HABA in Bad Rodach: 97 further layoffs despite the bankruptcy

HABA in Bad Rodach: 97 further layoffs despite the bankruptcy

in Bad Rodach, in the middle of the Bavarian landscape, there are again regret news from the world of companies. The traditional toy and furniture producer Haba is forced to reduce around 97 jobs. This step follows significant layoffs that were implemented at the turn of the year 2024 when about 450 jobs were deleted. The workforce was informed of this decision on Monday, August 26, the company management and the works council, which further increases the uncertainty among the employees.

HABA is committed to optimizing and increasing efficiency. According to its own statements, the company plans to streamline management levels, to simplify business processes and to improve communication within the HABA group. The reason for the difficult decisions lies in the weakening business development, which was worse than expected. Managing Director Mario Wilhelm said that such measures always mean a deep incision for those directly affected, but could not be offered alternatives to reduce costs.

background information about Haba

Haba was founded in 1938, and to date the company has its headquarters in Bad Rodach. The family company is known for its extensive range of wooden toys, board and card games as well as furniture for daycare centers. The game “Obstgarten”, a popular dice game for children, is a trademark of the company. Despite the current challenges, the management of HABA continues to see the medium to long-term market opportunities positive and plans to strengthen sales in order to get closer to customers.

In addition to the creation of a transfer company, which is intended to offer the affected employees a support of up to twelve months, the company adheres to its social sense of responsibility. Wilhelm emphasized that one struggles to make a socially acceptable design of the personnel measures. Nevertheless, the opposite signals for the workforce are worrying. IG Metall employees already reported a noticeable uncertainty regarding their jobs in June, since the production capacities are often not fully exhausted.

The consequences of bankruptcy and the current course of Haba

In September 2023, Haba initiated insolvency proceedings in self -administration, which finally ended on March 1, 2024. During this time, the company was forced to reduce significant positions and separate from its Jako-O brand and the furniture production location in Eisleben. Even after the end of the insolvency proceedings, the situation remains tense. A representative of IG Metall in Coburg explains that the current dismissals would illustrate the continuing difficulties at HABA and that it was crucial to observe the developments in the coming months.

The situation at HABA illustrates the challenges that not only the company itself, but also the employees. The combination of uncertain business and restructuring shows that traditional companies cannot be spared economic difficulties. The view is now aimed at whether the measures adopted actually lead to the fact that HABA can restore its competitiveness and ultimately find their way back to stable jobs.