Wellmann bakery joins the Panarium Group

The Panarium Group, which already owns successful local artisan bakeries in the Bielefeld, Münster and Paderborn regions, among others, acquires a majority stake in Bäckerei Wellmann. Wellmann is a traditional artisan 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 the 3rd generation.

Johannes Külkens will remain on board as Managing Director until further notice and actively support the business handover. In addition, Mr. Külkens will permanently support the Wellmann bakery and the entire Panarium Group as a co-partner and member of the advisory board.

“We are delighted that Bäckerei Wellmann is becoming part of a strong regional network. We have known and valued 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 artisan bakery,” says Johannes Külkens.

Nothing will change for 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,” emphasized Johannes Külkens. “The proven team and the usual quality will remain. On the contrary, there are plans to open more locations.”

“Bäckerei Wellmann is a very healthy, debt-free company with 300 committed employees, wonderful products and great growth potential,” says Barbara Zeyß, Managing Partner of the Panarium Group.

With Essmann’s Backstube and Lechtermann-Pollmeier, the leading bakeries in Münster and Bielefeld are 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 quality bakers that have a well-known brand, high product quality, long-term growth potential and a solid economic foundation. The companies remain independent within the Group and retain their unique identity. At the same time, they benefit from a strong network and exchange with each other (e.g. on topics relating to digitalization, employee development or purchasing).