Traditional bakery in Brotterode closes after over 130 years!

Traditional bakery in Brotterode closes after over 130 years!

The baking culture in Germany is facing fundamental changes. In the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district there is a risk of losing another traditional business: a bakery that has existed for over 130 years is about to close. Its operator, Alexander K., is the fifth generation to run the business and has collected numerous awards over the years, including gold medals for his Stollen. However, K. announces that the bakery's doors will remain closed forever at the end of the year. thueringen24.de reports that this is not just a personal decision, but also the result of numerous challenges for small businesses.

The manager works from 2 a.m. to 12 hours a day, but the pizza stand isn't the only reason for the impending closure. Bureaucratic hurdles, a shortage of skilled workers and increasing economic burdens are putting more and more craft businesses in distress. There are currently only three employees working in the bakery, which means a drastic decline from the previous six times as many employees. Although Alexander K. plans to hand over the business to a successor, this is not yet certain.

A worrying trend

Bakeries in Germany are increasingly struggling with extensive problems. According to an analysis by rbb24.de The bakery trade is particularly affected by structural change. More and more businesses are being forced to close their doors while the service industry is booming. Matthias Hillmann, a former operator of a family business, had to take the step after 91 years. The reasons for this - the lack of skilled personnel, high investment costs and the burden of unpleasant working hours - remain unchanged for many bakers.

A quarter of trainees now have a migrant background, a development that is seen as an opportunity. Positive experiences with recruiting skilled workers from Southeast Asia, such as those experienced by Maximilian Jansen, managing director of a café in Berlin, could potentially offer a way out of the crisis. His café has already integrated 14 trainees from Vietnam and Indonesia. Boeckler.de shows that there are ways and means to improve working conditions and to expand recruitment to a broader field.

The challenges of the bakery trade

The current situation is alarming: Over the last ten years, the number of bakeries in Germany has fallen by 30 percent. At the same time, the industry's total sales increased to 21.8 billion euros in 2023, which shows that consumption remains stable despite declining businesses. Nevertheless, 86 percent of employees report high time pressure and a lack of personnel - a development that has a strong impact on the industry's overall structure.

The first measures to improve working conditions, such as shifting from night to day work, have already been implemented in some companies. But to effectively combat the skills shortage, more comprehensive strategies are necessary. The employer must actively strive to create a better image in order to increase the attractiveness of the bakery trade and attract potential new applicants.