Ben Krings says he learned from the best and now applies that to the business he founded last year — at the age of 20 — with his uncle, Dave Krings.
Dave owns a carpentry business and foresees a growing demand for metal casings for doors and windows. Ben grew up welding at his dad’s business, John Krings & Sons Welding. He and Dave saw opportunity with iron casings, but they realized the best way to ensure the products met their quality standards would be to make them themselves. Krings Iron Casing and Metal Work was born.
“We’re trying to mass manufacture them, but we are not fully in the market yet,” Ben says of the casings.
The business partners have been meeting with building supply businesses and providing orders directly to builders. They anticipate the market will include industrial, commercial and residential construction.
Ben opened a shop and showroom in Ripon, and while the iron casing business continues to develop they also are offering metalwork that often pairs with another family member’s woodworking.
“Everything we do is handmade,” Ben says.
Their showroom includes custom furniture and fixtures such as benches, desks, lamps and signs, as well as outdoor fixtures such as flagpoles, mailbox posts and lampposts.
“We can do anything,” Ben says. “I’ve never seen anything built to the quality that we have.”
Eventually the business will need more shop space. In addition to the owners, there is one full-time employee and some part-time staff. Ben says he and his uncle bring creativity and skill to everything they produce.
Ben is excited to grow the business and has joined the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, has a social media presence and is updating the company website to make it more search-friendly.
“I believe there is a market; we’ve just got to get out there and make a name,” he says.
