Sarner Printing Company Abächerli Media AG Declares Insolvency

In a disheartening turn of events, Abächerli Media AG, a historic printing company based in Sarnen, Switzerland, has declared insolvency as of March 25, 2025. This closure results in the loss of approximately 30 jobs from the local workforce, marking a significant blow to the region.

The roots of this tragedy trace back to an incident in June 2022, when the company’s former external IT service provider accidentally deleted all data and applications stored on the company's servers, along with all backups. This catastrophic error has been extensively cited as the primary cause behind the firm's downfall. In a statement from the administrative board and management of Abächerli Media AG, they stated, "The former external IT service provider accidentally deleted all data and applications on our servers and backups." They added that the complete IT system had to be reconstructed from scratch, leading to a massive liquidity impact, as they were unable to restore the lost data.

The total damages incurred from this catastrophe are staggering, with estimates exceeding 750,000 francs. The company lamented, "The created damage was estimated at over 760,000 francs, with the insurance covering only a fraction of that," pointing towards a grim reality that left the company with insurmountable challenges. Abächerli Media AG expressed frustration as they faced not just the loss of data but also a sharp decline in revenue, stating, "We must now state that our company has never recovered from this debacle." This public acknowledgment of failure underscores the profound impact the incident had on their operational capability.

Prior to this IT disaster, Abächerli Media AG had been battling a declining market, with the printing industry experiencing a notable decrease in demand in recent years. Although the company had performed moderately better than the overall market until mid-2024, its fortunes changed dramatically thereafter, resulting in dwindling sales. The company, which was founded back in 1956, traces its lineage to Josef Abächerli, who began a book printing business in the 1910s. However, all of its current struggles come against a backdrop of an increasingly competitive environment that has made survival difficult.

On March 7, 2025, the company’s house bank took the decisive step of terminating all contracts due to ongoing financial instability, leading to immediate insolvency. This financial precipice forced the company's administrative board into the dire position of filing for bankruptcy. With that, company communications went silent, and any remaining discussions about re-establishing operational health faded.

The response from the IT service provider, which has not been named, highlights a complex layer to the unfolding drama. Reports suggest that the owner of the IT firm learned about the public accusations against their company only after media inquiries, leading to speculation about the response to responsibility in this debacle. Initially open to discussion, the owner later decided to withdraw from comments, suggesting closure on their end of the case.

The challenges for Abächerli Media AG, however, were compounded by the pressures of a changing market landscape. The firm had cited shrinking sales in the realm of printing, which increasingly forced businesses to pivot or adapt to new realities regarding customer demands. As market conditions worsened, attempts to rectify the financial shortfall through other operational measures were thwarted, pushing the firm deeper into crisis.

The last days of the company saw machines silent in Sarnen, leading to widespread speculation in the local community about the future of Abächerli Media AG. Only a few months earlier, the company moved operations into a new facility in Kernmatt, reflecting a commitment to remain in the region despite mounting obstacles. Yet, reports from recent weeks painted a different picture: machinery sat dormant, and the silence spoke volumes about its impending doom.

In the wake of this closure, many are left reflecting on the legacy of Abächerli Media AG. Having worked with numerous local businesses and government agencies for years, the firm was a prominent name in the industry. Their project portfolio included notable collaborations with organizations such as Glencore, Novartis, and Hotelplan, underscoring the reach the company had within the printing sector. However, that legacy has now been tarnished, casting shadows on the future of employees whose careers spanned decades within its walls.

The full impact of Abächerli Media AG's closure will reverberate throughout the Sarnen community, as 30 jobs are lost along with a significant local business. The failure serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of even long-standing companies in the face of unforeseen disasters and market change, especially when compounded by risks associated with external partnerships.