Bakery Leifert in Gifhorn files for bankruptcy – what now?

Bakery Leifert in Gifhorn files for bankruptcy – what now?

The Leifert bakery chain from Gifhorn, Lower Saxony, is currently causing a stir in the region. As the District newspaper reports, the traditional company, which was founded in 1950, has filed for bankruptcy. With 40 branches and around 220 employees, Leifert is an important part of regional life. Despite the difficult circumstances, the branches will remain open and the usual range will be offered in the usual quality.

The decision to file for bankruptcy came after a series of challenges that have become typical for many bakeries. High energy costs, increased raw material prices and a weak economic environment are affecting the industry. This also affected the Leifert bakery, which is not the only one fighting for its existence in this time of crisis. According to managing director Nils Leifert, the company is being supported by a judicial restructuring process under self-administration, which aims to adapt the company's structure to current market conditions and to ensure long-term competitiveness.

Current measures and future prospects

The Gifhorn District Court has already approved the management's application and ordered temporary self-administration. Despite the insolvency situation, the old management remains responsible, supported by external restructuring experts. The provisional administrator Dr. Malte Köster's job is to manage the process in the interests of the creditors. An important concern is to secure the company's liquidity and develop prospects for the future.

But the situation is not an isolated case. The entire Bakery industry Germany is undergoing profound change. In the last ten years, a third of the traditional bakery businesses have closed. A shortage of skilled workers and a high workload are putting a strain on the industry, which is also affecting the training situation. Companies are increasingly finding themselves forced to change their recruiting practices and are expanding their search radius to include Southeast Asia and North Africa.

Another problem has emerged in connection with Leifert's insolvency: 86 percent of employees report high time pressure and stress, while 73 percent of trainees are unsure whether they will find a job after their training. The industry situation is not only a challenge for Leifert, but also poses massive problems for the entire baked goods industry.

A look into the future

The Leifert Bakery will now work on solutions with the support of legal advisors and experts in order to continue operations at the usual high quality while at the same time overcoming the ongoing challenges. Hopes rest on the independent restructuring process, which should not only help secure jobs, but also aim to lead the family business into a more stable future. In these uncertain times, it remains to be seen whether it will be possible to preserve the tradition of baking in Gifhorn.