The PLUTA team had previously kept the business operating for around six weeks after the Local Court of Bochum ordered provisional insolvency administration for the company’s assets on 15 January 2026. On 1 March 2026, the court opened regular proceedings and appointed Mr Christoph Chrobok as insolvency administrator.

DC Transporte GmbH with locations in Zülpich, Langenfeld and Gelsenkirchen was supplying meal kits for a customer in the food retail trade.

Best possible outcome

PLUTA attorney Mr Christoph Chrobok said, “The investor submitted a competitive offer that, in particular, included the retention of all jobs, which I am delighted about. We have therefore achieved the best possible solution for customers, staff and the creditors.” He is being assisted in the proceedings by attorney Mr Oliver Westkamp.

Dr Matthias Merkel and Mr Jost Brautmeier from law firm resnova Rechtsanwälte based in Bottrop advised on DC Transporte GmbH’s application for insolvency.

The business is continuing to operate without restriction, orders are being processed as usual and all contacts are available. EASTEC specialises in automation and robotic systems engineering as well as information technology. The solutions developed are used in numerous application areas, including discrete and continuous manufacturing processes, logistics and quality assurance and control.

Developing a sustainable future

The company has had to file for insolvency due to liquidity problems caused by a considerable decline in sales, resulting in costs being excessive. The provisional insolvency administrator is currently conducting a comprehensive review of its financial situation and holding initial discussions with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. “Operations are stable. Our aim is to preserve the company’s technological expertise and market position and establish a viable long-term solution,” said Mr Roeger. Various potential courses of action will be examined over the coming weeks. All concerned want to develop a sustainable future for the company.

Those in charge jointly informed the 23 employees about the latest developments. Their wages and salaries are guaranteed for a period of three months thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. The PLUTA team, which also comprises attorneys Ms Jacqueline Tilberis and Ms Wibke Zinke, is in the process of securing pre-financing of these. This will ensure that the salaries are paid as normal.

The company was founded in 1987. The founders brought with them an in-depth understanding of electrotechnical systems with programmable controllers, computer technology and software development. A few years later, the company purchased and moved to its present headquarters in Weiden, where it has office spaces, a production hall and storage facilities. “The situation is not easy. However, our team is highly motivated. We are working with great urgency with the provisional insolvency administrator to put our company on a viable footing,” said Mr Robert Kellner, founder and managing director of EASTEC.

With the newly established Röchling Industrial Vreden GmbH acquiring the business and keeping on all 100 or so employees, the internationally renowned plastics engineering company with global operations is expanding its product portfolio, securing the future of Terbrack Kunststoff GmbH & Co. KG and ensuring continuity for customers, suppliers and staff.

Founded in 1954, Terbrack is a pioneer specialising in the processing of high-quality engineering plastics. The company from Vreden in the Münsterland region manufactures pressed sheets, extruded profiles, round rods and other semi-finished products as well as various finished parts for the mechanical and plant engineering, packaging, chemical and food industries.

“By acquiring Terbrack, we are seizing an important opportunity to strategically expand our network and significantly increase reliability for our customers,” emphasised Mr Wilhelm Korte-Dirxen, Chief Operating Officer of Röchling Industrial. “Terbrack ideally complements our existing know-how and strengthens our production network at a key point. The team’s high level of expertise and the established technologies open up additional opportunities for us to sustainably further consolidate our market position.”

Optimal solution achieved

Attorney Dr Ria Brüninghoff expressed her satisfaction: “We have fully maintained production, stabilised operations and continued to meet all customer requirements over recent months. The Terbrack employees have shown exceptional commitment, laying the groundwork for a successful transaction. My team and I have also received crucial support from managing director Mr Michael Wittka. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the entire Terbrack team for going above and beyond what was required of them. I wish to thank the business partners as well, who have also given their full support to the restructuring efforts over recent months. All involved in the proceedings will benefit from the solution achieved – most particularly the employees, but also all creditors through the safeguarding of the company’s value and ultimately the investor as well, who is expanding its product portfolio with Terbrack. I am extremely pleased that we have secured Röchling as an investor, as it is the perfect fit for Terbrack and, among other things, fully recognises the value of its employees.”

Terbrack Kunststoff GmbH & Co. KG had to file for insolvency with the Local Court of Münster, as the competent court, in autumn 2025. On 29 October 2025, the court ordered provisional insolvency administration and appointed attorney Dr Ria Brüninghoff from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH as provisional administrator. On 1 February 2026, the court opened insolvency proceedings for the company’s assets and appointed Dr Ria Brüninghoff as regular administrator.

By acquiring Terbrack, Röchling Industrial is gaining new capacities: the additional site will increase redundancy within its production network and provide greater flexibility for customers. At the same time, the acquisition underlines Röchling’s clear commitment to Germany as a location for industry and strengthens regional value creation.

