Rettenmeier

Rettenmeier is a German wood-processing group headquartered in Wilburgstetten, Bavaria. Founded in 1948 by Josef Rettenmeier senior as a small sawmill for pit timber in Wört, the company has grown into one of Europe's leading manufacturers of solid wood products. It operates eight strategic sites in Germany, Latvia and Slovakia and employs around 2,200 people, including about 70 apprentices. The group's core business is the industrial processing of softwood sawlogs into a broad range of timber products. The company markets its output under the umbrella brand rettenmeier® PREMIUM OF WOOD, with product lines covering industrial wood, Zunftholz (carpentry timber), Do It Wood for DIY, outdoor wood and energy wood (pellets). Its customers range from industrial processors and the construction sector to DIY retailers such as OBI and Bauhaus, with whom Rettenmeier has partnered since 1980. The group also offers forest services, including timber stand assessment, harvest planning and logging, to private and institutional forest owners. Rettenmeier has invested heavily in modern production technology. In 2021 it commissioned one of Europe's most modern sawmills in Wilburgstetten and started pellet production in Ramstein-Miesenbach. In 2022 it added a new production line for construction timber (KVH) and glued laminated timber (BSH) in Hirschberg. In 2025 the group opened the largest sawmill in the Baltics in Inčukalns, Latvia, and acquired Germany's largest sawmill in Plößberg along with production facilities in Pressath. The company follows a zero-waste principle, using 100% of the wood raw material, including sawmill by-products and bark. Since 2015 Rettenmeier has been part of the Cordes GmbH group based in Bremerhaven, after financial difficulties related to the Ramstein site led to a takeover. The group remains privately held and is not listed on any stock exchange.

Rettenmeier was founded in 1948 by Josef Rettenmeier senior in Wört, Germany, as a small sawmill producing pit timber for mining. From 1948 to 1978 he operated a sawmill for construction and sawn timber in Wört together with two partners. In 1969 a wood processing yard with a small-diameter sawmill was established in Wilburgstetten, which became the starting point for the company's further expansion. Together with his two sons, Josef Rettenmeier senior developed it into one of the significant companies of the European wood industry. In 1974 his son Josef Rettenmeier junior joined the management. Shortly afterwards, a planing mill for the production of profile timbers was built in Wilburgstetten. In 1990 the company took over a plant in Tannhausen and built a new plant in Hirschberg, Thuringia. In the mid-1990s the company expanded into Eastern Europe, taking over wood-processing operations in Slovakia and Latvia, which were modernized and expanded. In 2000 the Rettenmeier AG was founded, making the company one of the largest sawmill operations in Germany. Between 1990 and 1999, expansion continued with sites in Hirschberg and Burgbernheim (Germany), Inčukalns (Latvia) and Liptovský Hrádok (Slovakia). In 1980 partnerships with OBI and Bauhaus marked the company's entry into the DIY sector. In 2008 the Rettenmeier Holzindustrie Ramstein GmbH & Co. KG was founded, and it commenced operations in July 2009. After financial problems related to this site, the Cordes GmbH from Bremerhaven took over the Rettenmeier Group in January 2015. In the following years the company invested heavily in the expansion and modernization of its sites. In 2021 one of the most modern sawmills in Europe was commissioned in Wilburgstetten, one of the largest investment projects in the company's history. At the same time, a new pellet production facility was built at the Ramstein-Miesenbach site, significantly expanding activities in renewable energy sources. In 2022 a new production line for construction timber (KVH) and glued laminated timber (BSH) was commissioned at the Hirschberg site in Thuringia. This decisively broadened the portfolio in high-quality wood construction products and strengthened the competitive position in the European market. In 2025 the group continued its expansion strategy. In Inčukalns (Latvia) the largest sawmill in the entire Baltic region was opened, which will significantly serve the Eastern European market in the future. At the same time, the company acquired Germany's largest sawmill in Plößberg and the associated production facilities in Pressath. Through these acquisitions, the group considerably expanded its capacities and secured a leading position in the European wood industry.

• 2025

  Opening of the largest sawmill in the Baltics in Inčukalns (Latvia) and acquisition of Germany's largest sawmill in Plößberg and production facilities in Pressath.

• 2022

  Commissioning of new KVH and BSH production in Hirschberg.

• 2021

  Commissioning of one of Europe's most modern sawmills in Wilburgstetten and new pellet production in Ramstein-Miesenbach.

• 2015

  Cordes GmbH from Bremerhaven took over the Rettenmeier Group in January after financial problems at the Ramstein site.

• 2009

  The Ramstein-Miesenbach site commenced operations in July.

• 2008

  Founding of Rettenmeier Holzindustrie Ramstein GmbH & Co. KG.

• 2000

  Founding of Rettenmeier AG, becoming one of the largest sawmill operations in Germany.

• 1990

  Takeover of a plant in Tannhausen and construction of a new plant in Hirschberg, Thuringia.

• 1990

  Expansion into Eastern Europe with sites in Inčukalns (Latvia) and Liptovský Hrádok (Slovakia).

• 1980

  Partnerships with OBI and Bauhaus marked the entry into the DIY sector.

• 1974

  Josef Rettenmeier junior joined the management; a planing mill for profile timbers was built in Wilburgstetten.

• 1969

  Establishment of a wood processing yard with a small-diameter sawmill in Wilburgstetten, the starting point for further expansion.

• 1948

  Josef Rettenmeier senior founded the company in Wört as a small sawmill for pit timber.

Premium quality solid wood products from a leading European sawmill group, emphasizing sustainability and zero-waste processing.

• Industrial Wood

  Timber products for industrial processing.

• Zunftholz

  Carpentry timber for trade professionals.

• Do It Wood

  Wood products for the DIY market.

• Outdoor Wood

  Timber for outdoor applications.

• Energy Wood

  Wood pellets and other renewable energy products.

• Construction timber (KVH)

  Engineered wood for construction.

• Glued laminated timber (BSH)

  Structural glued laminated timber.

1. 1rettenmeier PREMIUM OF WOOD: Rettenmeierrettenmeier.com
2. 2Geschichte: Rettenmeierrettenmeier.com
3. 3FOREST SERVICES: Rettenmeierrettenmeier.com
4. 4Rettenmeierde.wikipedia.org
5. 5Rettenmeierwikidata.org