ForstBW

What ForstBW does

ForstBW (Forst Baden-Württemberg) is a state-owned forest management entity established on January 1, 2020 as an Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts (public law institution) under §45 of the Landeswaldgesetz, operating with exclusive statutory mandate over 324,000 hectares of state forest — approximately one-quarter of Baden-Württemberg's total forest area. The organization employs approximately 1,800 staff across 21 forest districts, 4 forest school homes, 2 education centers (FBZ Karlsruhe and FBZ Königsbronn), Staatsklenge Nagold, 2 forest machinery operations, and Haus des Waldes in Stuttgart, providing multi-functional services spanning sustainable timber production, forest pedagogy, hunting and fishing rights, nature-based burial (FriedWald), renewable energy development (ForstBW Green Energy), and outdoor recreation infrastructure.

ForstBW's core technology stack centers on forest management information systems including the proprietary MOFO mobile field device for inventory data capture, comprehensive GIS FE Service with remote sensing for spatial analysis, and ArcGIS integration for public-facing forest visualization. The organization maintains FSC® C120870 (2024-2029) and PEFC (2025-2030) certifications ensuring full chain-of-custody documentation for timber sales, alongside Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie certification (since 2020) and the 2024 German Sustainability Award for forestry. Revenue mechanics operate through a hybrid direct-to-consumer and B2B model: online firewood webshop, timber submission auctions and direct sales to approximately 130-150 enterprise wood buyers annually, periodic hunting lease auctions (next round 2026), renewable energy licensing on forest land, and professional fees for forest pedagogy and training programs.

The go-to-market approach is structurally diversified across five primary customer segments: enterprise wood buyers (sawmills, construction, furniture manufacturers), educational institutions (schools, kindergartens, professional forestry trainees), hunters and outdoor recreationists, the general public for recreation and burial services, and renewable energy developers. Government ownership and statutory mandate insulate the entity from competitive displacement while constraining growth to the fixed geographic asset base.

Name

ForstBW

Legal name

Forst Baden-Württemberg, AöR (Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts Forst Baden-Württemberg)

Website

https://forstbw.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

ForstBW (Forst Baden-Württemberg) is a state-owned public law institution managing 324,000 hectares of state forest in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, providing sustainable timber, renewable energy, forest education, hunting/fishing, and recreation services to enterprise buyers, educational institutions, and the public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Forest Management

NAICS

Timber Tract Operations (11311), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Timber Tract Operations (1131)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Timberland Asset Management (Institutional/Private) (AFAMAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Timberland Leasing & Contract Administration (Hunting, Grazing, Recreation) (AFAMAKAD), Timberland Operations Planning & Contractor Management (AFAMAKAE)

Keywords

• State forest management
• Sustainable timber production
• Forest pedagogy services
• Renewable energy development
• Forest conservation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tübingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Wood Sales and Timber: Sale of harvested timber from state forests. The organization practices sustainable harvesting where no more wood is taken than can regenerate. Products include firewood sold online and timber sold through submission auctions and direct sales.
2. Hunting and Fishing Rights: Leasing of hunting rights and sale of game meat (Wildbret) from state forests. Includes hunting lease auctions and fishing permits.
3. Renewable Energy: Revenue from wind power and solar energy projects on state forest land through ForstBW Green Energy initiative
4. Forest Education and Pedagogy: Revenue from forest pedagogy programs, school visits, forest training courses, and certifications including the state-certified forest pedagogue qualification
5. Land and Property Management: Revenue from permits and leases for use of state forest land for various purposes including real estate, rights of way, and other land uses
6. Burial Forests (FriedWald): Nature-based burial services in designated forest areas

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ForstBW manages 324,000 hectares of state forest in Baden-Württemberg (one-quarter of the state's total forest area), sustainably harvesting and selling timber and firewood through auctions and direct/online sales. Beyond wood products, the organization leases hunting and fishing rights, develops wind and solar energy projects on forest land via its ForstBW Green Energy sub-brand, offers nature-based burial services (FriedWald), and operates an extensive forest education network including the Haus des Waldes competence center, four Waldschulheime (forest school homes), two Forstliche Bildungszentren (FBZ Karlsruhe and Königsbronn), and recreational infrastructure (mountain bike trails, trekking camps).

