Good news for employees and customers of Salzburg Schokolade: The company that produces the “Echte Mozartkugeln Salzburg” has found a buyer after its bankruptcy. But the deal isn’t perfect yet.

Rescue in sight for the manufacturer of the “Echte Mozartkugeln Salzburg”? A competitor, the company Heidi Chocolat, will take over the insolvent company Salzburg Schokolade. The operation should continue to run. Around 140 jobs could also be preserved, so there is hope.

Salzburg Schokolade had to file for bankruptcy two weeks ago (t-online reported). The reason for the bankruptcy was the corona crisis. Due to the significant decline in tourists, events and birthday or wedding celebrations, demand was significantly lower, it was said at the time.

In addition, the confectionery shops in Vienna and Salzburg, where the Mirabell balls were sold, were temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Even the state aid to corona and new export customers could not compensate.

The Mozartkugel recipe is not legally protected

The company produces the unique Mozart balls under the Mirabell brand for the US company Mondelez. But she is not the only producer.

Because Mozart balls are not legally protected. She invented the Fürst confectionery. What the inventor’s great-great-grandson says about the competitor’s bankruptcy, read here.

There are also numerous companies that produce balls made of chocolate, marzipan, pistachios and nougat, such as Lindt & Sprüngli, Halloren and Manner. The German praline producer Paul Reber is the global market leader.

US group has to agree to takeover

Other companies also produce for Mondelez. The US group also holds the trademark rights to the “Echte Salzburger Mozartkugeln” from Mirabell – and therefore has to agree to the purchase. The creditors and the insolvency administrator should have already approved the takeover, it says.

In addition to the Mozartkugeln, Salzburg Schokolade also produces the “Maria Theresia Taler” or pralines under the “Salzburg Confisérie” brand.

Around 160 people currently work for the potential investor, Heidi Chocolat. With the purchase of Salzburg Schokolade, the number of employees would quickly double. As early as 2013, the company, which is part of the Austrian Meinl Group, took over the insolvent confectionery manufacturer Niemetz. This produces so-called Sweden bombs, which are known in Germany as chocolate kisses.