The Laurens Spethmann Holding (LSH) group

It all began in 1907. Laurens Janssen, a tea trader from the north of Germany along the Dutch border called Eastern Frisia, established the Ostfriesische Tee Gesellschaft (OTG or “East Frisian Tea Company”). This part of Germany now drinks nearly ten times more tea than the rest of the country.

In the 1950’s, the founder’s grandson and namesake, Laurens Spethmann, took over the company with the same determination as his grandfather. The port of Hamburg – "the Gateway to the World” – made it easier to ensure supply and prompted the company to move into tea packaging.

Marianne and Laurens Spethmann turn OTG into an international tea purveyor.

In 1969 OTG launched its own brand for the first time under the name of MILFORD, which was a resounding success. In 1972 the group’s international expansion resulted in the acquisition of a company in Austria which became "Milford Tee Austria". The group continued to expand over the years. OTG acquired several companies including Onno Behrends in 1988 and Messmer in 1990. In 1990 Pagès SA joined the OTG group.

OTG is now not only a leading player in the heart of the tea and herbal tea markets in Germany (with a 33.2% share of the market) but is also strengthening its international position and is present in over 30 countries.

OTG plans to expand sales and develop abroad, in particular in Russia, the Czech Republic and countries around Germany.

OTG Group highlights:
• LSH Turnover 2009 :
  510 Million €uros (44% export).
• 75 % Tea and Herbal tea
• 15 % Cereal
• 10 % Sweetener
• LSH Staff 2008 :
  1.500 persons (approximately 1.100 in Germany).

LSH group international subsidiaries

www.lsh-ag.de