Erzeugergemeinschaft

What Erzeugergemeinschaft does

Erzeugergemeinschaft für Qualitätsforstpflanzen "Süddeutschland" e.V. (EZG) is a German registered association (eingetragener Verein, e.V.) founded in 1973 that organizes most southern German forestry tree nurseries engaged in regional forest plant production. Headquartered at Aspachstraße 8a in 89290 Buch-Gannertshofen, Bavaria, the association operates as a non-profit coordination and quality assurance body with 12 employees, governed by a board chaired by Hubert Sailer (since September 2020). Vereinsregister VR20213, Registergericht Amtsgericht Aschaffenburg.

The EZG's product portfolio consists of knowledge and standards artifacts rather than commercial goods: EZG-Qualitätsrichtlinien (quality guidelines for forest seedlings co-developed with Bayerische Staatsforsten, ForstBW, AWG Teisendorf, Staatsklenge Nagold, FVA, and TUM Waldbau); Pflanzwissen (planting knowledge resources); Pflanzenfotos (color-coded visual quality documentation); Containerpflanzen guidance for container-grown stock including Douglasie and Weißtanne; H/D-Werte (height/diameter quality standards); Bündelungsempfehlungen (bundling recommendations); and periodic EZG-Info publications such as "Forstvermehrungsgut im Klimawandel" (2020) and EZG-Info 2-2025 planting tips. Distribution is informational only via the ezg-forstpflanzen.de website; plants are not sold by the EZG itself.

The association's go-to-market is indirect: it serves as an informational and quality-standards hub connecting member forest tree nurseries with state forestry procurement bodies (Bayerische Staatsforsten, Forst Baden-Württemberg, Landesforsten Rheinland-Pfalz, HessenForst), private forest owner associations, and forestry operations undertaking Waldumbau (forest restructuring) projects in response to 2018–2019 drought and bark beetle damage. Revenue is generated indirectly through membership fees and coordination services; specific plant pricing is determined by individual member nurseries. The association co-founded ZüF (Zertifizierungsring für überprüfbare Forstliche Herkunft Süddeutschland e.V.) in 2002 alongside the Bavarian and Baden-Württemberg forestry administrations to provide origin certification for forest reproductive material.

Name

Erzeugergemeinschaft

Legal name

Erzeugergemeinschaft für Qualitätsforstpflanzen Süddeutschland e.V.

Website

https://ezg-forstpflanzen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Founded in 1973, the Erzeugergemeinschaft für Qualitätsforstpflanzen "Süddeutschland" e.V. is a non-profit producer association coordinating most southern German forest tree nurseries. It provides quality guidelines, planting knowledge, and origin certification coordination to state forestry administrations, private forest owners, and member nurseries engaged in regional forest plant production.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Forestry Nursery Association Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (11321)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Forest Nurseries & Tree Seedling Production (IMAMAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Forest Health Management (Pest, Disease & Invasive Species Control) (AFAMAAAE)

Keywords

• Forest seedling production
• Nursery association services
• Forest plant quality standards
• Reforestation plant supply
• Forest reproductive material

Headquarters

HQ city

Buch-Gannertshofen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Association coordination and quality standards services: The EZG functions as a non-profit producer association (e.V. = eingetragener Verein) that coordinates its member forest tree nurseries, maintains quality standards, and provides informational resources. Revenue is generated indirectly through member nursery sales of forestry plants, with the association itself operating on membership fees and serving as a coordination/quality assurance body rather than a direct seller.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Erzeugergemeinschaft für Qualitätsforstpflanzen "Süddeutschland" e.V. (EZG) is a registered producer association founded in 1973 that organizes most southern German forest tree nurseries with regional forest plant production. The EZG coordinates its member nurseries, maintains published quality standards (EZG-Qualitätsrichtlinien) for forest seedlings, develops quality guidelines with state forestry administrations and specialist research institutes, and provides informational resources on planting techniques and quality assessment. The association itself does not sell plants; instead, it acts as a coordination and quality assurance body, with customers purchasing directly from member nurseries identified through the EZG's published directory and map.

