In 1948, the flower buyers Frans Kiel, Joost Leeuwenburg and Jan Mooten started the company KLM's Bloemen. A few years later, partner Frans Kiel bade the company farewell, following which it continued under the name of Leeuwenburg & Mooten (L&M).

In 1979, Joost Leeuwenburg (junior) and Wil Boogaards took the helm. Together, they made the forward-looking decision to be the reliable link between growers and customers, relieving both parties of the risk in doing so. By guaranteeing sales and delivery and optimally linking growers and customers, L&M added maximum value.

John Celie and his brother-in-law took over his father's nursery together. When John decided to try his hand at something new, he came into contact with retail through various jobs as a buyer/seller. He continued to feel the pull of entrepreneurship, however, and founded Celieplant in 1994. John was motivated to make a difference internationally with Celieplant.

Celieplant developed into a leading supplier of garden and house plants to major retailers in Europe. Innovation was key, and new concepts were developed that are still present on supermarket shelves today. Celieplant was one of the first in our sector to connect retailers with growers.

In 2002 Celieplant became part of the DFG. Ten years later, John bought back all the shares in order to regain his entrepreneurial freedom. This is how the Groenland holding came into being in 2012.

In 2013 and 2017 fully sustainable business premises were constructed on Japanlaan in Aalsmeer. Sustainable business operations are firmly anchored in Groenland's activities. The impact on people and the environment weighs heavily for Groenland when making choices. The aim is to establish a sustainable foundation for the future.

From 2013 onwards, the company, headed by Jan Willem Leeuwenburg, was firmly put on the international map, and sustainability in business operations became increasingly important. This has resulted in new partnerships and a continuous drive to improve the chain. More than five years later Joost resigned as shareholder and the family business was subsequently fully owned by his sons Jan Willem, Danny and Lennard Leeuwenburg.

In 2016 and the years that followed, L&M took over various companies and started new partnerships. As a result, L&M Groep became a leading company.

Groenland has continued to grow thanks to the acquisition of Bouquetnet in 2012, Greenpackers and Bloominess in 2017 and Spira in 2019. Groenland's companies understand the needs of European retailers. With their knowledge of category management and data from the market, they know how to add maximum value in a socially committed and sustainable way.

From 2016 to 2020 L&M Groep acquired several companies. VE, Waxed Roses Sensations and Flowerfactory were acquired in 2016, ZAMI in 2018, and Lilies Direct in 2020. The companies within the L&M Groep work closely together and operate a worldwide network of growers thanks to whom every segment of the market can be supplied with a complete assortment of flowers. Because all companies reinforce each other, L&M can optimally respond to customers' wishes and needs.

One Flora group was created in 2022 out of a merger between Groenland and L&M Groep. One Flora Group capitalised on the scaling up and professionalisation that was happening in the floriculture sector. By optimally deploying the sourcing of the L&M Groep and the commercial network of Groenland, the group realised an optimal floriculture chain. One Flora Group became one of the main players in the floriculture sector.