Product overview

ForstBW (Forst Baden-Württemberg) is a public forest management organization managing over 324,000 hectares of state forest (Staatswald), representing one-quarter of Baden-Württemberg's forest area. The organization operates as a multi-service provider centered on sustainable forest management, offering a diverse portfolio of products and services including wood products (firewood, timber, wood harvesting and sales), renewable energy (ForstBW Green Energy with wind and solar), hunting and fishing services, forest education (forstliche Bildungszentren, Waldschulheime, Waldpädagogik, Haus des Waldes), geodata services, real estate management, forest work training, mountain bike trails, and forest burial services (FriedWald). The core offerings revolve around ecological forest management, sustainable wood production, and environmental education, supported by forestry training facilities and specialized services like Staatsklenge Nagold for seed processing and the forstlicher Maschinenbetrieb for harvesting operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ForstBW Green Energy: Renewable energy subsidiary focusing on wind power and solar energy projects

Products and services

• Holzprodukte (Wood Products) Sustainable timber, firewood, and wood harvesting products sold from state forests in Baden-Württemberg, including sales through submission auctions and direct sales channels for sawmills, construction companies, and wood industry buyers.
• ForstBW Online Shop (Brennholz / Firewood) Direct-to-consumer online webshop allowing customers to conveniently purchase sustainably sourced firewood from state forests in Baden-Württemberg.
• ForstBW Green Energy (Renewable Energy) Renewable energy offerings including wind power, solar energy, and partnerships for geothermal energy development on state forest land in Baden-Württemberg.
• Jagen & Fischen (Hunting and Fishing) Hunting and fishing services including hunting lease auctions for state hunting districts, game meat (Wildbret) sales, hunting opportunities, and angling permits in state forest areas of Baden-Württemberg.
• FriedWald (Forest Burial) Nature-based burial services offering last resting places in designated forest areas of the state forest, operated in partnership with FriedWald GmbH at locations including Wiesenbach, Mainhardt, and Friolzheim.
• Geodaten (Geodata Services) Geographic data products and services related to state forest management, providing spatial data and GIS-based information from ForstBW's forest management systems.
• Immobilien & Gestattungen (Real Estate and Permits) Real estate management services and usage permits (Gestattungen) for third-party use of state forest land for various purposes including rights of way, real estate, and other land uses.
• ForstBW Waldarbeitstraining (Forest Work Training) Forest work training services for professional development in forestry operations, providing practical skills training for forestry personnel and contractors.
• Forstliche Bildungszentren (FBZ Karlsruhe and FBZ Königsbronn) Forestry education centers (FBZ Karlsruhe celebrating 100 years in 2026 and FBZ Königsbronn) providing professional training and continuing education for forestry personnel in Baden-Württemberg.
• Waldschulheime (Forest School Homes) Forest school homes at Burg Hornberg, Höllhof, Kloster Schöntal, and Indelhausen offering multi-day residential nature experiences for school groups (grades 3-11), combining practical forest work with educational programs.
• Waldpädagogik (Forest Pedagogy) Forest pedagogy services providing environmental education for children, youth, and adults through various programs and facilities across Baden-Württemberg.
• Haus des Waldes (House of the Forest) State competence center for forest pedagogy in Stuttgart, featuring the interactive permanent exhibition 'StadtWaldWelt', barrier-free forest experience trail 'Sinneswandel', and hosting over 100 annual events.
• Staatsklenge Nagold (State Seed Processing Facility) State cone and seed processing facility for drying and processing tree seeds, supporting forest regeneration efforts in Baden-Württemberg.
• Mountainbike Singletrails Mountain biking trails and singletrails developed and maintained in state forests of Baden-Württemberg for recreational use.
• Trekkingcamps (Trekking Camps) Trekking camps in state forests offering overnight camping experiences for visitors to Baden-Württemberg's state forests.
• Waldjugendzeltplätze (Forest Youth Campsites) Forest youth campsites providing camping facilities for youth groups in state forests of Baden-Württemberg.
• Zertifikat Waldpädagogik (Forest Pedagogy Certification) State-certified forest pedagogue qualification program offered through Haus des Waldes, providing professional credentials for educators.
• Waldbox (Mobile Forest Education) Mobile forest education service bringing forest pedagogy programs to various locations including schools and community groups.
• Forstlicher Maschinenbetrieb (Forest Machinery Operations) Forest machinery operations providing and maintaining harvesting equipment for wood harvesting in state forests, with locations at St. Peter and Ochsenberg.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90 tons CO2 saved annually through 46 hybrid vehicles
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universität Freiburg (University of Freiburg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2025University of Freiburg's Exzellenzcluster Future Forests (Excellence Cluster Future Forests). ForstBW congratulated the university on this prestigious research cluster focused on future forest research.
• Stadt Bruchsal (City of Bruchsal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2024Joint provision of areas for wind energy development. ForstBW and the City of Bruchsal jointly make land available for wind power installations, supporting regional renewable energy expansion.