Both companies share a tradition of family entrepreneurship and a focus on long-term thinking. “As a family-owned company, we place great value on stability and continuity. It is particularly important to us to offer all Terbrack employees reliable future prospects. For this reason, through the newly founded Röchling Industrial Vreden GmbH, we are keeping on the more than 100 employees at the Vreden site and, together with them and their expertise, will help shape the future of Röchling Industrial,” said Mr Daniel Fritz, Chief Financial Officer of Röchling Industrial.

The business has continued operating without restrictions in recent months. At the same time, the PLUTA restructuring expert and her team have worked on a follow-up solution and conducted a process of finding an investor in close coordination with the provisional creditors’ committee; this has now been successfully completed. The experts at CVM CAPITAL VALUE MANAGEMENT GmbH based in Dortmund, most notably Ms Maya Thielenhaus, took charge of the M&A process, with significant support from the PLUTA team.

In addition to Dr Ria Brüninghoff, the PLUTA team also comprises attorneys Ms Nadja Neuber and Mr Leon Linz as well as business lawyer Mr Tim Austmeyer. Dr Brüninghoff is receiving additional assistance from business management expert Mr Christian Plückebaum (PSM Management GmbH).

Attorney Mr Oliver Ruhe-Schweigel from law firm ks rechtsanwälte + notare gbr, Essen, is acting as legal adviser to Terbrack Kunststoff GmbH & Co. KG. He initiated the proceedings and has also supported the provisional proceedings in this capacity.

In the first phase after the company filed for insolvency, the PLUTA team ensured the club could continue to fulfil its fixtures. The last game of the regular season is scheduled for 27 February 2026. Meanwhile, work on a long-term solution is ongoing. The PLUTA team also includes attorney Ms Heike Metzger from Heilbronn and others.

Mr Peter Roeger said, “I would like to start by thanking the players and all of the fans for their support in recent weeks. We have been able to continue to fulfil the fixtures and are now working on a long-term solution. We are also holding discussions with ice hockey club Heilbronner Eishockeyclub Eisbären e.V. (HEC) in this regard. A specific legal solution is not yet in place, but we are confident that a positive outcome can be achieved.”

Best possible solution for professional ice hockey in Heilbronn

An insolvency plan is one possible means of keeping professional ice hockey in Heilbronn. Upper League licences are tied to the respective company, which means a licence for participating in the league can only be issued if the legal entity is preserved, and therefore in the context of a plan-based restructuring process. With an insolvency plan, the company would be maintained and could continue to operate as a business. However, there are also other potential solutions in the case of the ‘Heilbronn Falcons’, as ice hockey club Heilbronner Eishockeyclub Eisbären e.V. (HEC) is about to be promoted to the Upper League itself.

There have already been discussions with potential investors and HEC management regarding several options in recent days. The goal is clearly defined: the provisional administrator wants to keep professional ice hockey in Heilbronn while at the same time giving due regard to the creditors’ interests in the Heilbronner Falken GmbH & Co. KG insolvency proceedings.

Mr Peter Roeger said, “We need sustainable, long-term financing to keep professional ice hockey in Heilbronn. We want to work with all involved to achieve the best possible outcome. Over the coming weeks, it will become clear which specific solution can be implemented.”

Despite having filed for insolvency, the two companies based in Bremerhaven remain fully operational. Both businesses work closely together on the importation, acceptance, storage and further processing of frozen and fresh fish products. They cover the entire range of services: ISEY Fischimport GmbH’s core business is the import and sale of fish products, while Fimex Tiefkühl GmbH focuses on processing.

Import, storage and delivery operations are continuing as planned, and existing orders are being handled as usual. Management at both companies are working closely with provisional insolvency administrator Dr Kaufmann in the provisional proceedings to analyse the financial situation and develop a viable, long-term solution.

Wages and salaries of the 36 employees guaranteed

“I intend to gain a comprehensive overview of the financial situation and review the possible solutions with management over the coming days and weeks,” said Dr Christian Kaufmann. He is being supported in the PLUTA restructuring team by attorneys Dr Oliver Liersch and Mr Sören Werhahn as well as by economist Mr Jürgen Schendel on business matters.

The wages and salaries of the 11 employees of ISEY Fischimport GmbH and 25 employees of Fimex Tiefkühl GmbH are guaranteed for a period of three months thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. Dr Kaufmann said, “We are dealing with food here, so it is particularly important that the businesses continue to operate seamlessly. We have already informed the staff about the proceedings and the first steps. They are motivated, and the initial discussions with business partners have also gone well.”

ISEY Fischimport GmbH and Fimex Tiefkühl GmbH were founded in 1989. The core business is the import of fresh fish from Iceland for the German and European markets. Immediately after the catch, the fish are covered in ice, loaded into special refrigerated containers in Iceland and delivered directly to Bremerhaven. The majority of the imported species are redfish, cod, plaice, wolffish and saithe, originating from MSC-certified fisheries.

Customer deliveries take top priority

The companies have had to file for insolvency due to sharp cost increases that have ultimately strained their liquidity, as they could not pass on the additional costs to the necessary extent given the very volatile market. Nevertheless, management is optimistic about the future: “Our top priority remains to maintain our business activities and supply our customers. We are working with the provisional insolvency administrator on setting out future prospects.” Attorneys Dr Daniel Kunz and Mr Julian Dann from law firm Taylor Wessing PartGmbB have been advising the companies during the filing process.

