Member in Focus: Steinegger Gartenpark GbR
Rheinfelden, Deutschland
The family-owned business Steinegger Baumschulen GbR was founded in 1975. Over the years, the family developed a container nursery covering around 7 hectares in total. At the Steineggers Gartenpark garden center, customers can find potted garden plants, most of which come from the company’s own production.
Steinegger Gartenpark at a glance
To us, our members are more than just numbers and facts.
The container nursery covers a total area of approximately 7 hectares. The main focuses of production are Indianerflieder®, roses, cherry laurel, and fruit trees and shrubs. The business was founded by Christine and Bernd Steinegger, and was handed over to their children Sabine and Matthias in 2018.
Rheinfelden
Deutschland
Questions for getting to know each other.
What matters to our members matters to us, too.
Matthias Steinegger
Owner Steinegger Gartenpark GbR
1. What are your functions and responsibilities, and how long have you been doing this job?
In a way, I have always worked in our family business. I joined officially in 2010. In 2018, I took over the tree nursery from my parents together with my sister.
2. What emotion(s) do you associate with your work?
I enjoy the variety my job offers, as well as the benefits of work that isn’t tied to a fixed wage. I am on the move all day; sometimes I cover 20 to 40 km a day.
3. In your view, what makes your company special?
Having grown up in a family of gardeners, plants have always been a part of my life. Our customers, who appreciate the high quality of our products, sense this special connection. We are particularly well-known for our Indianerflieder® (crepe myrtle), with its long-lasting summer blooms.
4. Who are your customers and where can your products be found?
Specialist retailers and wholesalers are among our key customers. Private individuals can purchase our plants at our garden center or in our online shop.
5. What challenges are you currently facing in your daily life?
To ensure redundant operational reliability, we have just installed a second pumping system. Dealing with bureaucracy and keeping up with constantly changing EU directives takes up a great deal of time. Finding new employees also demands a significant amount of our attention.
6. Which risks do you consider particularly critical for your business operations?
Extreme weather conditions pose a significant threat to our plants. It has already hailed four times in our area this year, though fortunately, we sustained no damage. Due to climate change, plants are reacting differently than we are accustomed to, and we need to adapt to this. Water scarcity is also a major concern for us.
7. Has your company ever experienced a loss event, and if so, what did it entail?
Last year, we had a minor technical failure. Before that, we had two major instances of damage, both caused by hail.
8. How have you perceived the support provided by Gartenbau-Versicherung so far?
For decades, we were looked after by Martin Westermann—I had known him since I was a small child. That was really great. We are also very happy with his successor, Mr. Schneider. I like the system involving the appraisers. I serve as a volunteer appraiser for fruit trees and roses myself; it allows you to get to know other operations and gain new perspectives.
9. What request do you have for the horticultural insurance company?
None, really—everything is fine.
