Belfast-Born Openfolde Celebrates 200 Years at Historic Malmaison Site

A significant milestone was recently celebrated right here in Belfast as Openfolde, a locally-headquartered, sixth-generation family business, marked its 200th anniversary. The momentous occasion culminated in a special Chairman's Dinner held at the Malmaison Hotel, a venue deeply rooted in the company's remarkable history.

Founded in Belfast in 1825 by young entrepreneur Samuel McCausland, the company's journey began with humble origins. It later moved to the very site where the Malmaison now stands in 1868. The Malmaison Hotel itself occupies two landmark Victorian Italianate seed warehouses from the 1860s, one of which originally housed McCausland’s enterprise, making it a truly fitting location to reflect on two centuries of growth.

What started as a Belfast merchant operation has since transformed into a modern, international agriscience group. John Gilbert, Chairman of the Openfolde Group and a fifth-generation descendant of the founder, reflected on this incredible evolution during the dinner, emphasizing the significance of celebrating where so much company history unfolded.

Mr. Gilbert shared, “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.” He added that the company's phenomenal sales performance in its anniversary year is a testament to its professionalism, purpose, strong values, and commitment to supporting sustainable land management for generations to come.

The anniversary year of 2025 was indeed a defining one for Openfolde, witnessing one of its strongest periods of performance with turnover in the £30 million range and profits exceeding £3 million. The Group has grown significantly, now employing over 100 people across six sites in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand, alongside partnerships in more than 25 countries globally.

Innovation remains at the core of Openfolde's strategy. This year saw the launch of its Climate Smart seed ranges and continued investment in its R&D division, Germinal Horizon's research capacity. William Gilbert, Managing Director of Openfolde, highlighted 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 the next century, our focus remains on innovation, sustainability and investment in the expertise that drives our progress.”

Returning to this historic Belfast location truly connected Openfolde's rich heritage with the exciting future they are building, reinforcing its deep roots within our city while making an impact across the globe.