Dr Christian Kaufmann from PLUTA is an attorney for general law and a specialist attorney for insolvency and restructuring law. He has extensive experience in the food industry, including having acted as insolvency administrator for a wholesale bakery. In addition, he has also supported a large number of insolvency proceedings in the maritime sector.

The insolvency proceedings for Mayer & Cie., a manufacturer of circular knitting and braiding machines, were opened on 1 December 2025. The process of shutting down the entire business was initiated immediately after that, and most employees were given notice that they would be made redundant at the end of February 2026. The final remaining orders for circular knitting machines are expected to be completed by the end of the same month. Back in December 2025, the braiding machine segment of the Mayer & Cie. business was sold to an Italian investor. A buyer has now been found for the circular knitting machine operations at the eleventh hour in the form of Huixing Machine Co., Ltd. Shishi. The Chinese machine manufacturer will acquire selected assets, including the Albstadt property and holdings such as the two Mayer & Cie. subsidiaries in China and Czechia. The purchase agreements were signed on Monday.

Huixing Machine Co., Ltd. Shishi is headquartered in the city of Shishi in Quanzhou, a major hub for China’s textile and engineering industries. Huixing manufactures and sells high-quality knitting machines and develops related intelligent software. The company employs around 1,000 people in research and development, manufacturing, sales and customer service at six production facilities. Huixing is a leading Chinese company in the textile and engineering industries.

The buyer’s stated ambition is for production of circular knitting machines to resume at the Albstadt location following closing of the purchase agreements, which still largely depends on the granting of the necessary official approvals. These include approval for foreign investments from the relevant Chinese authorities and a clearance certificate from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). As things currently stand, the purchase agreements are expected to be closed within six to eight weeks. In the period between the signing and closing, the buyer intends to also finalise the concept for the new company.

Mayer & Cie. specialises in the manufacture and sale of circular knitting and braiding machines, almost all of which are exported. These are highly regarded by textile manufacturers worldwide. The company is owner-managed in the fourth generation and is operating in a market in turmoil. It found itself in financial difficulties after suffering a dramatic slump in sales. As a result, the company had to file for debtor-in-possession insolvency in September 2025. The proceedings were opened on 1 December 2025. Despite an intensive international search, no investor could initially be found for the circular knitting machine business. Therefore, operations are to be wound down in an orderly fashion at the end of this month.

Mr Martin Mucha, an experienced restructuring expert from law firm Grub Brugger, came on board as general agent. He and his team have been supporting management during the debtor-in-possession proceedings. He stated, “With the sale of the assets from the Mayer & Cie. circular knitting machine business to Huixing, we have established a path forward for the planned resumption of the business. It is good news for the site that production is set to resume there again in the future. The investor brings financial resources with it and also excellent business relationships, particularly in Asia but also worldwide. Mayer & Cie. will be able to benefit from these. After intense efforts, I am delighted that we have been able to achieve this outcome even at the eleventh hour.”

Attorney Mr Ilkin Bananyarli from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH was appointed insolvency monitor for Mayer & Cie. He said, “The M&A process initially failed to secure an investor, despite the tireless efforts of all involved. That makes this turn of events in the eleventh hour of these proceedings all the more pleasing. This is a very welcome outcome for this long-standing business and the creditors.”

“We had already conducted an intensive search for an investor for Mayer & Cie. over many months. This initially appeared unsuccessful. Despite the closure having been announced, we maintained our search and efforts to realise the company’s assets with great urgency. We did not want the assets, expertise or brand to be lost. The fact that we were able to interest Huixing in Mayer & Cie. and ultimately convince it to invest is a major achievement for all of us,” said Mr Volker Wintergerst from Wintergerst Societät für Unternehmerberater, who supported the process of finding an investor together with his colleagues Mr Christian Scharfenberger and Mr Simon Ulmer.

The Local Court of Hechingen opened the debtor-in-possession insolvency proceedings on 1 December 2025. Unlike regular insolvency proceedings, responsibility for the company therefore remained in the hands of management, which was supported by restructuring expert Mr Martin Mucha. In debtor-in-possession proceedings, the competent local court does not appoint an insolvency administrator. Instead, an insolvency monitor is installed to supervise the proceedings in the interests of the creditors. Attorney Mr Ilkin Bananyarli from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH was appointed insolvency monitor for Mayer & Cie.

Mr Karl Bauer, owner of the Luibl Group, has established a new group of companies for this, which will trade as the Uplifter Group. This is the ideal follow-up solution for Uplifter GmbH & Co. KG, which specialises in lifting and transport solutions. The rental and sales business as well as the mini-crane, vacuum technology and glass lifting equipment services will carry on as normal for customers. The headquarters in Oberaich in the Upper Palatinate region along with the rental and sales locations in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Berlin will be acquired and maintained by the Luibl Group.

