Expanding the Boundaries of the Organic Oil Business

Interview with Sarah Baensch, Managing Director

Behind every product stands a dedicated team. With around 80 employees, Ölmühle Solling has created a culture built on trust, continuity and shared responsibility – values that have shaped the company’s development for 30 years and continue to drive its future success.

Organic food, sustainability and conscious nutrition are becoming increasingly important to consumers around the world. For 30 years, Ölmühle Solling GmbH has been combining traditional craftsmanship with organic expertise, offering a broad portfolio of oils, specialty foods and nutritional supplements. In this interview, Managing Director Sarah Baensch talks about the company’s journey from a small family business to one of Germany’s leading organic oil producers, the role of digitalization and AI, its commitment to sustainability, and the vision for the next generation.

European Business: Ms. Baensch, Ölmühle Solling has grown from a small organic oil
mill into a well-established brand. How did it all begin?

Sarah Baensch: My parents, Gudrun and Werner Baensch, founded the company in 1996 after returning from China, where my father worked as a food technologist. Starting with three organic oils – rapeseed, linseed and sunflower oil – they built the business on a commitment to organic quality and the values of true organic pioneers. We have been a Naturland partner ever since. Today, my brother Sebastian and I run the company in the 2. generation and are celebrating our 30th anniversary with a large mill festival at our headquarters.

European Business: How is the company structured today?

Sarah Baensch: My brother and I each hold 50% of the company and took over management seven years ago. Our parents still advise us informally. We employ around 80 people and generate close to 20 million EUR in annual revenue. A major milestone was the move into our purpose-built production facility in 2018, which created the capacity for further growth.

European Business: What products and services define your business?

Sarah Baensch: Our core business remains cold-pressed organic oils, but our portfolio has expanded significantly. Today, we offer around 250 products, including seasoning oils, vinegars, pestos, protein-rich flours, natural cosmetics, animal nutrition and food supplements. Omega-3 products and other nutritional supplements are currently among our fastest-growing categories.

European Business: What makes Ölmühle Solling different from other producers?

Sarah Baensch: Our combination of product diversity, craftsmanship and organic expertise is unique. While many competitors focus on a limited range, we offer a broad portfolio of specialized products. At the same time, we combine quality, transparency and authenticity with the continuity of a family-owned company whose employees often stay with us for decades.

Driven by organic expertise: Every Ölmühle Solling product reflects a commitment to natural ingredients, careful craftsmanship and uncompromising quality.

European Business: Which markets and customer groups do you serve?

Sarah Baensch: Germany remains our most important market. We serve health-conscious consumers through our online shop, organic and specialty food retailers, selected food retailers and private-label customers. Exports account for around 15% of sales, with activities across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as the Benelux countries, Scandinavia and even Taiwan.

European Business: How important are marketing, digitalization and AI for your business?

Sarah Baensch: Our online shop has become our most important sales channel, supported by content marketing, newsletters, digital advertising and social media. Beyond e-commerce, our website serves as a valuable knowledge platform featuring recipes, product information and expert content. We maintain a strong presence at industry events such as Biofach and its regional counterparts across Germany. Digitalization plays an important role throughout the company, from production and logistics to quality management and administration. We also use AI-supported tools for forecasting, analytics and marketing.

European Business: Sustainability has always been part of your positioning. How do you put it into
practice?

Sarah Baensch: Sustainability has been part of our DNA since day one. It starts with organic raw materials and long-term relationships with farmers and continues through our Naturland Fair certification and regional value creation. For us, sustainability combines ecological, social and economic responsibility, and we aim to keep as much of the value chain as possible at our own site.

European Business: What are your goals for the coming years, and what motivates you personally?

Sarah Baensch: We want to further strengthen our brand, expand direct customer relationships and
develop international markets. Our long-term ambition is to become Germany’s best-known organic oil mill. Our focus is not growth at any price, but stability, process optimization and resilience in an increasingly challenging market environment shaped by economic uncertainty, digital ransformation and AI-driven change. Internally, we foster a culture of respect, open communication and close collaboration. A first-name culture and regular company-wide meetings help keep everyone connected and engaged. Personally, I am motivated by the opportunity to preserve the values my parents established,
work with a dedicated team and combine tradition with innovation for the next generation.