Entity

Founded in 1990 by Anglo-American entrepreneur A. Gary Klesch, the Klesch Group is an independent industrial commodities and energy group specialising in the acquisition and operational turnaround of refining and heavy industrial assets. The Group's core strategy is to invest in assets operating below their full potential and generate long-term value through disciplined investment, operational optimisation, and commodity hedging. In 2023, the Group reported a turnover of approximately €8.5 billion.

Refining Operations

Klesch is primarily active in European downstream oil refining, processing over 65 million barrels of crude oil per year across its refinery portfolio. Prior to the pending Gelsenkirchen acquisition, it operated two European refineries: the Heide Refinery in Hemmingstedt, Germany (~5 million tonnes/year), and the Kalundborg Refinery in Denmark. When completed, the acquisition of the Gelsenkirchen complex (Horst and Scholven) from BP will significantly expand its German footprint and make it one of Germany's largest refinery operators.

Organisation & People

The Group employs over 1,000 people across locations in Switzerland, the UK, Denmark, and Germany. It is privately owned and chaired by its founder Gary Klesch, who retains full ownership. The organisation is described as meritocratic and agile, with a lean corporate centre and operationally focused management teams at each refinery site.