Business location

Personnel changes at the Ölz wholesale bakery

Bernhard Ölz was the face of the "master baker" for many years and will retire from operational business in the summer.

(Bild: MEDIArt | Andreas Uher)

The long-established Dornbirn-based company posted record sales in 2023. Nevertheless, no stone will be left unturned - a veritable "turning point" is imminent. 

New times are dawning at the Dornbirn bakery "Rudolf Ölz Meisterbäcker GmbH & Co KG", and the entire management team will be restructured in the summer. The owner family has decided to withdraw from management in July and appoint a shareholder advisory board instead.

New management team
As the long-standing Managing Director Daniela Kapelari-Langebner is also retiring in June, a completely new management team will take over the operational agendas of the traditional company on July 1. This consists of a team of six: Markus Stammen, former Managing Director of Production, will take over the chairmanship from Bernhard Ölz.

The Ölz master bakery in Dornbirn.

(Bild: Ölz Meisterbäckerei)

Paul Steyrer (Sales and Distribution), Doris Wendel (Marketing, Human Resources, Quality Assurance and Sustainability), Michael Tschütscher (Finance, Controlling and Purchasing), Manuel Philipp (Digitalization and Processes) and Walter Maurer (Managing Director of Production) will also join the Management Board from July. The new shareholder advisory board, consisting of Bernhard, Florian and Martin Ölz, will take on the role of a supervisory board. Bernhard Ölz will be the Chairman.

Company in a good economic position
The timing for these massive changes seems perfect, especially as the company is in an excellent position. In the past financial year, turnover rose to 267 million euros - a new record. "Despite difficult conditions, we have continued on our successful path," says a satisfied Bernhard Ölz.

The market environment was indeed not easy: the cost of energy and raw materials rose significantly, and the high wage settlements added to this - Ölz therefore also had no choice but to increase prices. It is therefore all the more remarkable that the company was able to defend its strong market position both at home and abroad. The export share was 42 percent in the previous year and the number of employees rose from 1040 to 1060.