Openfolde marks 200 years with Chairman’s Dinner at Malmaison Belfast, the purpose-built Victorian seed warehouses that became its home in 1868
16th Dec 2025
• 2025 marked a year of £30m turnover and a moment to reflect on the evolution of the company
• Established in 1825, Openfolde’s current profits remain above £3m
• 2025 also saw Germinal launch new range of climate and sustainabilty-driven forage solutions for farmers with Climate Smart Product Ranges.
Openfolde, the Belfast-headquartered, sixth-generation family business and parent company of grass and forage seed specialist Germinal, has brought its 200th anniversary year to a close with a special Chairman’s Dinner at the Malmaison Hotel, Belfast.
The business was founded in Belfast in 1825 by young entrepreneur Samuel McCausland and later moved to the Malmaison site in 1868, making it a fitting location for the anniversary celebration.
Many employees and guests from across the Group’s UK, Ireland and international operations travelled to Belfast for the event which followed its AGM.
The Malmaison Hotel occupies two landmark Victorian Italianate seed warehouses originally built in the 1860s — one of which housed the enterprise founded by Samuel McCausland, the origin of what is today Openfolde. McCausland would later take over the whole building on acquiring neighbouring competitor, John Lyttle and Sons.
Returning to the site served as a symbolic bookend to a year of major achievements for the business and anniversary celebrations, including events in Belfast and Edinburgh.
Reflecting on two centuries of innovation, John Gilbert, Chairman of the Openfolde Group and a fifth-generation descendant of the founder, looked back on the business’s transformation from a Belfast merchant operation into a modern, international agriscience group.
John Gilbert, Chairman of Openfolde, said:
“Bringing our 200th anniversary year to a close here in Malmaison — in the buildings where so much company history unfolded – is a moment of real significance for our family and for everyone in Openfolde. From those early seed warehouses to a group of strong, science-led brands operating across multiple markets, our evolution has been extraordinary.
“This year’s phenomenal sales performance is testament to the evolution and professionalism that now defines our organisation, from Marketing and HR to Sales, R&D, Operations and beyond. We have grown from a collection of disparate businesses across the UK and Ireland into a cohesive group with a clear purpose, strong values and a long-term view of how we support farmers, agriculture, sustainable land management, and our customers for generations to come.”
A year of growth, investment and future focus
2025 has been a defining year for Openfolde. Alongside anniversary celebrations, the Group delivered one of its strongest periods of performance, with turnover in the £30 million range and profits exceeding £3 million. The Group has grown to a workforce of more than 100 people across six sites in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand, while continuing to work with distribution partners in over 25 countries globally.
This year also marked a major acceleration in innovation, including the launch of its Climate Smart seed ranges and ongoing investment in its R&D division, Germinal Horizon’s research capacity in Wales and Wiltshire, England. It also saw significant commercial momentum across its branded companies and its e-commerce platform.
William Gilbert, Managing Director of Openfolde and Chairman of Germinal UK & Ireland, said people and collaboration are the backbone of its success.
William Gilbert said: “In this milestone year, it has become even clearer that our success flows from the dedication of our teams across all our sites, and from the partners and customers who trust us to deliver practical, science-backed solutions.
As we look toward to the next century, our focus remains on innovation, sustainability and investment in the expertise that drives our progress. Returning to this historic location connects our heritage with the future we are building.”
A landmark venue for a landmark moment
The Malmaison building’s connection to the McCausland and Gilbert families underscores the company’s long and uniquely Belfast story. Originally two rival seed warehouses, one for John Lytle & Sons, the other for Samuel McCausland, the buildings retain distinctive historic features such as iron pillars, beams and carved stone gargoyles.
Vacant for more than a decade before their 1990s regeneration, the warehouses were first converted into The McCausland Hotel in 1998 and later acquired by the Malmaison Group in 2004. Today, the property stands as one of Belfast’s most recognisable boutique hotels, blending heritage and contemporary design.
A year to remember
The Chairman’s Dinner marks the final event in Openfolde’s anniversary programme, following global partner events, industry celebrations and internal milestones. With more than 100 employees across six sites and growing international partnerships, the Group closes 2025 with strong performance and a clear strategic trajectory for the coming decade.
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