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Traditional company Wildermuth closes after 119 years – 100 jobs lost!
The traditional construction company Karl Wildermuth in Bietigheim-Bissingen is closing after 119 years. Almost 100 employees lose their jobs without severance pay.
Traditional company Wildermuth closes after 119 years – 100 jobs lost!
The sad news about the closure of another traditional company in Germany was announced today. Karl Wildermuth Bauunternehmen GmbH u. Co. KG from Bietigheim-Bissingen is closing after 119 years of business. How Mercury reported that all almost 100 employees were terminated with immediate effect - and without any severance pay. The main reason for this drastic decision is the tense economic situation and a massive decline in orders.
The management of the family business, which was originally founded in 1906 by Christian Schwemmer and was taken over by Karl Wildermuth after the Second World War, emphasizes that the decision does not reflect the team's performance. The Wildermuth company, which in its heyday employed up to 180 people, was managed by the third and fourth generations of the Wildermuth family.
A worrying trend in the construction industry
The closure of Wildermuth is not an isolated incident, but part of a worrying trend in the construction industry. Loud Construction industry The return on sales in the construction industry fell from 10.2% in 2020 to just 7.0% between 2021 and 2023. This development is accompanied by an increase in insolvencies in the construction industry. While 4,909 bankruptcies were recorded in 2001, the number rose again to 1,610 in 2024.
In addition to Wildermuth, other companies in the region are affected. A traditional company from Reutlingen and an automotive supplier in Deggingen also face similar challenges. This situation is exacerbated by a decline in building permits and completions, particularly in residential construction. The number of completions in 2024 fell by 14.4% compared to the previous year, according to an analysis Construction links emerges.
IG Bau has criticized the management's approach and complained that long-standing employees were dismissed from the company without severance pay. This not only raises questions about the company's social responsibility, but also increases uncertainty among the remaining employees in the regenerating construction industry.
Conclusion and outlook
How the situation in the construction industry will develop remains to be seen. The current economic situation is already showing a recovery in the business climate, which increased in May 2025, but uncertainty about future orders and associated economic stability remains. The coming months will be crucial in testing the viability of construction companies in Germany and potentially finding new ways to stabilize the industry.