300 New employees on site

Baur was able to increase the number of employees in upper franconia once again last year. 4,300 people now work for the company, which includes twelve companies and brands. This is 300 more than in 2010, the year in which remarkable growth was achieved. At that time, baur grew from 3200 to 4000 employees in the region. A total of 4600 employees are now working for baur worldwide.
"This year, our main task is to defend the ground we have gained and to prepare ourselves strategically for the coming years. We’re doing pretty well at the moment, too", said chairman of the board marc opelt.
The major issues of the past year, such as the euro crisis and the boom in china, had had comparatively little impact on the company’s business. Until august, the business climate in the retail sector had been quite good. After that, things had cooled off, also due to the capricious weather conditions. Growth only took place on the internet, with double-digit growth again in the christmas business.
In contrast to other competitors, the company has been able to hold its own on the market. In fiscal year 2010/11, baur generated sales of 609 million euros. This year, opelt expects a result at a similar level. "Our business year ends only at the end of february."
Opelt also addressed the future of baur-kauelt in altenkunstadt. At present, "very different options for action" are being considered, to prevent a further outflow of earnings. A decision on this will be made by the middle of the year. In 2011, altenkunstadt had consistently focused on the women’s clothing sector.
Hans-otto schrader, chairman of the executive board of the otto group, only briefly touched on the group’s economic performance in his speech "we achieved double-digit growth last year. The current business year will be much more difficult." This was also due to the many turbulences that occurred in 2011. "We have to be prepared for these turbulences. They also arise from the extreme complexity of our interconnected world."
The guest speaker was the bavarian minister of economic affairs, martin zeil (FDP), who referred to the good economic conditions in the state and emphasized the low unemployment rate of four percent in upper franconia. "With 4.8 million employees, we have more people on social security than ever before in bavaria." The situation in industry and the skilled trades, with well-filled order books, gives hope that 2012 will be similar to 2011 despite more difficult conditions, also in the region. "Baur is a company that sets standards with its outstanding business development."
The bamberger mozartsolisten under the direction of harald strauss-orlovsky provided the musical backdrop.