Our forward-looking approach has brought success for a hundred years
To successfully run a company over such a sustained period requires exceptional talent for innovation and progressive thinking. Whatever the challenges of a given time, we have embraced them as opportunities to shape standards and to move the organisation forward.
Our history at a glance
Klasmann-Deilmann’s corporate history goes back to 1913 when Georg Klasmann founded Heseper Torfwerk GmbH, a company which was renamed Klasmann Werke GmbH in 1971. The firm that later became C. Deilmann AG began producing peat in 1920. In its early decades, Klasmann’s main focus was on manufacturing fuel peat and bedding for horse stables; it also built its own peat-fuelled power station.
In the late 1950s, Klasmann and Deilmann began focusing increasingly on the production of growing media for commercial horticulture and, in 1974, started developing black-peat-based substrates.
The merger of Klasmann and Deilmann in 1990 created Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH, which invested in resources in Germany, Ireland, Lithuania and Latvia, and in modern substrate factories. At the same time, subsidiaries were formed in Europe, Asia and North America, in order to secure a local presence. Alongside this, a network of sales partners arose that now spans the entire globe.
Our company’s story
Takeover of SIA AJ Energy, SIA PA Energy and SIA BNP
New factory complex in Silute
Measuring emissions from peat production
Internal reorganisation of Klasmann-Deilmann
Strategy 2025
CSR Report for Financial Year 2013

Foundation of sales company Klasmann-Deilmann China
100th anniversary of Klasmann-Deilmann
Woodchip heating facility goes into operation

First CSR Report
Klasmann-Deilmann Polska

New companies

Activities in Latvia

Change at the helm

New substrate factory in Lithuania

Introduction of 200-litre-bales
First wood fibre facility

Rollout of GreenFibre (wood fibre)

Short-rotation plantations
Start of activities in the field of renewable energy and resources
ISO 14001 certification
Foundation of UAB Bioenergija LT

Rollout of „Easy Growing” and „Select” product lines
Inauguration of new factory building in Schiedam
Takeover of Beveco NV and Klasmann-Westhoekveen NV in Belgium

Takeover of UAB Ezerelio Durpes

We make it grow
Foundation of a sales company in Singapore
DIN EN ISO 9001 certification

Brand relaunch

Foundation of Baltische Torfgesellschaft mbH (BTG)

Inauguration of substrate factory at the port of Rotterdam

„Klasmann” product brand
Construction of new machines discontinued

Bol Group

First composting facility goes into operation

Foundation of Deutsche Komposthandelsgesellschaft mbH (DKH)

First supply contracts with peat companies in the Baltic region

Start of business activities in Ireland

Merger to form Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH
New management
New management
Klasmann purchases share in Torfwerk Schwegermoor GmbH peat works
Klasmann’s mechanical engineering division
Internationalisation

K‑Torf

Membership of RHP, Netherlands
Resignation from Peat Litter Association
Peat-fired power station in Rühle closes down
New management

Merger

Deilmann purchases Neuhaus peat works
Management of Torfbetriebe C. Deilmann
Commercial horticulture

Florabella
Heseper Torfwerke GmbH
Heseper Torfwerke GmbH

Fully mechanical white peat extraction

Georg Klasmann is awarded German Order of Merit

Emsland Plan
Deilmann purchases Sedelsberg peat works
The war years
Klasmann builds its own peat-fired power station in Rühle

Narrow-gauge bog railway

Deilmann acquires rights to extract peat in Börgermoor near Papenburg, Emsland

Foundation of Peat Litter Association
Georg Klasmann dies
Large-scale strike

Foundation of Vehnemoor GmbH

Georg Klasmann founds Heseper Torfwerk GmbH

Carl Deilmann founds „C. Deilmann, Bergbau-Unternehmung” mining company
Available here: our comprehensive Corporate History 1913 – 2013
Georg Klasmann and the firms he led had a significant impact on both central Emsland and the peat industry in north-western Germany. To coincide with the company’s centennial year (2013), Dr Michael Haverkamp, Director of the Emsland Moor Museum, published a full and academically robust Corporate History chartering developments ‘From the Hesepe Peat Plant to Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH’. Dovetailed with political, economic and cultural contemporary history, what emerges here is not only a vivid picture of a large family business, but also – and equally – the unique portrait of a region shaped by peatlands and peat extraction.
‘Von den Heseper Torfwerken zur Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH 1913 – 2013’
(From the Hesepe Peat Plant to Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH 1913 – 2013)
A German-language publication
Published by Michael Haverkamp
In collaboration with Dieter Ostendorf
Rasch-Verlag, Bramsche, 2013
ISBN 978–3‑89946–201‑2
450 pages
EUR 25.00 plus EUR 2.40 postage and packing
Please send an e‑mail, indicating the number of copies you wish and the delivery address. You will receive your order promptly (payment against invoice).