Factory closure is imminent
Porcelain manufacturer Rosenthal is fighting for its future
Fine porcelain for the fine table – that’s what the traditional Rosenthal company stands for. But the manufacturer is in crisis. What’s next?
The traditional porcelain manufacturer Rosenthal is in crisis and may have to close one of its two production facilities. Discussions are currently underway between management and the union, a spokeswoman said. “The content of the current negotiations is to focus on just one production facility, which will produce on a smaller scale. Which factory will be retained is part of the further negotiations.”
Rosenthal wanted to continue to hold on to Germany as a production location, it said. The realignment will “result in job cuts”. The company currently produces in Selb (Wunsiedel district in the Fichtelgebirge) and Speichersdorf (Bayreuth district). Rosenthal currently has around 600 employees.
The management assured: “Even if the situation is not easy and structural and personnel savings will be necessary, Rosenthal is confident that it will be able to set the course for a successful future and to be sustainably competitive.” A final decision on the future of the company is expected to be made at the end of January.
Production costs are high, sales figures are down
The business situation at Rosenthal was tense, the company said, but did not provide any figures. “The market dynamics have become increasingly demanding and present companies in this industry with numerous hurdles.” Consumer behavior for porcelain products has changed, and high wage costs are also putting a strain on manufacturing companies in Germany – and this is despite declining sales figures.
Philipp Rosenthal founded the company in Selb in 1879. It stood for artistic standards, for classic or sensational design and high-quality porcelain. Rosenthal worked with well-known artists. But the golden age of porcelain manufacturers in Germany is long over; cheap competing products from abroad are in the cupboards and display cases of the Germans. Crockery can be bought in bulk at furniture stores.
Rosenthal became part of the British-Irish Waterford-Wedgwood group in 1997. In 2009, however, Rosenthal had to file for bankruptcy and the Arcturus Group eventually took over.
dpa
Source: Stern
