Schwarz Produktion broke ground for its EUR 400 million expansion of the large-scale bakery Bonback in Halle (Saale), which will include five new baking lines and a deep-freeze warehouse with 65,000 pallet capacity. The facility will serve as the central logistics hub for the storage and distribution of baked goods. With the new facility, 400 jobs will be created.

With this major investment, the company is significantly expanding its site in the Star Park industrial park. The expanded production facility is scheduled to commence operations in 2028.

Jörg Aldenkott, CEO of Schwarz Produktion, put the project into context: “Today, we are giving the starting signal for one of the most significant industrial investments in Saxony-Anhalt. With the groundbreaking ceremony, the implementation of a pioneering major project begins, with which we are not only expanding our production capacities but also fulfilling our responsibility for the reliable supply of millions of people. My thanks go to the Bonback team, the city of Halle, and especially the state government. The consistently collaborative partnership on equal terms has made today’s milestone possible.”

The investment, which has been increased from the original plan, is being specifically channeled into energy-efficient technology and logistics infrastructure to optimally position the plant for the coming decades. High energy efficiency is a key focus of the expansion, the company highlights: “Once completed, the extended bakery complex will be powered entirely by electricity from renewable energy sources. In addition, cooling systems with heat recovery based on natural refrigerants will be used to minimize energy consumption and future-proof the site. The site will be highly digitized.”

Part of the Schwarz Group, Schwarz Produktion has more than 6,500 employees across its 19 production sites and supplies retailers including Lidl and Kaufland.

Photo: Schwarz Produktion