In the 2023/2024 financial year, the Horst Brandstätter Group, a manufacturer of Playmobil toys, announced a significant drop in sales. The company’s total sales for this period were approximately 490 million euros, compared to 571 million euros in the previous year and 736 million euros the year before. This represents a decline of about a third within a two-year period. Despite not releasing information on profits or losses, the company did mention that they faced challenges due to the weak economy, inflation, rising costs, and decreased consumer spending.
Following a leadership reorganization last year, the company announced plans to cut around 700 jobs by 2025. With many of these job cuts already implemented, the Horst Brandstätter Group is optimistic for the new financial year that began on April 1st. Playmobil’s parent company stated that they have implemented stringent cost management measures that have resulted in significant savings and reduced inventory levels without impacting their ability to deliver products.
The recent struggles of the Horst Brandstätter Group are not unique as many other companies are facing similar challenges due to external factors such as economic downturns and increased costs. However, with strong leadership and effective cost management strategies in place, this family-owned business remains determined to overcome these obstacles and continue delivering high-quality toys to its customers worldwide.
