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Bäckerei Wellmann joins the Panarium Group
Osnabrück, October 18, 2023 – The Panarium Group, which already includes successful local craft bakeries in the Bielefeld, Münster and Paderborn regions, among others, is acquiring a majority stake in Bäckerei Wellmann. Wellmann is a traditional craft bakery with 25 locations in Osnabrück. This alliance marks a significant step towards securing the long-term life’s work of Johannes and Natalie Külkens, who have successfully built up and jointly manage the family business in its 3rd generation.
Johannes Külkens will remain on board as Managing Director until further notice and will actively accompany the business handover. In addition, Mr. Külkens will permanently support Bäckerei Wellmann and the entire Panarium Group as a shareholder and advisory board member.
“We are pleased that Bäckerei Wellmann will become part of a strong regional group. We have known and appreciated our new partner companies for many years and look forward to exchanging ideas with our colleagues. I am convinced that this is the right step to secure Wellmann’s successful future as a quality craft bakery,” says Johannes Külkens.
Nothing will change for the employees. All jobs will of course be retained, and additional growth investments in new stores and an expansion of production are planned. “Nothing will change for our customers as a result of the company succession either,” Johannes Külkens emphasizes. “The established team and the known quality will remain. On the contrary, there are plans to open additional locations.”
“The Wellmann bakery is a perfectly healthy, debt-free company with 300 dedicated employees, wonderful products and great growth potential,” says a delighted Barbara Zeyß, who heads the Panarium Group as managing director and co-shareholder.
With Essmann’s Backstube and Lechtermann-Pollmeier, the leading bakeries in Münster and Bielefeld are also already part of the Panarium Group – Wellmann, as the market leader in Osnabrück, perfectly complements the geographical focus in the region.
Panarium’s strategy is to invest in successful, regional craft bakeries that have a well-known brand, high product quality and long-term growth potential. The companies remain independent within the group and retain their unique identity. At the same time, they benefit from a strong network and the exchange of ideas among each other (including on topics related to digitalization, employee development, or purchasing).
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