The Luibl Group is a full-service provider for everything to do with work platforms, construction machinery, forklifts and telehandlers. The company has more than 1,000 machines, which will be available for rent from eleven locations following the acquisition. With this acquisition, the group is significantly strengthening its regional customer relationships and expanding its local presence.

Luibl managing director Mr Karl Bauer said, “Uplifter has 20 years of experience in the market. With this acquisition, we can continue to pursue our expansion strategy. We are delighted to welcome our new skilled colleagues to the team and are pleased to offer customers high-quality lifting and vacuum technology products.”

PLUTA attorney Mr Daniel Barth said, “We have achieved the best possible outcome in the sales process. We would like to thank the Uplifter employees under the leadership of managing director Mr Martin Lobinger for their efforts over the past three months. The successful continuation of the business during the provisional proceedings was crucial to the solution that has now been found.” The PLUTA team also comprised business lawyer Mr Holger Christian Buehler. Attorney Mr Martin Jungclaus helped to draw up the purchase agreement.

The team is grateful to all involved for the excellent and close cooperation. The successful continuation of the business was made possible through the Europe-wide M&A process conducted with the support of Mr Alexander von Abercron from SGP Schneider Geiwitz Corporate Finance. Thanks are also due to the buyer’s advisory team, attorneys Mr Markus Münzenmaier and Mr Christian Heimerl from ljh Lindlbauer, for the constructive discussions in recent weeks.

The Local Court of Amberg opened the insolvency proceedings and appointed attorney Mr Daniel Barth as administrator on 29 January 2026. He had been involved as provisional administrator since 11 November 2025. Mr Barth has kept the lifting technology company fully operational in recent months, and ensured product rentals and all other services were still available.

In addition to Uplifter GmbH & Co. KG, other non-operating companies in the Uplifter Group are involved in provisional insolvency proceedings. The PLUTA team is also looking for solutions for the commercial property in Guteneck as well as for the foreign companies in Poland and Czechia, which are not involved in the proceedings, and is speaking with interested parties about these.

PLUTA restructuring expert Mr Peter Roeger said, “We will conduct the process of finding an investor over the coming weeks. The club needs a financially strong investor going forward.” Experts at consultancy firm CF Consilio Forte will assist in the search for an investor, having already supported the same process for the Bayreuth Tigers two years ago.

Joint decision with the team

The members of the PLUTA team have obtained a comprehensive overview of the situation and held numerous discussions over the past few days. The attorneys have ensured the ice hockey team can fulfil its next fixtures, with a view to finishing out the regular season. The last game of the season is scheduled for 27 February 2026. The club will not be able to participate in the March playoffs on account of the insolvency.

With some players understandably keen to switch clubs, the insolvency administration experts have spoken with the team and reached a joint decision. The ‘Heilbronn Falcons’ players will stick together and the full squad will remain available until the transfer window opens on 15 February. At that point, a number of players (in the mid single digits) can leave for other clubs; two players have already agreed terms elsewhere. There will be an announcement on this in the near future in coordination with the other clubs.

Mr Peter Roeger said, “We have held open and honest discussions with the players. Together, we have found a good solution that considers the interests of the players and the club. We want to finish out the season, and need a minimum squad size for games to go ahead. That is now achievable.” Following the Sunday game on 15 February, another four official games are scheduled.

The club would appreciate the continued support of the fans and hope to see many of them at the stadium. Ice hockey team Heilbronner Falken (‘Heilbronn Falcons’) has been playing in the Upper League South since 2023. The club was founded as Heilbronner Eishockeyclub in 1986, and the men’s professional team was spun off as a separate entity, Heilbronner Falken GmbH & Co. KG, in 2003.

Despite the proceedings having been opened, the automotive supplier is still fully operational and all existing orders are being fulfilled as usual. Insolvency administrator Mr Ilkin Bananyarli has held very good discussions with customers in recent months and they remain supportive of the efforts to maintain the business. The company employs around 100 people. Their salaries will now be covered by ongoing business revenue again.

The PLUTA team is working on a long-term solution for the automotive supplier. M&A experts at SGP Schneider Geiwitz Corporate Finance have been commissioned to conduct the process of finding an investor.

Mr Ilkin Bananyarli said, “As a first step, we have been able to successfully stabilise the business operations since it filed for insolvency. The customers remain committed and orders are stable. We are now focused on the search for an investor. The company needs an investor for the future.” The specialist attorney is being supported in the proceedings by business lawyer Mr Franco W. Caputo.

Teknia Stuttgart GmbH specialises in high-precision chassis and steering components for the automotive industry. Core products include push rods, other structural and functional components (such as anchor guides), solenoid housings and valve bodies. The business is a one-stop shop for high-end manufacturing, highly complex metalworking and advanced machining. Its expertise covers the full spectrum of CNC machining, from sophisticated turning and grinding processes to series production quality assurance, as well as downstream surface and heat treatments. The company is part of the international Teknia Group headquartered in Spain. Founded in 1992, the group has production facilities in twelve countries. The application for insolvency applies solely to the German company.

