Environmentally friendly propagation systems with customers in over 130 countries

Groundbreaking sustainable technologies

With thousands of customers in 130 countries, it is estimated that just under 10 billion Ellepots are produced annually worldwide – a significant number in the fight to reduce plastic pots used for growing plants. Although the company is not very well known in its own country, Ellepot puts Denmark on the world map with their vision of delivering the world's most competitive propagation system and a mission to help customers save money by growing more efficiently – and at the same time also environmentally friendly.

"It requires a high degree of specialization to deliver what we deliver, and we are very grateful to have access to such a solid workforce as exists in Esbjerg. There are many good educations and professions in Esbjerg, and that has meant for us that we have been able to find the necessary workforce to grow this very unique company to the size it has today," says director Lars Steen Pedersen.

Growth

At the same time as Ellepot has grown, the company has also had to expand its premises several times, both in terms of offices and halls – though always on the same property at Storstrømsvej 55.

With the latest construction project, Ellepot doubled their production capacity with room for more large machines, more storage space for paper, a new canteen, and two new floors with open-plan offices for the steadily growing technical department.

The company is also growing digitally. Ellepot's physical spare parts warehouse went online when, in an IoT initiative in 2022, they launched an app for the newest machines that makes it easier for customers to follow and plan their production. The app provides insight into the machine's operating status while also giving access to quick contact with Ellepot or ordering spare parts, paper, and trays.

The Ellepot system is sold to customers worldwide, so although the Esbjerg team today counts about 85 local employees, Ellepot is also present globally through local sales offices, service technicians, and partners/distributors. In short, there is a whole network of people and companies helping to distribute the Danish-produced Ellepot system to nursery customers. Recently, Ellepot has hired three different specialists in South America to support the growing activity level there, especially within forestry and fruit plantations.

Local anchoring

Ellepot has one Danish partner, Floripartner in Odense, but otherwise, it is exports to the large foreign markets that drive the fundamental turnover. Without Danish B2C customers, the local anchoring at Ellepot is therefore primarily business-related, where Ellepot itself is engaged in local networks, advisory boards, and naturally works with other local companies as suppliers.

"When the company grows, it is important for us to have good local suppliers and partners we know we can trust. Esbjerg has a significant production and business capacity but is still small enough that you know your partners well, which we appreciate," says Thomas Lindberg Tranberg, who has been part of Ellepot's journey for the past nine years, first as Head of R&D, then Technical Manager, COO, and now CTO.