Dresden: Grundmann’s traditional Dresden bakery is insolvent

Dresden. The bankruptcy of the Eisold bakery chain caused a stir in Dresden in 2019. However, the Eisolds have now been saved. Now, however, the next traditional company must file for bankruptcy.

“With the decision of the Dresden district court, insolvency proceedings have been opened on the assets of Grundmanns Bäckerei GmbH,” writes the law firm Beck Rechtsanwälte – Wirtschaftskanzlei on its website. The bankruptcy court has appointed lawyer Thomas Beck as bankruptcy trustee. This is confirmed by the spokeswoman of the district court Birgit Keeve. “I cannot provide any information on the amount involved and creditors due to the non-public procedure,” she says.

The bakery was taken over in 2020

There is still nothing to read about bankruptcy on the bakery website. On the contrary, the history of the company and the craftsmanship is emphasized there – and the future. “Since 1907, now in the third generation, we have been cooking according to a consolidated tradition and with a lot of passion.” Dietrich Grundmann, who since 1970 has continued the tradition as the youngest son, heralded a new era and combined it with modern technology.

The bakery is located on Krenkelstraße in Striesen. According to the company, the team has been made up of experienced bakers and pastry chefs for many years. “Since the acquisition by the Al Dente Group in November 2020, the traditional company will continue to stand on the legs of a stable baker in the future,” continues the website. But the company has apparently not developed as stable as hoped.

Ronald Pohl, managing director of the Al Dente Group, says, however, that every employee has always received his salary. Most recently, an annual report for the financial year 2019 was published.

Filing for bankruptcy in July

The bankruptcy trustee is now responsible. Commercial operations will continue after the proceedings are opened, he says. Grundmanns Bäckerei GmbH had already declared bankruptcy on 25 July. The Dresden District Court ruled on 1 September. The company has now been insolvent or threatened with insolvency for nearly six weeks.

Krause Bakery takes over Grundmann Bakery

Six weeks in which the search for an investor was successful: When asked by Sächsische.de, the bankruptcy administrator Thomas Beck confirmed that the bakery Krause would take over the bakery and all employees from October 15, if they so wished. Beck does not want to comment on the exact figures and the number of creditors “with reference to a non-public procedure”. “I am very happy that the Krause bakery is taking over,” continued Beck.

A master baker at the bakery, who doesn’t want his name published, confirms financial worries. “In November 2019, entrepreneur and master baker Dietrich Grundmann, active in the third generation, sold his well-run craft business with a heavy heart and after a few attempts due to his old age,” he says. Today he is 78 years old and has been running the bakery since 1970. At the beginning of April, however, the salaries were not paid, despite the good order situation from delivery customers and local customers, he continued the foreman.

Since April, the salary has not been paid

The workforce includes ten employees and two trainees, some of whom have been working there since 1995. “We are all very sad,” says the master baker. Dietrich Grundmann himself now wishes to have his bakery back, his life’s job, his employees say. All customers are very sorry that the pastry will probably no longer be continued in the known state.