CHANGE IN STEP WITH TIME
Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, fancy Bentleys and Apple Stores have one thing in common: first-class veneer from Schorn & Groh. The Karlsruhe-based veneer expert is celebrating its 60th birthday this year, quietly of course, as befits Corona times. The champagne corks are popping digitally only.
Like the industry itself, the company has changed tremendously over time, from a small family business with products for the mass market to one of the world leaders in the industry, with exquisite veneers, lumber in domestic, modified and exotic species, and semi-finished products for a fine niche.
In 1992, Albrecht Groh officially retires from the management, but is still happy to help out as needed until 2005. Herbert Schorn ends his activity for health reasons in 1996. They have managed and built up the company together for more than 30 years. In 1995, Rainer Groh and Felix Kleinhans join the management. Shortly before his retirement, Herbert Schorn, together with other German veneer companies, founds IFN – the Initiative Furnier + Natur e.V. – which aims to strengthen the sales of veneer. Felix Kleinhans becomes the first chairman. Until then, mutually strong competition determines the German veneer industry – a new era begins with the IFN. Schorn & Groh acquires a stake in FSG Furnier und Schnittholz-Handels GmbH in Engelsdorf near Leipzig and takes over a veneer mill in Rheinfelden (Switzerland). The storage area in Karlsruhe grows to 10,000 square meters.
2001 – 2005
The headquarters in Karlsruhe is certified according to FSC® and PEFC guidelines. Axel Groh and Rolf Loose-Leonhardt become managing directors; they still run the company today.
The veneer jointing factory in Eschelbronn and the headquarters in Karlsruhe are certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015. From 2005, Schorn & Groh produces its first branded product in Eschelbronn: fleece-backed spliced veneers under the name fleece'n'flex. It is the prelude to many other semi-finished products.
But the company is also increasingly involved in the purchase and sale of veneers and veneer products and is launching additional brands: the exclusive "One-of-a-Kind" collection, fleece'n'stripe and additional products such as EASiWOOD and folded veneer. From 2009, customers can order the first products in the online store with a click.
2011 – 2015
For the 50th anniversary, the Karlsruhe office is being completely redesigned, including show rooms for individual consultation and veneer sales on site.
Other products are being launched, including naturally color-changed CoCo veneer in warm brown tones, silvery shimmering Shining Grey veneer, and end grain veneer Butt Cut in panel format. The lumber range is also being expanded step by step.
In 2015, Schorn & Groh founds the subsidiary muto', which concentrates on contract consulting and addresses discerning designers and architects.
The lumber range is expanded to solid table tops in domestic and exotic wood species in oversizes. In 2016, the product launch of muto GRID – a plated veneer – follows, winning an Interzum Award in 2017.
Further acquisitions and start-ups are in the pipeline: The participation and later acquisition of the company MyMantra SRL, the developer of Ligneah, laser-cut wood. And in 2019, the foundation of the subsidiary NUO GmbH incl. the launch of NUO, a "soft" wood that immediately conquers the market.
Additional information / downloads
