Our blog in 2018
Twelve highlights
2018 is drawing to a close. It has been an eventful year and, in our blog, we have documented some of the things that have mattered most at Klasmann-Deilmann. These are our 12 highlights from the past year.
Index of world market leaders
Of the many companies that self-identify as global market leaders, not all have earned this title. So say the University of St. Gallen and the Academy of German World Market Leaders (ADWM). Every year, the university’s Henri B. Meier Executive School reviews businesses based on clearly defined criteria. For us, it was a real motivational boost to be listed in the index as the world’s market leader for growing media.
The world’s leading horticultural trade show
The annual International Plant Fair (IPM) in Essen, Germany is regarded as the world’s leading horticultural trade show. Time and again it proves a real highlight for us, as, for four days, the horticultural scene is here in all of its dynamic vitality. This year we were able to announce that demand for the Growcoon is increasing worldwide and that we have become international distributor for this innovative product.
World Horti Center opens
The World Horti Center in the Netherlands brings together under one roof students, researchers and businesses in the horticultural sector. We think this is a brilliant idea, and have a presence there ourselves in the form of a permanent exhibition. Of course, we attended the opening festivities as well. The visit by the country’s Queen, Maxima, was a real highlight.
Sustainability Alliance: ‘Count us in!’
Sustainability is a priority for Klasmann-Deilmann. One expression of this is our membership – for 10 years now – of the ‘Lower Saxony Alliance for Sustainability’. Within this network, representatives from NGOs and the worlds of business and politics discuss current challenges facing sustainable development in our home federal state. This year, for the first time, companies received a special designation commending them for doing business sustainably. Klasmann-Deilmann was among them.
Change at the helm
The departure of a long-serving leader is always a significant moment in the life of a company, with someone who has successfully shaped the business for many years leaving and someone else taking the helm. This summer, we said farewell to Norbert Siebels after 28 years as Managing Director of Klasmann-Deilmann, with Bernd Wehming appointed to the Board of Managing Directors. Moritz Böcking, Managing Director at Klasmann-Deilmann GmbH since 2011, took on a large part of Norbert Siebels’ remit. Bernd Wehming is now in charge of many areas for which Moritz Böcking was previously responsible.
Innovation Center opens its doors
In June we celebrated the official opening of our Innovation Center. This new building, with its modern working environment, positively radiates transparency and serves as a catalyst for innovation. Visitors from the immediate region joined employees, customers and partners from all over the world for the opening ceremony. Guest contributors, including Lower Saxony’s environment minister Olaf Lies and keynote speaker Professor Franz Josef Radermacher of the Club of Rome, sparked stimulating discussions.
FSC for bioenergy
An important step towards making the sustainable use of forest and wood products visible and transparent, both inside and outside the organisation, was taken by our Lithuanian sales company Klasmann-Deilmann Bioenergy. Following an audit in the summer of 2018, it gained certification to the standards of the globally recognised Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
‘Skal’ certification for Growcoon
This year, our Growcoon propagation system with its biodegradable structure was included in the Dutch Skal list. This makes it all the more attractive for organic growers.
‘Design thinking’ at our Innovation Center
At a workshop, our promising young international talent explored what was for them a completely new approach. On three successive days, they learned how to develop solutions by means of ‘design thinking’.
Anniversary at Schwegermoor
Schwegermoor GmbH holds a very special place in the Klasmann-Deilmann Group. For many years, this location has specialised in the production of potting soils. In 2018 the company celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Lithuanian subsidiary plays host to political VIP
The visit by Lithuania’s foreign minister Linas Linkevičius was a special honour for our subsidiary Klasmann-Deilmann Šilutė. Our colleagues there spoke with the politician about the key role of growing media in the food industry, and showed him round our production site in Šilutė.
Our international trainee programme
At the end of the year, our first trainee completed his international programme. Michael Hwang gained his qualification at various Klasmann-Deilmann locations in Asia and Europe. He reports on his impressions in an interview.