“We have been able to secure one of Germany’s largest meat companies as a strategic investor and partner within four months as part of a structured bidding process,” said general agent Mr Jens Lieser from law firm LIESER Rechtsanwälte. The contract is subject to the approval of the Federal Cartel Office.

Mr Lieser’s colleague Mr Alfred Kraus from LIESER Rechtsanwälte, who was also appointed general agent for the debtor-in-possession proceedings, emphasised: “Having successfully implemented the process of finding an investor, we have secured a good 320 jobs at the Hasbergen-Gaste site for the long term, as Goldschmaus plans to make significant investments there.”

“Thanks to the engagement of all stakeholders in the proceedings, we were able to move very quickly to implement the acquisition concept for this transaction and thereby develop a workable solution for the employees,” added Dr Georg Heidemann. He and his colleague Dr Hendrik Nowak have been supporting the proceedings and advising the Hein owner family.

“The acquisition by Goldschmaus is really welcome news for all concerned, especially the employees, for whose efforts I am very grateful. This is also the best possible outcome for the general body of creditors,” said Mr Stefan Meyer from the PLUTA law firm, who had been appointed insolvency monitor by the insolvency court, outlining the current status of the proceedings. He added, “Niederschlesische Wurstmanufaktur-Görlitz GmbH & Co. KG will continue to operate in a manner that will, if possible, allow us to implement a commercially viable solution for this location as well.”

The Hein Group based in Hasbergen-Gaste, near Osnabrück, is a long-standing family business and important mid-size employer in the region. Founded by Mr Dieter Hein in 1961, it traces its origins back to the 1930s in Lower Silesia. In recent years, the group generated on average approximately 77 million euros in turnover per year. In early October 2025, the managing directors of the Hein Group applied to the Local Court of Osnabrück, as the competent court, for the opening of debtor-in-possession insolvency proceedings for all of the group’s companies.

Mr Bananyarli and his PLUTA colleague Mr Sven Heuser were already on the ground with the company in the past week and held discussions with the managing director. Today, the provisional administrator provided an update for staff at an employee meeting. The PLUTA team will gain an overview of the financial situation over the coming days. The fashion retailer will continue to operate at its three locations for the time being.

FELIX W. Retail GmbH headquartered in Stuttgart runs a total of three stores – in Stuttgart’s Heilbronner Strasse, at Stuttgart Airport and in Munich city centre. These three locations are affected by the company having filed for insolvency. The business employs around 20 people.

Mr Ilkin Bananyarli said in an initial statement, “The general conditions in the industry are far from easy. The first step will be to stabilise the company’s operations. We are holding discussions with business partners for this.” No further information is available at this time.

FELIX W. is a menswear retailer that focuses on business outfits and formal attire made from high-quality materials. Founded in Stuttgart in 1996, the company sells men’s clothing, including suits, blazers, shirts and accessories.

Dr Kaufmann stated that multiple interested parties have submitted non-disclosure agreements, and some initial indicative offers have already been received. Further negotiations will be held on the basis of the offers. The structured process of finding an investor is being supported by Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, represented by Dr Stefan Weniger and Merlin Smeenk.

On 12 December 2025, the Local Court of Wilhelmshaven ordered provisional insolvency administration for the company’s assets and appointed Dr Christian Kaufmann from PLUTA as provisional administrator. The PLUTA team has held numerous discussions in recent weeks to facilitate business continuity.

Attorney Dr Christian Kaufmann said, “We have managed to stabilise the business despite a number of challenges, and the production of PVC products is currently continuing as planned. The workforce is highly committed and motivated. We are now focused on the process of securing an investor and will endeavour to find a solution by March, if possible. Given how the M&A process is going, I am very optimistic that this can be achieved.”

In addition to Dr Christian Kaufmann, the PLUTA team comprises attorneys Mr Ingo Thurm, Dr Oliver Liersch and Mr André Gildehaus as well as business management experts Ms Nicole Neumerkel and Ms Vivien Doll.

Vynova Wilhelmshaven GmbH is part of the Vynova Group, which is headquartered in Belgium. Since 1981, Vynova Wilhelmshaven has been operating one of Europe’s largest plants for the production of suspension PVC (S-PVC), a high-quality material that is used to manufacture a wide range of products for daily life. The company also produces vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), an essential building block for making PVC. Situated on the western side of the Jade Bight, a North Sea bay, the Wilhelmshaven site has direct access to the sea.

With provisional insolvency proceedings having been ordered, Heilbronner Falken GmbH & Co. KG is not permitted to provide benefits to pre-insolvency creditors, which include all season and ten-game ticket holders. By law, the club can therefore not admit season ticket holders to games unless they obtain an additional ticket. This is the only way to ensure that the creditors are treated equally in the eyes of the law.

All ticket holders will therefore need to purchase an additional ticket online or at the venue box office for each home game. Online booking is recommended to reduce wait times. The club has put in place a system for all season and ten-game ticket holders that is legally permissible and simple to implement. The additional tickets will be available for purchase online from Tuesday, 3 February 2026.

