Evolution in Step with Time
The story of Schorn & Groh
The Hamburg Philharmonic Hall, classy Bentleys and Apple Stores have one thing in common: first-class veneer from Schorn & Groh. Just like the industry itself, the company has changed enormously over time: from a small family business with products for the mass market to one of the world’s leading companies in the industry – with exquisite veneers, sawn timber in domestic, modified and exotic wood species as well as semi-finished products for a demanding niche.
Company foundation in 1961
Carpenter Albrecht Groh and wood merchant Herbert Schorn found a veneer trading company in Durmersheim near Karlsruhe.
Own production | 1962 – 1970
The company grows rapidly: the first warehouse is built at Printzstraße 15 in Karlsruhe, today's company headquarters. Schorn & Groh starts buying its own logs and processing them in a toll veneer mill. At the same time, sawn timber is added to the product range.
Expansion | 1971 – 1980
The veneer trade booms and the company continues to grow. Milestones are the founding of the sales branch in Jettingen near Augsburg and the construction of another warehouse in Eschelbronn.
Leadership Change & Expansion | 1991 – 2000
Herbert Schorn and Albrecht Groh leave the management. Schorn & Groh takes over a veneer factory in Rheinfelden in Switzerland. The storage area in Karlsruhe grows to 10,000 m². 1995 Rainer Groh and Felix Kleinhans join 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 veneer sales. Felix Kleinhans becomes the first chairman. Until then, the German veneer industry is characterized by strong mutual competition – a new era begins with the IFN.
Generational Shift & Certifications | 2001 – 2005
The office in Karlsruhe is certified according to FSC® and PEFC guidelines. Axel Groh and Rolf Loose-Leonhardt become Managing Directors and still run the company today. The veneer assembly plant in Eschelbronn and the headquarters in Karlsruhe are certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015. From 2005, Schorn & Groh manufactures 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.
Brand Expansions | 2006 – 2010
The well-known plant in Rheinfelden ceases veneer production. Schorn & Groh concentrates locally on contract processing and continues to purchase special logs worldwide. At the same time, the purchase and sale of veneers and veneer products becomes increasingly important. The company launches other brands on the market: the exclusive "One-of-a-Kind" collection, "fleece'n'stripe" and additional products such as EASiWOOD and folded veneer. From 2009, customers will be able to order the first products at the click of a mouse in the online store.
50 Years – New Perspectives | 2011 – 2015
To mark its 50th anniversary, the Karlsruhe office is being completely redesigned, including showrooms for individual consultations and veneer sales on site. Further products are launched on the market, including naturally color-modified CoCo veneer in warm brown tones, silvery shimmering Shining Grey veneer and end-grain veneer in Butt Cut panel format. The range of sawn timber is also being expanded step by step.
In 2015, Schorn & Groh founded the subsidiary muto’, which focuses on project consulting and is aimed at discerning designers and architects.
Digitalization & Expansion | 2016 – 2020
Schorn & Groh invests in digitization, in particular in a new photo system with which the entire inventory can be photographed and digitally displayed in an online warehouse. Axel Groh has been Chairman of IFN since 2016.
The range of sawn timber is expanded to include solid table tops in domestic and exotic wood species in oversizes. This is followed in 2016 by the product launch of muto' GRID - a woven veneer - which wins an Interzum Award in 2017.
Further takeovers and start-ups are on the horizon: the investment in and subsequent takeover of MyMantra SRL and the developer of Ligneah, laser-cut wood. In 2019, NUO GmbH was founded, including the market launch of NUO, a "soft" wood that immediately conquers the market.
Resilience and Future Orientation | 2021 - 2025
Schorn & Groh has now been on the market for over 60 years. Schorn & Groh invests in the further development of NUO, expands its muto GRID collection and introduces EASiWOOD with a lacquered surface and self-adhesive backing. The Covid-19 pandemic has also enabled the company to continue serving the market thanks to its excellent network. Now we are preparing for the next big transitions.
Learn more about the latest developments and innovations at Schorn & Groh:
