Table porcelain manufacturer BHS’s plans to close its Schönwald production facility are causing concern in the north-east Bavaria because he was disappointed. This news is a serious blow for the city of Schönwald and the entire region, said the district administrator of the Wunsiedel district of the Fichtelgebirge, Peter Berek (CSU). For him, “it is not yet inconceivable that, after all the tradition and importance of porcelain, there will be no more heated kilns in Schönwald from 2028 onwards.”
The company has announced that it will stop production in Schönwald by the end of 2027. At the same time, plans are being made to “gradually develop the Weiden site into a central competence center for automated porcelain production”. Logistics in Selb will remain the same.
That’s what the union says
It is not yet known how many positions will be eliminated. The company itself wrote that it was planning a “responsible workforce adjustment.” According to BHS information, currently around 350 people work in Schönwald.
“Many people lost their professional prospects – despite decades of loyalty to the company,” said Iris Schopper, deputy district manager at the Union of Mining, Chemical and Energy Industries (IGBCE), commenting on the company’s decision. “This is a huge blow to many families and this region.”
The company gave the following reasons
The BHS desk gave reasons for the change – namely “massive site cost increases, complex processes and a stagnant market”. Based on the announcement, company boss Gernot Mang said the “realignment” would result in tough cuts in the short term, but would create stability and growth in the medium term. If you follow this path, the BHS table will have a future “in Germany, in Bavaria, here in the region”.
The BHS table umbrella includes traditional brands such as Bauscher and Schönwald, which look back at the long history of the porcelain industry. The company has been part of the Serafin group of companies since 2017. BHS Tables is primarily known for its products for the catering and hospitality industry.
Porcelain production with a long tradition
Porcelain production has a long tradition in northeastern Bavaria. The Schönwalder porcelain factory was founded in 1879. But in recent decades it has repeatedly suffered serious blows, such as the bankruptcy of the famous company Rosenthal of Selb in 2009.
Several months ago, Rosenthal experienced turbulence again and also decided to close its production location, namely Speichersdorf in the Bayreuth district.
The current decision of BHS to hand over Schönwald as a production facility is a major blow to “Porzellanlandkreis”. Wunsiedelsaid Regent Berek. Jobs have also been lost again in the region’s former leading industries. “So of course economic power, value creation and everything that comes with it.” The consequences for employees themselves are “very dramatic”.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251120-930-315737/1
