Traditional bakery in Thuringia on the verge of extinction: over 130 years of history in danger!

Traditional bakery in Thuringia on the verge of extinction: over 130 years of history in danger!

In the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district, a traditional bakery that has existed for over 130 years is attracting attention. Under the leadership of Alexander K., the fifth generation to run the company, the signs are pointing to farewell. K. plans to close the family business at the end of 2023, which is a difficult step not only for him, but also for the entire region, where the bakery is an important institution. How thueringen24.de reports, K. has had to overcome numerous challenges in recent years, including bureaucratic hurdles, the increasing shortage of skilled workers and economic burdens. The baking team has currently shrunk to just three employees, compared to six times as many.

The situation in the baked goods industry is not an isolated case. According to the NGG union and the Hans Böckler Foundation, current analyzes show that the industry is undergoing structural change and that more and more small bakeries are having to close. The information service rbb24.de shows that unpleasant working hours and high energy costs also contribute. Matthias Hillmann, who ran a family business for 91 years, had to close his bakery, reflecting the sad reality of many businesses.

Background of the decline

The shortage of skilled workers plays a major role in this negative trend. A study has shown that the proportion of part-time workers among employees subject to social security contributions has increased from 30% to 39%. 86% of employees say they suffer from high time pressure and stress, which makes working conditions even more difficult. Also boeckler.de highlights that around 20,000 jobs have been lost in the bakery trade since 2014.

The challenges for the industry are diverse. High investment costs and the dominance of large chain stores and the bread industry are putting a strain on small businesses. In addition, only 14% of trainees have the prospect of being taken on, which leads to the uncertainty of many in the industry. In order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers, some companies have expanded their recruiting strategies and are specifically looking for new talent in Southeast Asia and North Africa.

Future prospects

While the industry's total turnover rose to 21.8 billion euros in 2023, the decline in businesses remains alarming. In the last ten years, an estimated 30% of bakeries in Germany closed. K. himself criticizes the high tax burden and plans to hand over his business to a successor, although this is currently uncertain. There have been reports of a slight increase in apprentice numbers in recent months, but whether this will be enough to stop the slump remains to be seen.

Given these developments, it could be crucial for the industry to improve its employer image and optimize working conditions. This is the only way to attract talented young people to the bakery trade and also to preserve traditional businesses. Alexander K.'s bakery represents the struggle of many small bakeries that are fighting for their existence while the bread rolls on the shelves have to be kept fresh.