• Deutsche ErdWärme GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 October 2023Partnership for the expansion of renewable energy. ForstBW collaborates with Deutsche ErdWärme GmbH on geothermal energy development projects on state forest land, supporting the energy transition and renewable energy goals.
• PEFC Regional Working GroupscoreOthersRegional PEFC working groups including Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland visit ForstBW facilities for technical exchange on tree species and climate change adaptation. PEFC certification is maintained through these regional structures.
• FriedWald GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature-based burial services operator. ForstBW hosts FriedWald burial forests at various locations including Wiesenbach, Mainhardt, and Friolzheim, offering burial options in designated forest areas.
• Thünen-Institut für Waldökosysteme (Thünen Institute for Forest Ecosystems)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership on carbon storage in forested moors. The Thünen Institute established one of 50 nationwide study plots in the Haubacher Moos (55 hectares) within ForstBW territory to study carbon content and CO2 release from forested moors.
• Firma Launer (Launer Company)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerForestry contractor partner. The company Launer won German Forest Prize 2026 as forestry entrepreneur. ForstBW engages 130-150 companies annually with approximately 500 contracts for wood harvesting, with Launer being a highly valued partner.
• Sägewerk Meyer (Meyer Sawmill)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional sawmill partner in Neckarbischofsheim. Collaboration on wood value chain education, where apprentices from ForstBW and carpentry schools jointly learn about timber processing from forest to finished product.
• Theodor-Frey-Schule EberbachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarpentry school partner. Joint projects with ForstBW apprentices and carpentry students for practical education on timber value chains and construction projects using wood from state forests.
• Naturvielfalt WestallgäuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature conservation organization working on moor rewetting in Haubacher Moos. Collaboration with ForstBW's Oberland forest district on restoring damaged moorland as part of climate protection efforts.
• Regierungspräsidium (RP) and FVA (Forstliche Versuchsanstalt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment forest research and regulatory bodies providing technical supervision for conservation projects including water buffalo grazing experiments for gelbringfalter (Large Copper butterfly) habitat management.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sveaskog: Sweden's largest forest company and state-owned timberland manager with approximately 3 million hectares. Closest international peer in terms of state ownership structure, sustainable yield mandate, FSC/PEFC certification, and integrated timber/recreation/reindeer hunting portfolio.
• Metsähallitus: Finnish state-owned forest enterprise managing approximately 1.3 million hectares of state-owned forests and waters. Comparable state ownership, FSC certification, sustainable yield mandate, and revenue model combining timber, recreation, hunting, and nature protection services.
• Niedersächsische Landesforsten: State forest management entity for Lower Saxony managing approximately 335,000 hectares. Comparable mandate (forest stewardship under state law), FSC/PEFC certification, similar service portfolio including timber, hunting leases, education, and recreation across multiple forest districts.
• Landesforsten Rheinland-Pfalz: State forest authority for Rhineland-Palatinate managing approximately 280,000 hectares. Comparable institutional structure, FSC/PEFC certification, and product mix; PEFC regional working group collaboration with ForstBW indicates close operational overlap.
• HessenForst: State forest management entity for Hesse managing approximately 320,000 hectares of state forest. Similar legal form (Landesbetrieb), FSC/PEFC certification, timber auctions, hunting leases, and forest education programs make it a close functional peer.
• Bayerische Staatsforsten: State-owned forest enterprise managing approximately 808,000 hectares of Bavarian state forest. Direct peer as Germany's largest state forestry AöR with identical legal form, mandate structure, FSC/PEFC certifications, and revenue model spanning timber, hunting, education, and recreation.

Broad incumbents

• Stora Enso: Nordic integrated forest products company with approximately 1 million hectares of private forest land and significant downstream wood products manufacturing. Adjacent peer covering similar end markets (European sawmills, construction) but vertically integrated into manufacturing rather than pure timberland management.
• PotlatchDeltic: US timber REIT managing approximately 1.9 million acres (~770,000 hectares) of timberland across the US South and Pacific Northwest. Comparable in scale and timber asset management focus but as a publicly traded REIT rather than state-owned entity; useful valuation comparator for institutional timberland assets.
• Weyerhaeuser: One of the world's largest private timberland owners with approximately 10.5 million acres of US and Canadian timberland plus wood products manufacturing. Comparable institutional timberland management at scale with FSC certification (SFI-equivalent), providing benchmark for land-bank valuation and sustainable yield operations.
• Rayonier: US timber REIT managing approximately 2.7 million acres of timberland. Comparable scale to ForstBW and serves as benchmark for institutional timberland valuation and revenue per hectare, though structured as a profit-maximizing REIT rather than public-welfare mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@forstbw840
• Facebookfacebook.com/forstbw
• Instagraminstagram.com/forstbw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forstbw

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ForstBW