A big bang in the confectionery industry: Salzburg Schokolade, based in Grödig, filed for bankruptcy at the Salzburg Regional Court on Monday, confirmed the GPA Salzburg union.
For union leader Michael Huber, the application from the traditional company, which is also known for its Mirabell Mozartkugeln, comes as a “surprise”. As early as Tuesday, the trade unionists want to discuss the situation with the works council and company management and inform the employees. So far, staff and customers are said to have only been informed of the bankruptcy by email. It is currently unclear whether operations will continue – around 140 jobs are on the brink shortly before Christmas. Corona pandemic and “significant” cost increases In the letter, the reasons say that the company was hit hard by the corona pandemic from 2020. Managing director Christian Schügerl sees the reasons for the decline in sales in the absence of tourists and the absence of events as well as larger ones Birthday and wedding celebrations. Confectionery shops in Vienna and Salzburg have been closed for weeks due to the lack of tourists. Another significant loss is imminent Despite new customers in the export business and the state Corona aid, a significant loss will be made again this year, as in the previous year. “The current one Lockdown and significant increases in the cost of raw materials, energy, wages, logistics costs and packaging materials were further reasons, “continued Schügerl. He therefore filed for bankruptcy. According to the economic compass, sales for 2019 amounted to 28.72 million euros. Figures for the first Corona -Year 2020 were initially unknown. Salzburg Schokolade is not only known for sweets for the end consumer – for example its brands Bobby Schokoriegel, “Maria Theresia” -Taler and Salzburg Confisérie. The long-established company also produces the “Real Salzburg Mozartkugel” from Mirabell exclusively for the US company Mondelez. In addition, the company supplies bulk consumers such as bakeries and confectioners under the brand “nordpol” semi-finished products such as nougat, marzipan, couvertures, waffles or glazes. Plant in the Czech Republic not affected by bankruptcy The company was founded in the city of Salzburg in 1897 under the name Rajsigl-Süßwarenfabrik and relocated 1956 all to Grödig. After several changes of ownership, the majority of the shares have been owned by Philipp Harmer Beteiligungs-GmbH since 2014, while Schügerl holds a small stake in the company. Salzburg Chocolate also has a plant in the Czech Republic that specializes in the packaging of confectionery and food and is not affected by the bankruptcy, according to the managing director.
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