Sheet metal processing that is right from blank to assembly
August Bertrams GmbH is a family-owned company for sheet metal processing and sheet metal forming in contract manufacturing — since 1938. Cutting, punching, laser cutting, press braking, welding and surface finishing all come from a single source, from the smallest part to the welded assembly weighing 10 tonnes.
- 1,200 t of material per month
- ISO 9001 · EN 1090-2 · ISO 3834-2
- Plant in Thüringen · head office in Köln
What August Bertrams GmbH does
Sheet metal processing and sheet metal forming are among the core activities of August Bertrams GmbH at its Köln and Werra-Suhl-Tal locations. As a contract manufacturer, we handle the entire path for industrial customers, from the sheet metal blank to the ready-to-install, coated part — including engineering, production planning and quality documentation.
At our sheet metal processing centre in Werra-Suhl-Tal in Thüringen, we currently process around 1,200 tonnes of material per month; sales, order processing and administration are based at the head office in Köln. We use CNC punching machines, 3D lasers, CNC shears, 14 CNC press brakes as well as MIG, MAG, TIG, spot, stud and resistance welding equipment. Order processing, production planning and engineering run via our ERP, CAD and CAM systems.
We process structural steels, fine-grain structural steels and non-ferrous metals. Around 45 employees ensure that quality, precision and deadlines come together — run as a family-owned company since it was founded in 1938.
Why customers have Bertrams manufacture for them
Four reasons our customers mention time and again — and that make the difference between a supplier and a manufacturing partner.
Quality
All quality-relevant areas are governed by our QM system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001. No part leaves the plant unchecked.
Precision
Modern CNC technology from shear cutting to robotic welding ensures dimensionally accurate, reproducible parts — in series production too.
Consulting
We think from the finished part backwards and review your drawing for production-ready implementation before any chips fly.
Proximity
A dedicated contact person, two locations, short distances. You have a partner instead of a hotline.
Our manufacturing processes
Six processes under one roof — each with its real machine limits, so you know before you even submit your inquiry whether your part is a fit for us.
Cutting
Shear cutting in all structural steels, fine-grain structural steels and non-ferrous metals — stacked scratch-free, with minimal twist and burr.
- Format 8,200 × 2,100 mm
- Sheet thickness up to 10 mm
Punching
Five CNC turret punch presses with 44 tools each and 30 to 50 t of press force — from the smallest part to large formats.
- Format 12,050 × 2,000 mm
- Sheet thickness up to 8 mm
Laser cutting
Large-format laser cutting — also for contour-rich individual parts and prototypes with tight radii.
- Format 12,000 × 2,500 mm
- Material thickness up to 20 mm
Punch-laser combination
Punching and laser cutting in one setup — including embossings, extrusions, countersinks, threads and forming in a single operation.
- Format 7,000 × 1,500 × 8 mm
- Fully automatic 4,000 × 1,500 × 8 mm
Bending & press braking
14 CNC press brakes with up to 1,000 t of press force — bent profiles in all cold-formable materials.
- Bending length up to 12,050 mm
- Sheet thickness 0.75 – 15 mm
Joining & welding
Welded assemblies using MAG, MIG, TIG as well as spot, stud and resistance welding — including robotic welding and certification to EN 1090-2 EXC2.
- Assembly size 14 × 3 × 3.5 m
- Part weight up to 10 t
Coating & finishing
Surface finishing for ready-to-install parts — cathodic dip coating (e-coat), powder coating and galvanizing to your specification.
- E-coat & powder per RAL
- Corrosion protection galvanizing
Engineering & production planning
From idea to series part: engineering with CAD and CAM, production planning and material scheduling via our ERP system.
- Engineering CAD / CAM
- Planning ERP
Capabilities at a glance
The hard limits of our machinery — for your feasibility check and as a basis for your inquiry. Which materials run on them is shown in the overview of processed materials.
| Process | Maximum format | Material thickness | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shear cutting | 8,200 × 2,100 mm | up to 10 mm | structural steel, fine-grain structural steel, non-ferrous metals · stacked scratch-free |
| Punching | 12,050 × 2,000 mm | up to 8 mm | 5 CNC turret punch presses, 44 tools each, 30–50 t |
| Laser cutting | 12,000 × 2,500 mm | up to 20 mm | 3D laser processing |
| Punch-laser combination | 7,000 × 1,500 mm | up to 8 mm | fully automatic up to 4,000 × 1,500 mm · embossings, threads |
| Press braking / bending | bending length up to 12,050 mm | 0.75 – 15 mm | 14 CNC press brakes · up to 1,000 t of press force |
| Welding / joining | 14 × 3 × 3.5 m | — | up to 10 t · MAG/MIG/TIG, spot, stud, resistance · robotic welding · EN 1090-2 EXC2 |
| Surface | by arrangement | — | cathodic dip coating and powder coating, galvanizing |
From idea to ready-to-install part
Four steps, one contact person. You need no second workbench and no third supplier.
