2024-07-23 17:36:54
Increased raw material prices have led to a situation where the confectionery manufacturer Kessko may default on payments. However, nothing will change for the employees for the time being.
The traditional Bonn-based company Kessler & Comp. GmbH & Co. KG (Kessko) has filed for bankruptcy. The company, which has been producing products such as chocolate coating, marzipan paste and ice cream pastes for confectioners and ice cream parlors since 1905, filed a corresponding application with the Bonn District Court in mid-July.
As the company stated in a press release, the local court has approved insolvency under self-administration. The management will remain in place and will be supported by two restructuring experts.
The wages and salaries of the approximately 100 employees will continue to be paid by the Federal Employment Agency until September 2024. From October, the company will again be responsible for these payments itself. Efforts are being made to preserve as many jobs as possible, the press release states.
Sales and production will continue as usual for the time being, it is said. Jens Lieser, one of the two newly appointed restructuring experts, confirms in the press release that the company is on the right track.
The main reason for the financial difficulties is said to be the increased prices for raw materials such as sugar and cocoa. The price of cocoa in particular has risen rapidly in recent months due to crop failures. At one point, the price for a ton of cocoa was 10,000 euros. For comparison: in September 2023, the price was still around 3,000 euros per ton. Last year, the company, which exports its products to almost 40 countries, generated sales of around 25 million euros.