Short Timeline
It started more than 90 years ago, with a wide range of flowers, garden products and vegetable to the local market in the Danish city Aarhus.
In 1960 the second generation specialized the company to produce cut flowers / bouquets and expanded the market to all of Denmark.
In 1985 the third generation changed the assortment to pot plants, and Hibiscus became an important part of the products line, while Europe at the same time became a part of the market.
Today Graff Growing since 1930® and it's sister company Graff Breeding® A/S work with the team of knowledgeable and motivated staff to provide consumers with even greater experiences with their Hibiscus.
We hope that more than 90 years of experience in the flower industry has provided us with the adaptability and capabilities that will enable us to be a part of the "Global Flower Industry" for another 90 years.
Our History
Graff Growing A/S was founded in 1930 in Hasle near Aarhus by Aage and Inger Graff Kristensen (First Generation). Production at that time was a wide range of horticultural products sold to the local market in Aarhus. In 1946 came the first small specialization and focus on cut Carnations. Later on the pot plant Calceolaria emerged, which also marked the early beginning of Graff Kristensen A/S's breeding history, due to Aage Graff's development of the Calceolaria Mona-branch in seeds and plants alike.
In the early 1960s, Erik and Doris Graff Kristensen (Second Generation) took over the company. The production then specialized in Euphorbia Fulgens and Chrysanthemum cut flowers. In the 1970s Graff Kristensen A/S started the relocation from the old business address in Hasle to the current location in Sabro with the purchase of 15 ha and 4000 m2 nursery. This transformation brought Graff Kristensen A/S products further out, and the market was enlarged to all of Denmark.
In 1985, all activities were collected at the current address in Sabro west of Aarhus. This was also the year when the first son of Erik and Doris (Poul Graff) joined the management as CEO and partner. With him the production changed and specialized in Hibiscus and the market expanded to Europe. In 1991 the youngest of their sons (Gert Graff) joined the family business as CPO and partner as well.
In 1999 came the first subsidiary company within the corporation as Graff Kraftvarme ApS which produces clean energy as heat and electricity. In 2007 the second subsidiary company, Graff Breeding® A/S, was founded as an independent breeding company. The main targets are breeding, research and development of Hibiscus and other flowers and the market for the new genetics are now worldwide. In 2010 this lead to the creation of the HibisQs® trademark as an innovative part of the future for Hibiscus and Graff Growing A/S partners.
For more information about Graff Breeding® A/S, please visit www.Graff-Breeding.com
Today Gert and Poul Graff (Third Generation) are managing Graff Growing A/S together with a highly skilled and motivated management team. Main products are still Hibiscus and seasonal crops have been a part of the production.
