Fireplaces are very popular in Germany,where 500,000 are sold each year. The Kago company is the second-largest fireplace manufacturer and one of few firms to produce its products exclusively in Germany.With 1,500 employees,Kago offers custom-made fireplaces. There are good reasons for the product’s growing popularity: Fireplaces provide both a warm place to gather in the home and help save money on rising energy costs. Report by Christian Pricelius.