Botanical PaperWorks changes hands, keeps environmental ‘heartbeat’

The new year has brought new ownership to a Winnipeg company known for making seed paper that grows when planted.

Botanical PaperWorks founder Heidi Reimer-Epp announced on Monday she had sold the company to local couple Kyle and Kayla Kannwischer for an undisclosed amount. Reimer-Epp, who has served as the company’s CEO for nearly three decades, will retain an investment stake in the company.

Kyle Kannwischer has stepped into the CEO role to oversee day-to-day operations; Reimer-Epp will remain under contract as a consultant through 2026 to ensure a smooth transition.

Botanical PaperWorks offers a variety of products made using biodegradable paper that’s manufactured in the company’s east Exchange District headquarters.

The paper is made from paper waste and is embedded with seeds. When the paper is planted in a pot of soil, the seeds grow and the paper composts away, leaving behind flowers, herbs or vegetables. Beyond seed paper, the company offers handmade soaps and soy, and coconut wax candles.

Botanical PaperWorks sells more than 1,300 products in 33 countries around the world. The company has 30 employees.

Reimer-Epp said she started the process of selling the business 11 months ago, after almost 30 years at the helm.

“I’ve absolutely loved it — it’s been my life’s work,” she said. “I think I’ve derived a lot of meaning from it, especially because we’re really committed to using business as a force for good with our sustainability and social responsibility focuses. But I felt like I was ready to hand it off to the next custodians of the business — the next leaders.”

The Kannwischers are chartered professional accountants with accounting and business degrees and a decade of experience in leadership roles. Kyle Kannwischer was previously the chief financial officer at a transport company.

“(We were) really, really impressed with the disciplined, methodical way that Heidi has built this business,” Kyle Kannwischer said. “And at the same time, you could sense a missional heartbeat for the staff, for the community (and) for the environment — something that was important to Kayla and I.”

“We’re excited to work with this team.”

Reimer-Epp and Kannwischer highlighted that despite the change in ownership, other aspects of the business will remain unchanged. The 30-person staff, long-time vendors and commitment to environmental sustainability remain intact.

“The company is strong and thriving right now and (they’re) taking that into the future,” Reimer-Epp said. “That’s one thing that makes me really excited as a seller and I think is exciting for them as buyers.”

“We were attracted to the company because of what they do, not in spite of what they do,” Kannwischer added. “We’re excited to work with this team.”

The Botanical PaperWorks story dates to the 1990s. Reimer-Epp’s mother, Mary Reimer, was a teacher at the time, and recycled her students’ waste paper into handmade paper.

She and Reimer-Epp, who is an alumnus of the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business, eventually started talking about a potential business, which they launched in 1997.

In May 2024, the company achieved B Corp certification following a rigorous, third-party evaluation.

Awarded by the U.S. organization B Lab (the “B” stands for “benefit”), the certification is reserved for businesses that meet certain standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

Among the achievements Botanical PaperWorks outlined in its 2024 impact report is the company’s average water usage is 0.79 litres per sheet of letter-size paper. The industry standard, the company noted, is 13 litres per letter-size sheet.

In July 2024, there were fewer than 10 businesses in Manitoba with B Corp certification, said Savanna Vagianos, instructor in sustainability at the Asper School of Business. Today, there are 16.

“It’s certainly a growing trend, absolutely,” Vagianos said. “And it’s becoming more well known by consumers as well.”

Vagianos studied Botanical PaperWorks while pursuing her master’s degree, and classified the company as one that follows SET (social and ecological thought) management practices.

“A social and ecological thought business is one that prioritizes people and the planet, or social and environmental well-being, over profit maximization,” Vagianos said, adding Botanical PaperWorks offers “unique and thoughtful and intentional” products.

Botanical PaperWorks will remain committed to social and environmental responsibility moving forward, Kannwischer said.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca