Geschichte Baumringe Lebensjahre

over 70 years of rettenmeier®

QUALITY THROUGH TRADITION

 

... for over 70 years, everything has revolved around wood. A long time, during which we have experienced many successes and many experiences, making us what we are today - one of the largest woodworking companies in Europe, with 1600 employees at six locations in Europe.

 

In 2020, Rettenmeier Tatra Timber in Liptovský Hrádok, Slovak Republic started up a pellet plant with a capacity of 75,000 tonnes.

>> Liptovský Hrádok

 

In 2019 rettenmeier® announced the construction of a new sawmill at the Wilbugstetten site with a cutting capacity of 1.2 million cbm. 

>> Wilburgstetten

 

rettenmeier® acquires an jaw sawmill from IKEA Group in Inčukalns, Latvia, thus increasing the cutting capacity in the group by an additional 300,000 cbm.

>> Inčukalns, Lettland

 

Cordes GmbH from Bremerhaven took over the rettenmeier® Group in January 2015. After the takeover, Rettenmeier Holding and all subsidiaries were to be continued in their current form as independent companies within the Cordes Group.

>> Cordes Gruppe

 

In 2013, our site in Gaildorf was closed down to focus on the productions of the other German locations. 

 

In 2012, our Rettenmeier Polomka Timber plant was closed and our Slovakian production was concentrated on the Rettenmeier Tatra Timber site. The corporate image was also completely revamped and redesigned – to head for further success in the future with a fresh, new look.

 

In 2008, rettenmeier® celebrated its 60-year anniversary, which was attended by over 500 guests, employees and their families. To commemorate the firm's long existence, a second edition of the rettenmeier® chronicle 1948 – 2008 was published.

 

In 2007, the seventh operating company was set up in Ramstein/Rhineland-Palatinate and went into business in 2009.  

>> Ramstein 

 

In 2006 the Wilburgstetten site increased almost threefold in size

>> Wilburgstetten

 

In 2004, the second Slovakian production plant was taken over, giving rise to Rettenmeier Polomka Timber.

 

In 2000, all individual companies acquired to date were brought together under the umbrella of Rettenmeier Holding AG. Founder Josef Rettenmeier left the firm in the same year.

 

In 1999, the firm's first Slovakian production site was set up at Liptovský Hrádok – Rettenmeier Tatra Timber.

>> Liptovský Hrádok

 

The development of sites at Gaildorf in Baden-Württemberg and at Burgbernheim in Bavaria followed in 1996. This year also heralded the start of international operations with the takeover of a plant in Inčukalns, Latvia – Rettenmeier Baltic Timber. 

>> Burgbernheim         >> Inčukalns, Lettland

 

In 1990, the company set the course for successful expansion with the takeover of a wood factory in Tannhausen/Württemberg and the construction of a new production plant in Hirschberg/Thuringia. Over the next few years the firm enjoyed dynamic growth, acquiring new sites and setting up factories.

>> Hirschberg

 

In 1969, technical progress and subsequent industrialisation allowed important work processes to move from the great outdoors to workshops and production halls. The first workstations were set up at the central wood machining yard and the smallwood sawmill in Wilburgstetten, where the registered office of the Holding AG are located today.

 

In 1948, Josef Rettenmeier set up his own company for the purchase of mining timber and wood pulp. At the same time, he also took over a sawmill for producing construction and sawn timber in his home town of Wört.

 

In 1946, after qualifying in forestry and working for various forestry offices, Josef Rettenmeier moved into the timber industry. There he was employed by a pitwood trading company, responsible for organising the transport of timber from the east of Württemberg to the coal mines of Germany's Ruhrgebiet.

 

Johannes Deißler was the village mayor of Wört and passed away in 1925. Company founder Josef Rettenmeier was born in the same year. It is said of his grandfather that he was so overjoyed at the birth of his grandson that he erroneously put the date of birth down on the birth certificate as a day earlier: 16 March 1925.

All good stories start somewhere!