Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau NRW e. V.

What Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau NRW e. V. does

Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau NRW e. V. (VGL NRW) is the state-level trade and employer association representing commercial garden, landscape, and sports ground construction companies in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The association was formed in 2003 through the merger of the Rheinland and Westfalen-Lippe predecessor associations and operates from the Haus der Grünen Verbände in Oberhausen. It is a member of the federal Bundesverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e. V. (BGL) network, which collectively represents member companies accounting for over 60% of the German GaLaBau sector turnover.

The association's core product is a bundled membership service portfolio. Members receive access to a closed member portal (Mitgliederbereich), the GaLaBau-JobBörse job portal, the Fachbetriebssuche specialist directory, the GaLaBau-Normenportal for industry standards and VOB contracts, the GaLaBau-Seminarfinder, the GaLaBau-Online-Shop, and the BGL-Branchenreport. Underlying technology is conventional web infrastructure: the site runs on Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, Consentmanager.net, and is hosted by TWT On GmbH on German servers. Supporting campaigns include 'Mission Green', 'Grün in die Stadt', 'Rettet den Vorgarten', and the Landschaftsgärtner-Cup NRW apprentice competition.

VGL NRW generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues (sized to company size and qualifications), paid seminars and training (discounted for members), event participation fees (GaLaBau Ausblicke, IPM ESSEN, GaLaBau Messe), and online shop transactions for publications and marketing materials. The association negotiates collective purchasing agreements with BAMAKA AG (vehicles, machinery, fuel), framework insurance contracts offering up to 30% premium savings, and provides legal advisory in labor, social, and tariff law. It serves exclusively the SMB commercial GaLaBau segment in NRW, with no enterprise or consumer-direct monetization beyond the Fachbetriebssuche lead-generation directory.

Name

Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau NRW e. V.

Legal name

Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau Nordrhein-Westfalen e. V.

Website

https://galabau-nrw.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VGL NRW is a non-profit trade and employer association representing commercial garden, landscape, and sports ground construction companies in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It delivers bundled member services including collective purchasing, insurance frameworks, legal advisory, training, lead-generation directories, and political lobbying.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Other Specialty Trade Contractors (2389)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Industry advocacy
• Collective purchasing
• Vocational training
• Member services

Headquarters

HQ city

Oberhausen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Annual membership fees from commercial garden, landscape, and sports ground construction companies. Membership provides access to collective purchasing power, insurance frameworks, legal support, marketing resources, training discounts, and industry representation.
2. Seminars and training: Branch-specific seminars and workshops to member companies at reduced rates, and non-members at standard rates. Covers horticultural, business economics, and technical topics.
3. Events and trade fairs: Event participation fees for annual events including GaLaBau Ausblicke, membership meetings, and networking events. Also participation in trade shows like IPM ESSEN and GaLaBau Messe.
4. Online shop and publications: Sales of publications, guidelines, marketing materials, and advertising through the GaLaBau online shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

VGL NRW is a regional trade association (eingetragener Verein) representing commercial garden, landscape, and sports ground construction companies in North Rhine-Westphalia. It sells annual memberships that grant member companies access to collective purchasing frameworks (BAMAKA AG), insurance savings of up to 30%, legal support, discounted seminars and training, political lobbying, marketing campaigns, an exclusive member portal, a job board, and a specialist company directory. The association also organizes the annual Landschaftsgärtner-Cup NRW apprentice competition and publishes industry reports and a magazine for members.

