Hansen Mürwik Bakery in Flensburg: Bankruptcy after 100 years!

Hansen Mürwik Bakery in Flensburg: Bankruptcy after 100 years!

The bakery chain Hansen Mürwik GmbH is facing a deeply painful turning point in its more than 100-year history. Last November 20, the company filed an application to open insolvency proceedings at the Flensburg District Court. This news not only shocked the region around Flensburg, but also highlights the current challenges in the bakery industry.

Hansen Mürwik, headquartered in Wees near Flensburg, operates eleven branches and employs a total of 145 people. The bankruptcy became necessary after the company suffered from increased energy and personnel costs as well as extensive modernization measures. Insolvency administrator Dr. Arno Doebert, an experienced restructuring expert, nevertheless expresses optimism and speaks of the company's operational profitability, which gives hope for the future. Employee wages and salaries are secured by insolvency money until the end of January 2026, which provides a certain level of security for the time being.

The bakery industry under pressure

However, this sad development is not an isolated case. Leifert Bakery, another German chain, has also filed for bankruptcy. This bakery with 40 branches will remain open for the time being and is planning an independent renovation process. Managing director Nils Leifert emphasizes that the range of baked goods and snacks remains available, although the company is struggling with similar challenges that affect the entire industry - including a weak economy and high raw material prices. According to reports, the industry has seen an increasing number of bankruptcies in recent years, indicating growing pressure in the market, as https://de.statista.com/statistics/data/studies/785898/umfrage/insolvenzverfahren-in-der-backwarenproduktion-in-deutschland/ shows.

A look at the statistics from 2008 to 2024 shows a worrying trend. Bakeries repeatedly had to give up the fight for survival because they could not keep up with the ever-increasing operating costs. This makes the situation extremely precarious for many companies involved in the production of baked goods.

Hope for improvement

Despite the challenging situation, Hansen Mürwik's insolvency administrator is optimistic and hopes for a viable solution for the company. This could mean that the bakery chain may be able to realign itself and overcome the challenges.

In summary, the Flensburg region faces an uncertain future as Hansen Mürwik and other bakeries fight for survival. But as concerns grow, in many places hearts beat for local bakeries that have been part of the community for generations and maintain hope for better times. In these difficult times, the question remains unanswered: What will happen to our beloved bakeries, which are associated with a lot of tradition and craftsmanship?