Royal Barenbrug Group Celebrates 120 Years of Innovation and Sustainability in Grass Seed Industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nijmegen, The Netherlands – June 15, 2024

The Royal Barenbrug Group, a global grass-seed industry leader, proudly celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. Since its founding on June 15, 1904 by Joseph Barenbrug, the company has dedicated itself to helping feed the world sustainably and enhancing green spaces through innovative grass seed solutions.

Joseph Barenbrug envisioned a world of possibilities when he saw grass, initiating the development of diverse varieties for multiple purposes, a tradition that continues today. From tasty and healthy forages with high nutritional value for livestock to fine-leaved and attractive green grass for parks and gardens, strong and resilient sports pitches, multi species mixtures that enhance biodiversity, and cover crops that improve soil fertility. Barenbrug creates solutions for every need and climate.

As a family-owned company, Barenbrug has stayed true to Joseph's mission of helping customers overcome challenges. The fourth generation, represented by Frank and Bastiaan Barenbrug, continues this legacy as Supervisory Board members.

In recognition of its prestige, sustainable management, and excellent reputation, Barenbrug was awarded the ‘Royal predicate’ in 2004, a distinction granted to companies with extreme importance in their field and more than a century of existence.

Dedication to innovate

Barenbrug’s dedication to innovation is central to its R&D philosophy. By investing significantly in our owned research programs, state-of-the-art facilities and building partnerships with leading research institutions, Barenbrug stays at the forefront of grass seed technology.

This continuous improvement drives the company to explore new frontiers in seed science and produce superior products that meet the changing needs of the market, including more resilience in changing weather conditions, contribute to lower emissions, lower input requirements, better disease control and improved biodiversity and nutritional value.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainability is a core value in Barenbrug’s R&D efforts. The company strives to develop grass seed mixtures that perform exceptionally while contributing to environmental stewardship. By reducing the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides, Barenbrug’s seeds support sustainable landscaping and agricultural practices. Dedicated to creating a greener future, Barenbrug continues to innovate eco-friendly solutions.

Global Barenbrug Family

The cornerstone of Barenbrug's success is its people. Across all functions and locations, the passion, dedication and unique talents of employees set Barenbrug apart from the competition. Barenbrug is committed to being a global family to foster a sense of belonging, cooperation and mutual growth, increasing Barenbrug's relevance and impact on a global scale. Even though Barenbrug is represented in more than 20 local operating companies around the world, it ensures that everyone becomes stronger by being a global family, maintaining strong relationships with each other, sharing experiences and ideas and helping each other. Our extended family include our loyal suppliers, partners and customers around the world with whom we share our culture and values.

Frank Barenbrug, Member of the Supervisory Board: 

"Reaching 120 years is a nice milestone for Barenbrug, and it is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and serving the needs of our customers and end-users globally. Our mission to help feed the world sustainably and enhance green spaces has driven us to continually improve and adapt to the changing demands of the industry.

Bastiaan Barenbrug, Member of the Supervisory Board, added: "We are incredibly proud of the legacy that our great-grandfather Joseph Barenbrug started in 1904. Over four generations, we have built on his vision and passion for grass seed development. Today, our global Barenbrug team’s dedication and unique talents continue to set us apart, and we look forward to many more years of leading the industry with our cutting-edge solutions."

Some Milestones in Barenbrug’s 120 year history

• 1904: Barenbrug is founded by Joseph Theodore Barenbrug
• 1908: Publication of the booklet Money in Grasses. This was published in the US market in 1909.
• 1952: Barenza is Barenbrug's first brand on the variety list. Many more will follow.
• 1979: Barenbrug opens a seed cleaning facility in the USA
• 1996: Barenbrug opens a subsidiary and R&D station in New Zealand and in Australia
• 1997: Barenbrug opens a subsidiary in South America in Argentina
• 2004: During its 100th anniversary, Barenbrug became ‘Royal’, because of the important contribution to the grass seed industry over the last 100 years
• 2011: Barenbrug opens a subsidiary in South Africa
• 2024: Barenbrug celebrates its 120th anniversary. Still as passionate about providing the best sustainable grass solutions for sport, forage and recreation as it was back in 1904

++++++++++++

About Royal Barenbrug Group

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Barenbrug is a fourth-generation, family-owned company dedicated to the research, development and production of grass seeds & legumes for agricultural and recreational markets. With over 900 employees, active in more than 20 countries on six continents in all major climate regions, our mission is to increase animal productivity to help feed the world and enhance the enjoyment of green spaces. Together, our operating companies deliver annual net sales in excess of €370 million. More information can be found at www.barusa.com

++++++++++++

For further information, please contact:
Andrew Crawford
Director of Marketing and Brand Development
T | 541 619 8595
E | acrawford@barusa.com
W | www.barusa.com