Financial contribution required due to insolvency law restrictions

PLUTA attorney Mr Peter Roeger said, “This financial contribution is required of the spectators, as no creditors can be given preferential treatment for reasons attributable to insolvency law. The parties responsible are conscious that this measure is not easy for many fans, but there is unfortunately no alternative on legal grounds.”

Holders of standing season tickets will have to pay 5 euros for each home game. An additional ticket for a seat will cost 10 euros, rising to 30 euros for a VIP season ticket. The codes on season tickets are now no longer valid. However, seat reservations will, of course, be preserved.

Holders of VIP season tickets should please use the usual VIP side entrance. Only cash will be accepted at the ticket box and at the VIP reception. Season ticket holders will require an additional ticket to enter and will have to present both at the venue. There will be a separate point of access for season ticket holders at the main entrance.

Mr Peter Roeger said, “The team can continue to fulfil its fixtures, and we hope fans will show their support despite the additional cost. It is important for the ice hockey club’s future that we see out the season with the fans’ support.” The PLUTA team also comprises attorney Ms Heike Metzger. Initial constructive discussions have been held with many stakeholders in recent days, and the necessary action has been taken to ensure the team can continue to fulfil its fixtures.

The regular proceedings have been opened after just two months of provisional debtor-in-possession management. The business has been able to stabilise its operations in this short space of time despite the company holidays over the New Year period and the challenging market environment. Production, sales and logistics activities are continuing without restriction at all locations (Ulm, Karlsruhe, Ammelshain).

Restructuring team and investor process

Management is still being supported by attorney Mr Stephan Strumpf (from law firm FINKENHOF) in his capacity as general agent. Attorney Mr Georg Jakob Stemshorn (PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH) is the court-appointed insolvency monitor and had already been overseeing the provisional proceedings.

Debtor-in-possession proceedings are in-court restructuring proceedings designed to rescue and rehabilitate financially distressed companies. Management remains in charge under the legal supervision of an insolvency monitor.

The process of finding an investor for Mocopinus has already gained considerable momentum – following broad market outreach, discussions are now ongoing with interested parties regarding a sustainable solution for the long-standing company. The business employs around 270 people.

Mr Ulrich Braig, CEO of Mocopinus, said, “We would like to express our sincere thanks to our staff for their efforts over recent weeks and to our customers and suppliers, who are standing by us at this time and support our restructuring process.”

As one of Europe’s leading industrial planing mills, Mocopinus specialises in finished wood products for façades, terraces and interiors. The company employs around 270 people at its production facilities in Karlsruhe (around 180 employees) and Ammelshain (around 60 employees), near Leipzig, as well as in administration in Ulm (around 30 employees) and combines many years of wood processing experience with an in-house lacquer production operation.

The employees have been informed about the current situation. Their wages and salaries are guaranteed for a period of three months thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. PLUTA restructuring expert Mr Peter Roeger has already initiated the process of securing pre-financing of these so that the employees will be paid on time. The attorney is handling the proceedings together with business lawyer Mr Maximilian Wanko.

The company has had to file for insolvency due to liquidity problems caused by declining sales in the current challenging industry environment. The PLUTA team is now conducting a comprehensive review of the company’s financial situation. In parallel to this, the administrator will work with management to launch a structured process of finding an investor so that a solution for continuing operations can be found.

Existing orders being processed

“We are focused on keeping the business operational and quickly developing a future direction for the company,” said Mr Peter Roeger. The specialist attorney added, “The technical specialisation, customer relationships and skilled team give us a solid foundation for finding a solution. Current orders are being processed as usual.”

Management is also looking to the future: “Our company has a strong foundation. We are working with the provisional insolvency administrator to meet the present challenges and find a long-term solution for our business and employees,” said managing director Ms Kathrin Gebelein. The relevant parties will hold detailed discussions with customers, business partners and potential investors over the coming days and weeks.

Since its establishment in 2004, the family-run business based in the Hochfranken region has been synonymous with innovative, high-precision laser and bending technology. With its experienced and motivated team, the company offers a comprehensive range of metalworking services – from consulting, material selection and prototype development through to series production. State-of-the-art equipment, rigorous quality checks and reliable logistics, with in-house transport and packaging solutions, ensure durable products and safe delivery for customers in various industries.

This outcome will ensure the solar energy system specialist’s expertise is preserved. The Local Court of Neu-Ulm, as the competent court, opened the insolvency proceedings on 1 December 2025 and appointed PLUTA attorney Mr Florian Zistler as insolvency administrator, following provisional proceedings. The PLUTA team also comprises business lawyer Mr Dennis Stroh. Attorney Mr Martin Jungclaus has been supporting the legal implementation of the purchase agreement.

“I am pleased that we have found a solution for the business. The asset deal opens up future prospects for the solar energy system specialist,” said restructuring expert Mr Florian Zistler. The company has continued operating in recent months while the process of finding an investor was conducted. This has now been concluded.

