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After bankruptcy, a well-known traditional bakery has to close its branches in October and lay off all employees. Some hope remains.
Laupheim – The difficulties faced by many companies in Germany continue in other sectors. Various traditional companies have to file for bankruptcy. Among other things, a well-known bicycle manufacturer is bankrupt. Furthermore, an auction following the bankruptcy of a well-known fashion giant makes just as much waves as the closure of a traditional bakery. In addition to the insolvent bakery chain, which operates 120 branches throughout Germany, there is another veteran in Baden-Württemberg that has to at least partially give up after a failed insolvency procedure – even if there remains a glimmer of hope.
Traditional bakery has been insolvent since April: all branches are closed for the time being and employees are laid off
After the bankruptcy in April, the lights went out at the traditional Laupheim bakery Mäschle on October 1st. That’s what she reports Swabian newspaper. “The aim was to renovate the bakery using our own resources,” explains insolvency administrator Florian Schiller from Pluta Rechtsanwalts GmbH, who oversaw the failed insolvency proceedings.
The mortgage caused by the closures during the Corona pandemic and the skyrocketing prices for raw materials and energy had put the bakery in trouble, from which the insolvent traditional company was subsequently unable to recover. Master baker Christian Mäschle had already done this in the spring Swabian newspaper explained. At the beginning of the month, all branches of the traditional bakery from Laupheim were initially closed and all employees were laid off.
Large traditional bakery files for bankruptcy in April: restructuring remains unsuccessful
He and his brother Harald took over the company from their father in 1996. “The Mäschle bakery has been struggling for several years, like many medium-sized bakeries are currently,” explains administrator Schiller, explaining the plight of the insolvent traditional bakery. Nevertheless, the goal was set in the spring to get the bakery back on track by fall at the latest.
A traditional bakery in Baden-Württemberg is fighting for survival after bankruptcy. Now there is at least some hope for the workforce. (Symbolic photo). © IMAGO/onemorepicture/Thorsten Wagner
However, the hoped-for success did not materialize. Sales increased at the beginning. “But despite the efforts, it was not possible to get the company out of trouble using our own resources,” says lawyer Michael Winterhoff, who acted as restructuring representative for the insolvent bakery from Baden-Württemberg. “Sales were too low to generate sustainable profits in the long term.”
Traditional bakery from Baden-Württemberg is insolvent: “Continuation of operations is not possible”
With the approval of the creditors’ committee, it was decided to convert the self-administered proceedings into regular insolvency proceedings. “Continuing operations with losses is not possible in insolvency proceedings,” explains administrator Schiller. Both Schiller and Winterhoff emphasize their desire to create as many jobs as possible after the insolvency to obtain.
About two weeks ago, according to the Swabian then found out from the insolvency administrator that the self-administration proceedings would not be continued. He then developed an investment plan and submitted an offer. With this plan, Mäschle wanted to continue operating the bakery with almost all employees and six of the 14 branches so far.
After traditional companies go bankrupt: Bakery has to close all branches – “Completely run over”
Christian Mäschle found out on Monday, September 30th that this wasn’t going to happen. “At 1:30 p.m. I received information from the insolvency administrator in the bakery that we would no longer be opening on Tuesday,” says Mäschle about the short-term news about his insolvent traditional bakery. “I was completely run over.”
At the works meeting in the evening, which was chaired by insolvency administrator Florian Schiller, the mood was very depressed, “sometimes it got emotional and quite loud,” said Mäschle. “The situation has become more severe, and the cessation of operations on September 30th was therefore unavoidable,” explained Schiller.
Glimmer of hope for insolvent traditional bakery: six branches are reopening and many employees are still employed
While a Traditional bakery seals the end for 34 branches and an insolvent food start-up unexpectedly had to declare bankruptcy, there is a silver lining at least for the insolvent traditional baker from Baden-Württemberg. Because according to information from… SWR Apparently part of the investment plan is now going to be implemented. Accordingly, Mäschle plans to reopen six of the 14 branches from Thursday (October 10th). Apparently 100 of the 120 employees will continue to be employed. The bakeries in Laupheim, Erbach, Warthausen and Schemmerhofen will remain.
In addition, there should also be hope for the other eight branches of the insolvent traditional baker. The Ulm bakery Staib is said to have already submitted an offer to take over parts of the company. “We are currently in discussions with the insolvency administrator,” says company boss Marcus Staib when asked Swabian newspaper. Staib emphasizes that he is very interested in finding a compromise that satisfies most of those involved. Florian Schiller also confirms these discussions: “It’s not settled yet, but I’m confident that we’ll come to a solution.” According to the SWR have already come, even if no details are yet known.
