Ockelbo Ost AB has filed for bankruptcy voluntarily, with a deferred tax of 4.9 million SEK ultimately becoming the final blow.
Founded by Göran Ström in 2000 in Ockelbo, Gästrikland, Ockelbo Ost has been a well-known brand in Swedish grocery stores for over two decades, with products sold at ICA, Coop, and other retailers. Last year, Ockelbo Ost recorded a turnover of 72 million SEK and a modest profit of 60,000 SEK. However, the company has faced prolonged challenges with low profitability.
– The company has struggled with weak profitability for a long time. Additionally, a deferred tax from the pandemic of nearly 4.9 million SEK has continued to weigh down its balance sheet,” bankruptcy administrator Henric Schef told Gefle Dagblad.
The current plan is to attempt to sell the business as a going concern. “There are interested parties, but that’s all I can say at the moment,” Schef added.
Ockelbo Cheese doesn’t produce cheese itself in Ockelbo but instead collaborates with other dairies to create unique flavors and cheeses exclusively, it is stated on the homepage.
To survive, the company recently halved its workforce. By now twelve employees are affected by the bankruptcy.
Read more in Gefle Dagblad