The acquisition is the result of intensive coordination between all concerned. This successful outcome lays the foundations for the company’s stable future. Managing director Mr Ralf Prestin, who had already previously worked for Sungrade Photovoltaik GmbH, said, “We see potential in the photovoltaic service offering. We want to work together to continue the activities and develop them strategically.”

Going forward, Energie Manufaktur Günzburg GmbH will be responsible for selling the solar energy systems. The company offers consulting, system installation and other services. Its offering includes solutions comprising a photovoltaic system, a battery storage unit and a vehicle charger.

The company can therefore start afresh from a legal perspective. The creditors had cleared the way for this in December 2025 when they approved the insolvency plan without any dissenting votes. The PLUTA team under chief restructuring officer Dr Maximilian Pluta had drawn up the insolvency plan and taken important restructuring steps at the company’s hospitals in 2025. Dr Maximilian Pluta will, as planned, step down from management at the end of the month. In addition to Dr Maximilian Pluta, the PLUTA restructuring team was comprised of business management expert Mr Ludwig Stern, attorneys Mr Peter Roeger, Mr Florian Zistler and Mr Daniel Barth and business lawyers Mr Dennis Stroh and Ms Celine Plaschke.

Dr Maximilian Pluta said, “This process has shown how protective shield proceedings can allow companies to make a fresh start. The debtor-in-possession management phase went to plan, and Kreiskliniken Dillingen-Wertingen gGmbH will emerge strengthened from the proceedings. I would like to thank all involved for the excellent cooperation and wish the company every success going forward.”

Double-digit recovery rate for creditors

Professor Dr Martin Hörmann from law firm Anchor has been overseeing the proceedings in the interests of the creditors in his capacity as insolvency monitor. In total, the creditors in these protective shield proceedings can expect a dividend distribution of more than ten per cent. Professor Dr Martin Hörmann said, “This is the best possible outcome from the creditors’ perspective. The protective shield proceedings have now been terminated and the company can take this opportunity to start afresh.”

Kreiskliniken Dillingen-Wertingen gGmbH can now act independently again. The non-profit company will continue operating under the current legal entity. Since December 2025, the team under the new leadership of Dr Elke Frank has been making a concerted effort with the political bodies to set the company’s hospitals on a forward-looking course and strengthen close-to-home medical care in the district for the long term.

Dr Elke Frank said, “The hospitals will continue providing healthcare services in the region and have a clear outlook for the future, all of which is welcome news for local residents. We will develop the hospitals strategically over the coming months to ensure the long-term provision of close-to-home care.”

Dillingen an der Donau district assembly is the owner of Kreiskliniken Dillingen-Wertingen gGmbH. District administrator Mr Markus Müller said, “It is good news that we can now exit the protective shield proceedings. This has prevented the break-up of the company due to overindebtedness. However, the proceedings have regrettably caused difficulties for many people. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of those involved and affected, especially the employees, on behalf of the supervisory board and district authorities. The restructuring process has successfully begun and must now be pursued consistently. Ultimately, this is about ensuring good medical care for the people in our district.”

Ice hockey team Heilbronner Falken (‘Heilbronn Falcons’) has been playing in the Upper League South since 2023. The club was founded as Heilbronner Eishockeyclub in 1986, and the men’s professional team was spun off as a separate entity, Heilbronner Falken GmbH & Co. KG, in 2003. The company has had to file for insolvency due to payment difficulties. In July 2025, the Falcons only secured a licence for the Upper League South retroactively with conditions attached and a deduction of six points. Although it will not be able to participate in the March playoffs on account of the insolvency, the plan is to ensure it continues to fulfil its fixtures. The last game of the regular season is scheduled for 27 February 2026.

In an initial statement, PLUTA restructuring expert Mr Peter Roeger said, “We are already on the ground, and have spoken with the players. The team wants to finish out the season despite the insolvency. The next home game on 30 January and the next away game on 1 February will definitely go ahead. We are also working with great urgency to ensure the team can fulfil all its fixtures to the end of the season. We will update the fans on this as soon as possible, and would appreciate all the support they can give in the coming days.”

The attorney has also held initial discussions with the managing director and the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB). He will promptly take all necessary action to ensure that the team can continue to fulfil its fixtures between now and the end of the season. The Heilbronn Falcons have their next home game against the Stuttgart Rebels at the Heilbronn ice stadium on Friday, 30 January 2026. The away game against EC Peiting on Sunday, 1 February 2026 will also go ahead. There is already good news for the team: “The players’ salaries are guaranteed until the end of February thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. All employees will receive their pay,” said the provisional insolvency administrator.

Mr Peter Roeger is a specialist attorney for insolvency and restructuring law and has previous experience of dealing with an ice hockey club insolvency: he was appointed administrator for the Bayreuth Tigers in 2024.

The specialist retail chain remains fully operational. The stores originally taken over from its initial insolvency are mainly located in northern, eastern and central Germany, including Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. All 87 stores operating at the time of filing for insolvency will remain open during the provisional insolvency proceedings, and customers can continue to shop at these as usual. Ongoing delivery and service activities are to be maintained with as little disruption as possible.

