'This is an important appointment for us': Northern Ireland holding firm appoints new group operations chief
Jordon Hauge joins Openfolde in a newly created role as it looks to strengthen efficiency and customer service across its UK and Irish businesses
Northern Ireland holding firm Openfolde has appointed Jordon Hauge as its new Group head of operations, a senior role created to strengthen operational performance, quality, customer service and product delivery across the business.
The group includes Germinal and Germinal Amenity in the UK and Ireland.
Jordon brings almost 20 years’ experience in operations and engineering leadership, having worked in large-scale manufacturing in Ireland and the United States. An engineering graduate of the University of North Dakota, he has led teams through operational improvement, safety, investment and change programmes.
Openfolde managing director William Gilbert said the appointment came at a time when the group was focused on improving efficiency and customer responsiveness.
He explained: “I am delighted to welcome Jordon to the Openfolde Group as Group head of operations. This is an important appointment for us at a time when we are focused on making our logistics and operational processes as efficient and responsive to customers as possible.
Jordon brings a strong record of experience in operational leadership and lean manufacturing and will lead improvements in how we process, package, and distribute to customers across our agriculture, amenity and residential sectors.
“Working closely with our site managers in Lincoln, England, and Horse and Jockey in Tipperary, Jordon will help us build on the strong foundations our teams have already put in place. In due course he will also look at systems and processes across the wider business, ensuring the whole group is primed for further growth and continues to deliver the service our customers rely on.”
Jordon said: “I am excited to be joining Openfolde at such an important stage in the group’s development. Openfolde has great products, a strong reputation and committed people, and I am looking forward to working with the site teams to make our operations even stronger.”
Openfolde, which celebrated 200 years in business in 2025, is the parent group of Germinal in the UK and Ireland.
It develops and supplies climate-smart forage and amenity seed solutions for agriculture and professional amenity markets in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand, as well as through distribution partners internationally.
Its e-commerce brands, The Grass People and Lawnsmith, supply grass seed, wildflower seed and lawn care products, alongside expert advice for domestic and specialist customers.
The group’s research and development division, Germinal Horizon, is based at Aberystwyth University in Wales, where it develops plant traits and varieties to support more resilient and sustainable food production. These include Aber High Sugar Grass and DoubleRoot clover varieties.
clover varieties.