Product overview

Erzeugergemeinschaft für Qualitätsforstpflanzen "Süddeutschland" e.V. is a producer association for quality forest seedlings founded in 1973. The organization does not offer a software product platform; rather, it provides a portfolio of knowledge products and services focused on quality forest plant production. Its core offerings include the EZG-Qualitätsrichtlinien (quality guidelines for forest seedlings), Pflanzwissen (planting knowledge resources), Pflanzenfotos (visual quality documentation with color-coded ratings), and Containerpflanzen guidance. These products are supplemented by periodic EZG-Info publications covering topics like climate change adaptation, planting tips, and container plant standards. The organization also provides H/D-Werte (height/diameter quality standards) and bundling recommendations. All offerings serve to support southern German forest nurseries in producing and delivering high-quality seedlings for reforestation and forest conversion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EZG-Qualitätsrichtlinien Forstpflanzen (Forest Plant Quality Guidelines) Published quality guidelines for forest seedlings developed with state forestry administration experts, Bayerische Staatsforsten, and specialist institutes (AWG Teisendorf, Staatsklenge Nagold). Contains external quality assessment criteria including H/D values and minimum root collar diameters, supported by photographic reference material. Used by member nurseries and forestry buyers across southern Germany.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CDU-BW Arbeitskreis Ländlicher Raum und VerbraucherschutzminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2024On November 18, 2024, the EZG hosted a field visit with the CDU-BW Working Group on Rural Areas and Consumer Protection (AK-Vorsitzender Klaus Burger, MdL) at the EZG member nursery Baumschule Sellner. The visit addressed challenges facing the forest plant sector and the need for increased regional production capacity in Baden-Württemberg.
• Forst Baden-Württemberg (ForstBW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForstBW is the state forestry administration for Baden-Württemberg and is a key partner in the EZG's activities. The EZG and ForstBW collaborate on the Interforst Sonderschau (special exhibition on sustainable forest management beginning with stand establishment), and EZG leadership has met with ForstBW representatives including Forstminister Peter Hauk and Landesforstpräsident Martin Strittmatter to discuss plant procurement and forest restructuring needs.
• Bayerische Staatsforsten (BaySF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Bayerische Staatsforsten (Bavarian State Forests) is a major state-owned forestry enterprise and key partner of the EZG. The two organizations co-exhibit at Interforst trade fairs and have regular dialogue meetings, including EZG visits to BaySF facilities (e.g., Pflanzgarten Bindlach in 2020). BaySF gifted a wood art piece to the EZG at its 50th anniversary.
• Bayerische Landesanstalt für Wald und Forstwirtschaft (LWF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LWF (Bavarian State Institute for Forestry) is a research partner that organized a professional exchange meeting with EZG member nurseries on June 12, 2024 in Freising. The EZG collaborated with the LWF on joint presentations at events and the EZG quality guidelines incorporate recommendations developed with the TUM Waldbau (Technical University of Munich, Forest Science).
• AWG – Bayerisches Amt für Waldgenetik (Teisendorf)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe AWG (Bavarian Office for Forest Genetics) in Teisendorf is cited as a specialist institute contributing to the development of EZG quality guidelines for forest plants, particularly on genetic provenance and origin assurance of forest reproductive material.
• Staatsklenge NagoldcoreTechnology or IntegrationStaatsklenge Nagold (state seed extraction facility in Baden-Württemberg) is a specialist institute that participated in the development of EZG quality guidelines for forest plants, contributing expertise on forest reproductive material and seed/origin certification.
• FVA – Forstliche Versuchs- und Forschungsanstalt Baden-WürttembergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FVA (Forest Research and Testing Institute of Baden-Württemberg) is a research partner referenced in the EZG's professional network. EZG quality guidelines were developed with participation of experts from specialist institutes including FVA.
• Forstliche Versuchs- und Forschungsanstalt Rheinland-Pfalz (FAWF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FAWF (Forest Research Institute of Rhineland-Palatinate) is a specialist partner referenced in the EZG's network, providing expertise on forest genetics and forest reproductive material in the context of origin assurance.
• ZüF – Zertifizierungsring für überprüfbare Forstliche Herkunft Süddeutschland e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZüF (Certification Ring for Verifiable Forest Origin in Southern Germany) is a closely aligned organization founded in 2002 through a joint initiative of the forestry administrations of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg together with the EZG. ZüF provides certification services for the origin of forest plants, complementing the EZG's quality standards.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Landesforsten Rheinland-Pfalz: State forestry administration of Rhineland-Palatinate, listed as a primary customer of the EZG for climate-adapted regional planting stock. Active in the same southern German forest restructuring programme.
• Bayerische Staatsforsten (BaySF): Bavarian state-owned forestry enterprise and a core partner of the EZG. BaySF co-exhibits at Interforst and dialogues with EZG on plant procurement, but operates the wider forestry value chain rather than focusing on nursery production.
• ThüringenForst: State forestry enterprise of Thuringia, operating in the same broader German forest regeneration context with comparable demand for climate-adapted planting stock, though outside the EZG's southern Germany remit.
• Forst Baden-Württemberg (ForstBW): State forestry administration for Baden-Württemberg and a key EZG partner. EZG leadership has met with ForstBW's Minister and Landesforstpräsident to coordinate plant procurement, but ForstBW's remit extends well beyond nursery supply.
• HessenForst: State forestry enterprise of Hesse, also a primary EZG customer for quality-assured forest planting stock. Comparable in mandate to BaySF and ForstBW though focused on a different state.

Direct peers

• ZüF - Zertifizierungsring für überprüfbare Forstliche Herkunft Süddeutschland e.V. Certification ring for verifiable forest origin in southern Germany, co-founded by the EZG in 2002 together with the forestry administrations of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Operates the certification infrastructure that complements EZG's quality standards, serving the same regional nursery and buyer base.

Regional players

• Niedersächsische Landesforsten: State forestry enterprise of Lower Saxony. Comparable in scale and mandate to the southern German state forestry customers of EZG, but operates in a different geographic region and is therefore not a direct competitor.

Others

• Bayerisches Amt für Waldgenetik (AWG) Teisendorf: Specialist institute for forest genetics in Bavaria that co-developed EZG quality guidelines with expertise on genetic provenance and origin assurance of forest reproductive material. Functions as an enabling/regulatory partner rather than a competitor.
• Forstliche Versuchs- und Forschungsanstalt Baden-Württemberg (FVA): Forest research and testing institute of Baden-Württemberg, listed as a participant in developing EZG quality standards. Comparable as a research and standards body within the southern German forestry ecosystem.
• Bayerische Landesanstalt für Wald und Forstwirtschaft (LWF): Bavarian State Institute for Forestry, a research partner that ran a professional exchange with EZG member nurseries in June 2024 and co-developed EZG quality guidelines. Provides scientific and advisory support to the regional forestry ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/erzeugergemeinschaft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Erzeugergemeinschaft