Consulting & engineering
We review your drawing for production-ready implementation and use CAD/CAM to develop a series-capable part from the idea.
Production planning
Material scheduling, nesting and production planning run via our ERP system — with an eye on deadlines and material utilization.
Manufacturing
Cutting, punching, laser cutting, press braking and welding at one location, with no transport routes between suppliers.
Finishing & inspection
Surface coating to your specification, final inspection according to our QM system and delivery of the ready-to-install part.
Industries we manufacture for
Our customers come predominantly from industrial SMEs and series supply. Each of these industries has its own requirements for documentation, tolerances and traceability — and our QM system is designed for exactly that.
Manufactured parts
A selection from our ongoing production programme — with material, sheet thickness and part length.
Verified quality, documented
Our quality management is certified and the records are openly available for download — exactly the information that purchasing and auditors want to see.
Quality management system, audited and confirmed by Lloyd’s Register — for both locations.
Download certificate →Certification for the manufacture of load-bearing steel components including factory production control.
Download certificate →Proof of the comprehensive quality requirements for the fusion welding of metallic materials.
Download certificate →A craft with a future — work with us on sheet metal
We are a family-owned company with around 45 employees at two locations and a modern machine park — from the CNC punch press to the welding robot. Whether you are a skilled worker, a career changer or a trainee: with us, clean work counts, not the fastest volume.
Administration Köln
Wanted: commercial reinforcement for administration and order processing.
View jobs in KölnPlant Werra-Suhl-Tal
Three job openings: production, MIG/MAG/TIG welder and office/industrial clerk.
View jobs in Werra-Suhl-Tal- Family-owned company since 1938
- Modern machine park
- Secure, permanent employment
- Short decision-making paths
Our locations
The administration is based at the head office in Köln, all production at the sheet metal processing centre in Werra-Suhl-Tal in Thüringen — one contact person, one plant, clear paths.
Köln (head office & administration)
August Bertrams GmbHEiler Straße 3 X1
51107 Köln
Werra-Suhl-Tal (plant · Thüringen)
August Bertrams GmbHSchäferstraße 2–4
99837 Werra-Suhl-Tal
Frequently asked questions about contract manufacturing
The questions that purchasing and engineering ask us most often.
Does August Bertrams GmbH also manufacture individual parts and small batches?
Yes. We manufacture everything from the smallest part and prototype to ongoing series production. For individual parts and contour-rich geometries we prefer to use laser cutting, and for recurring series the punch and punch-laser combination.
What is the maximum length a part may have?
For press braking, the maximum bending length is 12,050 mm. Laser cutting is possible up to 12,000 × 2,500 mm, punching up to 12,050 × 2,000 mm. We manufacture welded assemblies up to 14 × 3 × 3.5 m with a part weight of up to 10 tonnes.
Which materials are processed?
Structural steels, fine-grain structural steels such as S355MC and S460MC as well as non-ferrous metals. For press braking, all cold-formable materials are possible, with sheet thicknesses from 0.75 to 15 mm. All weldable materials can be welded.
Which certifications are in place?
The quality management system meets the requirements of DIN EN ISO 9001:2015. For load-bearing steel components there is a certification to DIN EN 1090-2 (EXC2), and for welding technology to DIN EN ISO 3834-2. All current certificates are available as PDFs in the download area.
Does Bertrams also handle surface treatment?
Yes. In addition to processing, finishing is part of our range of services — including cathodic dip coating (e-coat), powder coating and galvanizing. This way the part leaves the plant ready to install.
Where are the locations?
The administration is based at the head office in Köln (Eiler Straße 3 X1, 51107 Köln). Manufacturing takes place at the sheet metal processing centre in Werra-Suhl-Tal (Schäferstraße 2–4, 99837 Werra-Suhl-Tal) with around 4,000 m² of shop floor.
How does an inquiry work?
Send us your drawing or CAD file with quantity, material and desired delivery date to info@bertrams.org or via the inquiry form. We check feasibility and get back to you with a quote.
Send a drawing, receive a quote
Do you have a sheet metal part, an assembly or a series to place? Send us the drawing, quantity and desired delivery date — we check feasibility and get back to you with a quote.
Direct:
Köln +49 2203 9345-0
Werra-Suhl-Tal +49 36922 223-0
E-mail info@bertrams.org
An inquiry in three small steps
- Choose your request — blank, laser part, bent profile, assembly or “not sure yet”
- State the key data — keywords are enough, everything optional
- Leave your contact details — only company, name and e-mail are required
We usually get back to you within one working day.