The history of the Zauner confectionery dates back to 1832. The Kaiser’s former supplier is the traditional Bad Ischler company par excellence. What many do not know: the family business also has deep roots online. Senior boss Josef Zauner opened the first online shop in 1995.
What started as an experiment back then is now a mainstay – especially since the pandemic. During the two years of lockdown, Zauner’s online sales rose by 400 percent and then stopped falling. “Currently, 40 percent of our sales are made online,” says junior boss Philipp Zauner. “My goal is 50 percent.”
Orders from all over the world
But the capacity at the company headquarters in Bad Ischler Pfarrgasse is no longer sufficient. That’s why they’ve been remodeling since yesterday. The building will be extended by autumn and the interior will also be restructured. “We are expanding the production areas, increasing storage capacity and modernizing the packaging, mailing and administration departments,” says Philipp Zauner, who is the seventh generation to run the company. It is not disclosed how much money the family will spend on this. The 28-year-old says only this much: “It is the largest investment package in the history of our company.”
The famous manufactory now delivers its Zaunerstollen, Ischler Törtchen, Ischler Oblaten and other sweet specialties all over the world. Many orders come from the USA in particular. “Remarkably often from Jewish customers who have Austrian roots,” as the junior boss reports.
As a pure handicraft business, the former kuk court confectionery can react quickly to orders in production. “Products that are ordered by 1 p.m. are sent out the same day,” says Zauner.
The expansion will create up to ten new jobs at Bad Ischl’s famous confectionery. Zauner already employs around 150 people, 30 of them in production, and three apprentices are taken on every year. In contrast to many other companies, Zauner has no difficulty in finding staff. But the company also offers more than just the catchy name of a former court confectionery. For example apartments that are almost free.
More information and online shop www.zauner.at
Source: Nachrichten
