Oetker Group buys traditional brand Kathi – That’s changing now!

Oetker Group buys traditional brand Kathi – That’s changing now!

The Oetker Group has taken a further step in its expansion strategy: It is planning to take over the traditional manufacturer Kathi from Halle (Saale). The contracts had already been signed and the Bielefeld group will not only take over the production site in Halle, but also all of its employees. Kathi is particularly well known for baking mixes and flours, especially in East Germany, and has over 70 years of experience in the industry since it was founded in 1951. It was agreed not to disclose the purchase price, which is not uncommon in such deals in order not to reveal significant details. The [Nordwest Zeitung](https://www.nw.de/nachrichten/wirtschaft/24137609_Oetker-Gruppe-uebernahme-Backmittel- Manufacturer-aus-Halle-Saale.html) reports that Kathi will continue to be run independently under the management of managing director Marco Thiele and that everything will remain the same for customers.

The takeover step is part of the Oetker Group's strategy to strengthen its market position in the areas of baking mixes and cake specialties. Managing director Carl Oetker sees Kathi as an ideal partner who fits well with the values ​​and goals of the family business. This was also confirmed by Marco Thiele, who cited the difficult economic conditions and the challenging market environment as reasons for the sale. These factors have forced many companies in the food industry to take new paths in recent years.

A look at the food industry

The German food industry is a central part of the manufacturing sector and generates sales of around 205 billion euros. The manufacturers of food and feed, excluding beverages, are an important pillar of our economy. Companies like Südzucker, Bahlsen and Dr. Oetker play a crucial role in this. In 2023, there were around 5,559 companies in the industry with over 20 employees, with the majority of these companies being small and medium-sized. Particular attention is also paid to baking and pasta production, which has the highest investment volume in the sector, which is of great importance for the Oetker Group and the takeover of Kathi.

The takeover of Kathi represents a strategic opportunity for the Bielefeld company to further expand its innovation potential in the baking segment. This means that improved production methods and new products could not only serve existing markets, but also attract new customers. The Oetker Group is already an important provider in the food trade and sees itself well positioned to further conquer this sector. The food sector is characterized by high investments and strong international networks, which shows that there is a lot of potential here.

The takeover of Kathi by the Oetker Group is therefore viewed as a win-win situation for both companies. The traditional company will be preserved and can continue its legacy in Germany's baking culture, while Oetker can expand its product range and strengthen its market share.

The change in ownership is unlikely to change anything for consumers, which is also helped by clear communication from the company. In this way, the traditional Kathi brand remains firmly anchored in the region and at the same time becomes part of a larger company that can offer it promising prospects, while MDV talks about the positive development in the baked goods industry.

These developments make it clear that there is still a lot of room for growth and innovation in the food industry, especially in the baked goods segment.