Product overview

Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau NRW e. V. is a trade association for the garden, landscape, and sports ground construction industry in North Rhine-Westphalia. The association operates a unified platform of member services rather than a single software product. Its core offerings include a closed Mitgliederbereich (member portal) providing exclusive access to job listings, downloads, and resources; the GaLaBau-JobBörse job portal; the Fachbetriebssuche directory for finding member companies; and the GaLaBau-Online-Shop for collective purchasing. Additional services include the GaLaBau-Seminarfinder for training registration, the GaLaBau-Blog for industry knowledge sharing, and the GaLaBau-Normenportal for standards access. The association also runs marketing campaigns including Mission Green and the "Grün in die Stadt" initiative, organizes events such as the annual GaLaBau Ausblicke conference and the Landschaftsgärtner-Cup NRW competition, and publishes the Verbandsmagazin. These products collectively support member companies with professional development, marketing, business analysis tools, and industry advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mitgliederbereich (Closed Member Area) Restricted online portal for association members providing access to exclusive content, templates, downloads, job listings, and member-only resources, accessible via login credentials issued to verified member companies.
• GaLaBau-Karriere (Job Portal) Specialized job board for the garden, landscape, and sports ground construction industry, connecting member companies with apprentices and skilled workers across North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Fachbetriebssuche (Specialist Company Search) Searchable online directory enabling consumers to find qualified member companies of the association for garden, landscape, and sports ground construction services in their area.
• GaLaBau-Online-Shop E-commerce platform providing member companies with access to collective purchasing agreements (via BAMAKA AG), promotional materials, advertising merchandise, and publications at preferential rates.
• GaLaBau-Seminarfinder (Seminar Finder) Online directory for finding and registering for professional development seminars and training courses in garden, landscape, and sports ground construction, offered at reduced rates to member companies.
• BGL-Branchenreport (Industry Report) Annual industry report providing member companies with sector data, business benchmarks, and market statistics for the German garden, landscape, and sports ground construction sector.
• Unternehmens-Check (Company Analysis Tool) Business analysis tool helping member companies evaluate operational metrics and optimize cost structures based on industry benchmarks specific to the GaLaBau sector.
• GaLaBau-Normenportal (Standards Portal) Digital portal providing access to industry standards, norms, VOB contracts, and regulatory documents for member companies operating in garden and landscape construction.
• Landschaftsgärtner-Cup NRW Annual skills competition for apprentices in the garden and landscape construction trade, held in Westfalenpark Dortmund, attracting 232 apprentices from 119 companies in 2024.
• GaLaBau Ausblicke (Annual Outlook Event) Annual kickoff event held during IPM ESSEN featuring expert presentations on current industry topics such as cybersecurity, circular economy, and artificial intelligence for member companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Insurance savings up to 30% through framework contracts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AuGaLa (Ausbildungsförderwerk Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e. V.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for joint youth recruitment and vocational training development. AuGaLa supports the association's efforts to attract apprentices and maintain high standards in landscape gardening education in Germany.
• BAMAKA AGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive purchasing partner providing collective buying power for member companies. BAMAKA AG offers framework agreements for vehicles, construction machinery, diesel, and other supplies, enabling significant cost savings through volume discounts.
• DEULA Rheinland GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining partner for over-the-counter learning phases in apprenticeship programs. DEULA provides practical training facilities and instruction for GaLaBau apprentices. New training hall expansion underway.
• LAGL NRW (Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Gartenbau und Landespflege Nordrhein-Westfalen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKarl Jänike serves as Managing Director of LAGL NRW. LAGL coordinates garden shows in North Rhine-Westphalia including Landesgartenschau Neuss 2026, IGA 2027, and BUGA 2031.
• BGL (Bundesverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e. V.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation representing the German garden, landscape, and sports ground construction industry. VGL NRW is a state member of BGL, coordinating on policy, marketing campaigns, and industry standards.
• Landwirtschaftskammer NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural chamber of North Rhine-Westphalia. Participates in judging the Landschaftsgärtner-Cup and provides certification for training programs in the horticulture and landscape sector.
• Gartenbau-BerufsgenossenschaftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural horticultural trade association providing accident insurance. Participates in jury activities for industry competitions and safety-related training.
• Stadt DortmundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Dortmund hosted the 2024 Landschaftsgärtner-Cup in Westfalenpark. Mayor Norbert Schilff provided opening address and launched the competition.
• Verband Wohneigentum NRW e. V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint initiative partner for the photo competition 'Rettet den Vorgarten' and other campaigns promoting front garden greening in North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Landesverband der Gartenbauvereine NRW e. V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-organizer of the 'Rettet den Vorgarten' photo competition. Partner in promoting garden and horticultural education and community gardening initiatives.
• bdla NRW (Bund Deutscher Landschaftsarchitekten NRW)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on landscape architecture awards (nrw.landschaftsarchitektur.preis) and parliamentary events bringing together politicians and industry practitioners.
• Haus & Grund RuhrminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint initiative 'Rettet den Vorgarten' to promote front garden greening and oppose rock gardens. Partnership leverages property owner network for campaign outreach.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fachverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau Baden-Württemberg: State-level GaLaBau trade association for Baden-Württemberg with the same organizational structure and member services as VGL NRW — one of 11 direct state-level peers under the BGL federation.
• Bayerischer Landesverband für Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau: State-level GaLaBau employer and trade association for Bavaria. Operates the same model as VGL NRW — membership services, collective framework contracts, political advocacy, apprenticeship recruitment — but in Bavaria instead of NRW.
• GaLaBau-Verband Berlin und Brandenburg: State-level GaLaBau trade association covering Berlin and Brandenburg. Comparable organizational scope, services, and mission as VGL NRW; one of the 11 state members of the BGL federation.
• Fachverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau Hessen: State-level GaLaBau trade association for Hesse, offering the same membership model (dues, training, framework agreements, political representation) as VGL NRW within a different state geography.

Others

• AuGaLa (Ausbildungsförderwerk Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e. V.): National training-promotion body for the GaLaBau sector, a long-standing core partner of VGL NRW for youth recruitment and vocational training development. Closely linked ecosystem partner rather than direct peer.
• DEULA Rheinland GmbH: Vocational training center and core implementation partner for GaLaBau apprenticeships in the Rhineland. Provides the practical training infrastructure that VGL NRW's apprenticeship and Teilqualifizierung programs depend on.

Broad incumbents

• Bundesverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e. V. (BGL): The national German federation for the garden, landscape, and sports ground construction sector. BGL is the umbrella body of which VGL NRW is a state member, providing the most direct analogous trade association model — same mission, broader geographic remit and more resources.
• Zentralverband Gartenbau (ZVG): German national federation for horticulture, including production horticulture, floristry, and related segments. Adjacent trade association with overlapping policy and training concerns in the green sector; broader scope than VGL NRW.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/gruenindiestadt
• Facebookfacebook.com/GruenInDieStadt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verband-garten--landschafts--und-sportplatzbau-nrw-e.-v.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau NRW e. V.