Our history
What is today a strong player in the European mushroom chain once started with local initiatives and entrepreneurship. Through smart investments, cooperation and continuous development, Walkro grew into an organisation with several locations and a strong position in the chain.
That growth did not come all at once, but step by step. Below are the key moments that shaped Walkro into the company it is today.
1991 - Establishment of Walkro
Together with the three Walraven brothers, Kees van der Kroon founds the compost company Walkro in Maasmechelen, Belgium. Walkro starts phase 2/3 production.
1994 - Phase 1 expansion
After several trips around the world, Walkro is building a new concept phase 1, providing for total mushroom substrate production.
2000 - Acquisition of various companies
By acquiring compost company Theeuwen in Blitterswijck, the Netherlands, and the Pilshof production site in Wallhausen, Germany, Walkro doubled its capacity. Backward integration of raw material companies Corsten and Kerkhofs also secured raw material supplies.
2007 – Another expansion and acquisition
Expansions in Blitterswijck and the takeover of tunnel company Nooijen were followed by the construction of tunnel company Walkro 3 in Maasmechelen and the takeover of raw materials company J. de Kleijn in Venlo. The tunnel company Horst Compost is also taken over.
2014 - expansion of phase 1 and package line
After one year of construction, the new tunnel facility Indoor 2, with a capacity of 9,000 tonnes phase 1 per week, will be commissioned in Maasmechelen at the end of 2014. Investments are also being made to modernise and expand the parcel line for the increasing demand for containerised substrate exports.