Uncovering the Complex History of Bahlsen
Forced Labor and National Socialism
The German food company Bahlsen has recently come to terms with its complicated past, including the use of forced labor during National Socialism. Historians Harmut Berghoff and Manfred Grieger have shed light on this period in their book, “The History of the Bahlsen House.” According to Berghoff, the company employed around 800 forced workers, primarily from Poland and Ukraine, during this time. This fact contradicts the company’s previous claims of only 200 forced laborers.
Berghoff emphasized the harsh working conditions faced by these workers, which were far from the “very well” treatment claimed by the company. The historian’s research reveals that Bahlsen not only produced cookies but also manufactured rations for soldiers, further integrating the company into the National Socialist regime.
Expansion and Domination
Bahlsen’s ambitions extended beyond Germany, with plans to dominate the market and expand into Ukraine. The company’s projects in Kyiv, although short-lived, demonstrate its willingness to benefit from the National Socialist regime. Berghoff summarized the company’s relationship with the regime, stating that Bahlsen wanted to be part of everything the regime made possible and benefit from it.
A Statement of Distance
In response to the book’s publication, the Bahlsen family released a statement distancing themselves from their predecessors’ management, citing a clash with their current principles and convictions.
The First Strike
The book also recounts the story of the first strike in the company’s history, which took place in 1967. A group of Spanish workers, who had been employed by Bahlsen since 1960, protested against the unequal treatment they received compared to their German colleagues. The strike, which involved up to 400 Spanish employees, was sparked by a spontaneous mobilization at the company’s facilities. Berghoff described the behavior of Werner Bahlsen, the company’s leader at the time, as patriarchal, expecting gratitude from the Spanish women instead of a strike.