"Crisis-proof" jobs

Kika/Leiner bankruptcy: job offers from the post office

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Following the recent bankruptcy of furniture giant Kika/Leiner, around 1,350 employees are facing the loss of their jobs. On Thursday, Österreichische Post AG responded and offered jobs to those affected, up to 700 people could be accommodated by Österreichische Post AG. The furniture manufacturer Dan Küchen had already spoken out on Wednesday and announced that it would also be looking for the employees who would be made redundant.

"We mainly need staff in customer service, planning and assembly. Many studios are looking for someone for kitchen planning and sales," explained Dan Küchen Managing Director Ewald Marschallinger.

But the company is also looking for people in the finance department, where flexibility prevails thanks to modern working methods. Dan Küchen is in an extremely stable financial position and has not borrowed any money.

"Crisis-proof" Austrian Post offers 700 jobs
Austrian Post and its subsidiaries in Austria are also looking for almost 700 additional employees in sales, logistics centers, delivery, as truck drivers and in IT. Full-time, part-time and part-time positions are available.

"As Swiss Post, we have proven in recent years that we are an attractive and, above all, crisis-proof employer. That is why we are offering all those affected the opportunity to apply directly to us. I am confident that many of them will be offered a suitable job", says Walter Oblin, CEO of Österreichische Post AG.

Austrian Post intends to fill 700 vacancies.

(Bild: Martin Jöchl)

Insolvency application filed, liabilities of up to € 139 million
Kika/Leiner filed for insolvency at the St. Pölten Regional Court on Thursday and applied for restructuring proceedings without self-administration - which were subsequently opened. The unsecured liabilities (liabilities) amount to €113 million and in the event of liquidation to €139 million, according to the creditor protection organizations AKV, Creditreform and KSV.

The furniture chain said it was still trying to find an investor. Kika/Leiner owner Hermann Wieser "was unable to provide any further funds", according to the application for the opening of restructuring proceedings. The reasons cited for the failure of the first reorganization plan are cost increases, the recession and a reluctance to buy on the part of customers.

According to the debtor, there are currently 924 creditors with outstanding claims, including suppliers, employees and the tax office. In addition, numerous customers who have already made a down payment, for example for kitchens or major home purchases, are also affected. The credit protectors are currently unable to estimate the number of down payment creditors affected. "Whether there will be a solution for the voucher creditors is not yet known at this time, so we will have to wait and see," said the AKV.

Benko's Signa sold furniture store in 2023
The furniture store has been in crisis for several years, with three changes of ownership, one insolvency and numerous store closures in the past ten years. In 2023, Rene Benko's Signa sold the Kika/Leiner properties to Graz-based Supernova and the operational furniture business to retail manager Hermann Wieser.

Shortly afterwards, the company filed for insolvency and 23 of 40 stores were closed as part of the restructuring process. The restructuring was supposed to run until September 2025, but has now failed.

Swiss Post also offered jobs to Magna employees
Austrian Post already reacted to the job cuts at Magna in spring and offered 100 new jobs in Styria to the laid-off employees in April 2024.