Production at Wienerberger‘s Reetz plant in Germany comes to a long-term halt

As first reported by the Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung (MAZ) on 7 June 2024, Wienerberger will no longer be producing bricks at the Reetz clay block plant in Wiesenburg/Mark in the medium term. Production has already been at a standstill since November 2023. When asked, Wienerberger Germany confirmed: „Production at the Reetz plant is suspended.“ The MAZ also reports that the majority of the workforce has been made redundant. They have been informed „that the plant will initially be mothballed for two years“.

MAZ assumes that the redundant employees are in demand on the labour market thanks to their skills and experience. On the other side of the coin is the question of whether bricks will be produced at the Reetz plant at all. According to MAZ, mining is permitted in the clay pit belonging to the plant until 2040. However, employees have been the most valuable resource for the brick industry for years. It is therefore at least questionable whether it will be possible to restart production in Reetz without any problems.

Statement from Wienerberger

When asked, Wienerberger refers to the poor market situation and low demand for building material products, as it did in November 2023, almost with identical wording: “The entire construction industry is facing a very difficult market situation. The weakening of the sales markets is due to the challenging macroeconomic environment, rising borrowing costs following the increase in the key interest rate and inflationary effects. Wienerberger has adapted to the expected market environment, adjusted its production planning and continues to pursue initiatives in the areas of innovation and sustainability. In the current times, we see it as our task to further increase our presence in the regional markets and, together with all our colleagues, we will provide our customers throughout Germany with the usual product, support and service quality.“

Reetz site taken over from Röben

Wienerberger took over the Reetz hollow brick plant from Röben Klinkerwerke GmbH on 1 September 2017, as ZI reported in issue 5/2017. The plant, located around 100 kilometres south-west of Berlin, has a total capacity of around 190 million NF. The plant‘s sales markets were regions in eastern Germany and western Poland.