Menrad schließt in Schwäbisch Gmünd: 100 Jobs in Gefahr!

Menrad schließt in Schwäbisch Gmünd: 100 Jobs in Gefahr!

The glasses manufacturer Menrad, who is based in Schwäbisch Gmünd, faces an uncertain future after the company filed for bankruptcy on March 31, 2025. In the meantime, the district court of Aalen has accepted the application and employed lawyer Florian Zistler as a preliminary insolvency administrator. However, the company continues for the time being, and the salary payments for the 115 employees at the headquarters are secured for three months by the bankruptcy money. Zistler sees opportunities for a renovation and underlines that the corporate structure is stable. The aim is to win an investor or strategic partner. However, the company closures in the region increase, which makes the situation even more complicated, since high operating costs and declining orders consider Menrad considerably.

The bankruptcy did not come without warning. Runs of sales and a high cost level ensured that Menrad could no longer work profitably. In particular, the weak economy in the overall economy and the challenges in the optics industry have contributed to the current situation. Like BleitTicker.info reported, the paragraph of glasses in Germany in 2021 in 2023 in 2023, which the already tense Market situation further tightened.

location closure and employee affairs

A central step in the handling is the closure of the location in Schwäbisch Gmünd, where about 100 employees lose their workplace. Insolvency administrator Zistler informs that a core team of around 30 employees is still available to support the process processing. The future of the property in Bettringen is unclear because decisions have to be made in coordination with the banks. The office location in Munich will not continue to exist in terms of four other employees. The foreign locations are also affected by the uncertainty, whereby possible solutions are considered.

The Danish Investor Design Eyewear Group has already signaled that he takes over ten sales representatives and acquires important brand license rights. However, this takeover does not affect the Menrad brand itself, which increases the uncertainty about the future of the traditional brand. The brands adopted include big names like Jaguar, Joop! and Morgan.

market developments and industry under pressure

In a broader context, Menrad is not the only company that has to struggle with bankruptcies. The entire optics industry suffers from a difficult economic climate that is characterized by rising energy costs and stagnating demand. The annual statistics show that the bankruptcies in the German market have increased continuously since 2022. At the end of 2024, Germany has had the highest level of bankruptcies since 2016, which adds up to a total of 22,400 insolvent companies. This negative development affects not only large companies, but also numerous micro-farms and self-employed in the industry, such as optikernetz.de analyzed.

Menrad, founded in 1896, has a long tradition in the production of glasses and was active for over 129 years. In view of the current developments, it remains to be seen whether the company can regain its position in the market or whether further adjustment measures are necessary to counter the challenges of the industry. The next few months will be decisive for how things will go with the Menrad brand and its former employees.