Mayor Tilman Fuchs visits the Landwirtschaftsverlag

Mayor Tilman Fuchs visited Landwirtschaftsverlag in Münster-Hiltrup on Tuesday (16 June). Fuchs learnt about the business areas of the group, which operates in Germany, Poland, Austria and the Netherlands and provides media and services across the food value chain. “With over 40 specialist and consumer publications, digital services, market research and events, we are one of the 10 largest specialist publishers in Germany. We cater to professionals in agriculture, food processing and the food trade, as well as people who enjoy cooking, horse riding, hunting and country life,” say Malte Schwerdtfeger and Dr Ludger Schulze Pals, managing directors of Landwirtschaftsverlag, describing the breadth of the group’s activities.

The group continues to grow. Last March, for example, the company took part in the ‘data:unplugged’ AI festival, which attracted more than 11,000 trade visitors to the MCC Halle Münsterland. “data:unplugged is developing dynamically. Next year, we expect around 20,000 participants. We’ll need the city’s help with the organisation,” said the managing directors, expressing their hope for logistical support. “The history of your organisation, the diversity of your business areas and your positive development are impressive,” commented Tilman Fuchs on the work of the Landwirtschaftsverlag. Discussions on opportunities for collaboration at data:unplugged are due to take place shortly.

Sustainable business practices make sense not only ecologically but also economically. That is why the agricultural publishing house has been a partner in the City of Münster’s Climate City Agreement since February 2024. “Our aim is to become climate-neutral at our Münster-Hiltrup site by 2030. With the forthcoming investments in further photovoltaic systems, we will reach a total capacity of 235 kWp, which will enable us to generate over 200,000 kWh of electricity per year. Our staff also benefit from this, as they can charge their electric cars at our premises at a reduced rate. We are currently looking into the purchase of battery storage systems to further optimise the use of the electricity we generate ourselves”, say Dr Ludger Schulze Pals and Malte Schwerdtfeger, outlining the next key investment priorities.

“We will continue to maintain close contact. I am delighted with the support provided by Landwirtschaftsverlag in meeting the targets of the Climate City Agreement and with their commitment to keeping Hiltrup an attractive location,” says the Lord Mayor, acknowledging the company’s work. This includes, for example, the substantive and promised financial support for the expansion of the “Lager Waldfrieden Memorial Site” in Hiltrup-Ost.