Trip Report: Visit to Germany – IREKS & Bakery Burkard
Dates: 7–9 May 2025
The CBA team of CEO Karen Dear, National President, John Foster and Chairman Nick Harris were delighted to travel to Germany with 6 of its CBA members for an inspiring and well-organised visit hosted by IREKS. Daren Roots, Rob Kempton, Theresa Steinhauuser and Tak Zing Trebes of Ireks provided additional insights into the business and organised a tour of the independent bakery Bäckerei Burkard. These are the highlights from our trip.
Wednesday, 7 May 2025 – Arrival in Bayreuth
The group arrived in Bayreuth in the evening and checked into the ARVENA KONGRESS Hotel, where we had some time to settle in before enjoying a group dinner at the hotel restaurant. This provided a relaxed setting to meet fellow participants and prepare for the day ahead.
Thursday, 8 May 2025 – Full-Day Visit to IREKS GmbH
An early transfer took us to IREKS GmbH in Kulmbach, where we were warmly welcomed and introduced to the company through an official greeting, corporate film, The day was packed with informative sessions and hands-on experiences, including:
Baked goods presentation at the IREKS Campus Bakery with Christian Geißlinger
Tour of the malt production facility with Tak Zing Trebes
Lunch at the IREKS Bistro
Tour of the IQ Centre with Dr. Dominic Lorenz
Visit to the warehouse and baking ingredients production lines, led by Theresa Steinhäuser and Tak Zing Trebes
Each part of the programme highlighted IREKS’s commitment to quality, innovation, and collaboration. From research and development to large-scale production, the company’s integrated systems and focus on customer support were truly impressive.
The day concluded with a final discussion and farewell at the IREKS Campus before we returned to the hotel in Bayreuth. We then enjoyed a short walk to Zollhaus IX, a local restaurant, for dinner before heading back to the hotel.
Friday, 9 May 2025 – Visit to Bakery Burkard
We departed early for Pommersfelden, where we were hosted by Bäckerei Burkard. Breakfast was served at their café – the charming Allee-Café – followed by a guided tour of their production site, led by Toni, the son of the owner.
Burkard is more than a bakery – it is a symbol of sustainable craftsmanship and deep-rooted family tradition. Their philosophy, “Wir backen, was wir säen” (“We bake what we sow”), is reflected in every aspect of their operation:
They grow their own organic grains, including heritage varieties like Oberkulmer Rotkorn, and even mill their harvest on-site. This commitment to quality over convenience is what sets them apart and is truly admirable in today’s fast-paced food landscape.
Reflections and Thanks
This trip offered a well-rounded view of the German baking industry – from global innovation at IREKS to artisan excellence at Burkard. We are grateful for the hospitality and openness shown by everyone involved, particularly Daren Roots and Theresa Steinhäuser and the teams at IREKS and Burkard.
A special thank you to the attendees from Days of Ashwell, Wenzels, Simmons Bakers, Bushells Bakery, Tudor Bakery, and the BAKO Group. It was a pleasure to spend time with these members and to get to know them and their businesses a little more.
We would encourage any CBA member who has the chance to take part in a CBA member visit with IREKS or our other industry supporters to grab the opportunity. You’ll come away having learned something new, with fresh ideas—and often with new friendships, too.