Thermomix: Vorwerk is struggling with problems - with consequences for customers

Created: 03/01/2022, 14:36

By: Anna Lehmer

The Thermomix from Vorwerk could soon become scarce.

Some of the production lines will soon be standing still at the manufacturer's.

© picture alliance / Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa |

Rolf Vennenbernd

The Thermomix is ​​more popular than ever, but the manufacturer is still struggling with some problems.

Customers are now feeling this too.

Wuppertal - He can do almost everything: mix, grind, knead, chop, boil, steam, weigh and conjure up delicious liqueurs.

However, the user still has to push the buttons himself. The Thermomix makes cooking child's play, at least that's what the manufacturer Vorwerk promises.

It has become indispensable in many kitchens in Germany, but now the success of the Thermomix could be slowed down.

Thermomix: Manufacturer Vorwerk has problems in production

Things could hardly have gone better for the manufacturer of the Thermomix in the past two years.

The cult food processor helped Vorwerk achieve record sales, according to the

.

“Our main source of revenue, Thermomix, again saw double-digit growth in 2021.

We have sold 1.5 million devices worldwide," said the head of the manufacturing company, Thomas Stoffmehl, of the newspaper.

In 2020, the family company's turnover amounted to around 3.2 billion euros.

Vorwerk is now facing problems with its Thermomix that have an impact on customers.

Thermomix from Vorwerk: production lines will soon come to a standstill

Global trading is restricted by supply bottlenecks.

Semiconductors in particular are in short supply, and Vorwerk also feels this in its production of the food processor.

"Unfortunately, the lack of chips is temporarily slowing down the production of the Thermomix," says Stoffmehl.

The company therefore had to throttle production and “cancel shifts in certain areas”.

In the Thermomix plant in France, the belts would soon be idle for a few days, but not in the Wuppertal plant in Germany.

Vorwerk: Customers have to wait for their Thermomix

The standstills and bottlenecks are reflected in the delivery times for the Thermomix.

According to the information, the waiting time for the coveted multifunction device is currently ten weeks;

according to Stoffmehl, this could last until autumn.

Nevertheless, the Vorwerk boss does not expect any sales losses.

Every tenth Thermomix in Germany is sold online, according to the

.

Until May 2021, interested parties could only purchase a device through a cooking party with a representative, held at customers' homes.

By 2023, Vorwerk stores will also be selling the Thermomix.

Vorwerk gets competition from Lidl*.

The supermarket offers the "Monsieur Cuisine Connect", which is very similar to the Thermomix.

The providers of the devices therefore found themselves in court again: Vorwerk sued.

At first there was a clear one

Defeat for Lidl: Vorwerk turned the "Thermomix clone" off the juice in court*.

Then came the turnaround and Lidl was allowed to sell the much cheaper double again.

(ale) *