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Crisis in the Gütersloh district: Reinert meat company on the verge of collapse!
A traditional company in the Gütersloh district, TFB, is about to be sold to the Premium Food Group and is threatened with bankruptcy.
Crisis in the Gütersloh district: Reinert meat company on the verge of collapse!
A surprising decision is causing a stir in the Gütersloh region: the traditional meat company TFB, in which the Reinert family business has invested, is facing fundamental change. How NW.de reports, the Premium Food Group (formerly Tönnies) is planning to take over 50 percent of TFB. This could have a direct impact on the 2,300 employees and their future as the company is currently struggling with financial difficulties.
The retirement of Hans-Ewald Reinert, who led the company for three generations, is particularly dramatic. He is retiring as a partner and giving up the traditional sausage factory, which has shaped the face of the family business for 94 years. However, Reinert retains the licensing rights to the “Bärchen” brand and would like to focus on the vegan segment under the name “Billie Green” in the future.
Economic challenges
The situation at TFB is anything but rosy. The company has been looking for a strategic partner for a long time in order to be able to better compete in a strong competitive environment. Once the sale to Premium Food Group is approved, the company will be closely scrutinized and plans will be made to make economic decisions that could potentially lead to further job cuts.
Reinert's merger with competitor Kemper in 2020 already happened under economic pressure and clearly shows the difficulties the industry is currently struggling with. Gerry Weber, another traditional company from the region, has not been spared from economic problems.
The change to the Premium Food Group
The Premium Food Group, which will operate under this new name from 2025, has set itself the goal of developing into a diversified food producer. How premiumfoodgroup.de reports, in addition to meat and sausage products, the company will also offer vegetarian products, ready meals and even raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry.
While the location in Rheda-Wiedenbrück will continue to serve as a production base, the change under the Premium Food Group brand represents a strategic change that was initiated several years ago. The administrative headquarters should be expanded even further in order to enable faster and independent decisions. It is a clear indication of the importance of flexible adaptation to today's market needs.
Trends in the meat industry
But what does this mean for the entire industry? The developments to be expected in 2025 will change everything. The meat industry is facing profound changes, such as fleischbranche.de explained. Consumers are increasingly placing value on regional products, sustainability and transparent supply chains. All of these factors drive companies to offer CO2-neutral production processes and innovative food alternatives.
The demand for plant-based products and future technologies, such as cultured meat or insect proteins, will continue to increase. Digitalization in production is also becoming increasingly important, so that automated slaughtering processes and AI-based quality controls could become standard in the near future.
Overall, both the Premium Food Group and TFB face enormous challenges and opportunities. How things will develop remains exciting, and what is certain is that the Gütersloh region will continue to be the focus.