 1. The company’s first building on the premises initially covered an area of 1,200 square metres.
After edge profiles are added to the in-house assortment in 1998, the first plant expansion ensues, resulting in the business address still used today: Görlitzer Strasse 1-5. As the area of sheet metal working developed, gravel stops paved the way towards drainage and dewatering technologies. Moreover, the first edging solutions, which later give rise to planting systems as a standalone product category, are already leaving the factory at this point in time.
At the turn of the year from 2006 to 2007, the company founder’s hope of passing the family-run company to the next generation becomes a reality. Stefan, Matthias and Sebastian Brink assume this responsibility as executive partners, while Richard Brink himself continues to support the company as shareholder.
Over the next few years, the signs continue to point towards growth. The result: a new production space spanning over 2,000 square metres is initially constructed in 2013. In 2016, as the company celebrates its 40th anniversary, another hall complex is added, boosting space by a further 2,400 square metres.
Drainage and dewatering systems have become the company’s largest product group by far. This area is consequently developed further, with a new material finding its way into the Richard Brink assortment alongside metal: a proprietary production line for concrete channels is commissioned in the area of heavy-duty drainage.
The company premises is extended as far as the streets Kaunitzer and Ostritzer Strasse, which also enables the foundations to be laid for the new two-storey production hall and warehouse, boasting a footprint of 3,400 square metres. Together with the adjoining office wing, the space is put into operation just ahead of the company’s 50th anniversary. At the same time, delivery traffic is eased and new parking facilities created.
In 2026, the company Richard Brink is celebrating 50 years of business after having established itself in the market over these past five decades as an expert for metalware production. From product development and construction through manufacturing right up to advice and sales, all processes are taken care of in-house by a workforce of over 160 members of staff.
One sentence has stayed with the company since day one:
Many things have changed – the dimensions, the technology, the possibilities. And yet the company has remained exactly the same at its core.
It always has been and always will be concerned with the question of how to resolve challenges in the building industry more easily, practically and holistically. Being “simply better” is not a mere marketing promise, but a guiding principle.
What once began with custom-made, wrought-iron products still shapes the way the company perceives itself today: a large proportion of products can be manufactured as bespoke solutions. This ability to adapt our goods to individual specifications is what the company has become best known for over the years.
experience as a metal products manufacturer in the construction industry
Everything from production to sales and distribution is handled by us in-house in Germany
produced by us on-site as standard stock items or custom-made products
Stefan Brink
Managing Director
Together with his brothers Sebastian and Matthias, Stefan Brink assumed management of the company at the turn of 2006/2007. New production spaces, modern machinery and a conscious awareness of the company’s roots shape their daily work.
The three brothers were involved in the business even as teenagers: at the drill press, placing the first mailshots in envelopes, taking in the day-to-day running of a family enterprise. The workshop formed part of the home, the kitchen acted as the conference room – and this kind of family cooperation still characterises the company today.
There is a great amount of pride in everything that has been achieved. Greater still is the aspiration not to lose sight of the company’s origins. Maintaining customers’ trust for over five decades is incentive enough to continue along this path.
Fifty years of company history takes more than the effort of individuals.
We are grateful to our customers, suppliers, service providers and everyone else who has accompanied us along the way – above all, our colleagues.
This development would never have been possible were it not for their commitment, their ideas and their loyalty.
We cordially invite you to join us for our open day in our big anniversary year. On Saturday 20 June 2026, we would like to celebrate with interested visitors, customers and members of staff alike.
Especially apt for our 50th celebration, we will inaugurate our new building and offer tours around our production site.
We look forward to a wonderful celebration and many years ahead with you!