The provisional insolvency administrator and his PLUTA team, which includes Mr Christoph Chrobok (attorney for general law and specialist attorney for insolvency and restructuring law), Ms Nadja Neuber (attorney and business management expert), Mr Philippe d’Avoine (attorney) and others, are currently conducting a comprehensive review of the company’s present situation and taking measures to stabilise ongoing operations. Hammer Raumstylisten GmbH is also being supported by a team led by Dr Kristian Klüppelberg from consulting firm Aderhold Unternehmensberatung. In parallel to the stabilisation measures, the restructuring experts will thoroughly analyse the company’s structures and conduct initial negotiations in the coming weeks with the main stakeholders in the proceedings as well as potential investors and other interested parties to secure the ongoing viability of the business.

“Our primary task is to safeguard ongoing operations and create a reliable basis for the next steps, which will be very challenging given the rapidly initiated follow-up insolvency. Having said that, we will do everything within our means to find another continuation solution that will be suitably robust. We will only succeed in this if all involved, particularly the main creditors, work closely together and maintain mutual trust,” said PLUTA managing partner Mr Stefan Meyer in his capacity as provisional administrator. A further structured M&A/investor process will be conducted in the coming weeks in close coordination with the creditors’ committee. The aim is to achieve a lasting, durable and robust solution for Hammer.

Employee salaries guaranteed

The business headquartered in Porta Westfalica, a city in East Westphalia, employs over 1,100 people. Their salaries are guaranteed for a period of three months thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. According to management, the company has had to file for insolvency due to start-up delays in the supply of goods following the company’s re-establishment in October 2025 after the initial insolvency proceedings. These were due to technical problems in particular and resulted in the loss of sales and ultimately a liquidity crunch. These issues have now been mostly resolved.

Hammer has been synonymous with interior design quality and inspiration for five decades, having opened its first specialist stores in Bremerhaven and Lübbecke in 1976. Today, the company brings together craftsmanship, advisory services and retail activities and helps its customers produce beautiful, functional and individual living spaces. The company emerged from debtor-in-possession insolvency proceedings in 2025.

Positive development of the hotel business during the proceedings

The solution achieved is the result of a complex and constructive consultation process between the owner company, previous franchisor, buyers and insolvency administrator. “We have come up with a sustainable solution for the hotel that keeps it operational and protects the jobs of all employees,” said insolvency administrator Mr Florian Zistler. The attorney added, “The positive business development during the proceedings was made possible only through the close cooperation of everyone involved. With their great commitment, all employees have contributed to the strong bookings.” Mr Zistler is being supported in the PLUTA team by business lawyer Mr Dennis Stroh.

On 27 January 2025, the Local Court of Aalen appointed attorney Mr Florian Zistler from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH as provisional insolvency administrator for Scoop Aalen Hotelbetriebs GmbH. The business operates the 4-star MAXX Hotel in Aalen. On 1 April 2025, the court opened the proceedings and appointed Mr Zistler as regular administrator.

The transfer of operations will now take effect on 1 March 2026. The existing franchise agreement will be terminated by mutual agreement effective 28 February 2026. Going forward, the hotel will operate under the PIAZZA name of its new owners, the Grimm family, which has already been running the PIAZZA in Dinkelsbühl since 2011 and therefore has relevant experience in the hotel industry.

The foundations for the hotel’s stable future are being laid with the transfer of operations. The new owner family has also expressed its satisfaction with the outcome: “We are pleased to take the hotel forward under our own PIAZZA brand. We see great potential here and want to build on the positive development in the business together with the existing team and successfully position the hotel in the market,” said Mr Jürgen Grimm. He added that the hotel would not focus solely on overnight and conference guests in the future. Rather, the family wanted it to also become a new food destination for people in Aalen. The restaurant concept successfully established in Dinkelsbühl for many years will be gradually adopted, refined and deliberately tailored to the local community.

The hotel in Aalen features 133 modern guest rooms and suites, three convention rooms and its own fitness and wellness area. With its central location directly by Aalen main train station, it is just a short distance from the city centre as well as many leisure and tourist attractions in the region.

Headquartered in Bayreuth, communicall is a B2B provider of inbound and outbound call services designed to support the sales operations of midsize companies. The company is maintaining normal operations without restriction; it is providing services to customers as usual and continuing ongoing projects. The goal of the proceedings is to stabilise the business and develop a long-term solution for the company. The salaries of the 40 or so employees are guaranteed for a period of three months thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. Management informed the employees about the latest developments today.

The company has filed for insolvency due to liquidity problems. Provisional insolvency administrator Mr Peter Roeger is currently working with attorney Ms Jacqueline Tilberis to conduct a comprehensive review of the company’s financial situation and examine potential courses of action. In parallel to this, they are holding discussions with customers and business partners to establish the conditions needed for the company’s ongoing viability.

Business continuing to operate

“As a first step, we are working on safeguarding ongoing operations. Our second step will be to review all options to find a sustainable solution. We will also engage with investors for this purpose,” said PLUTA restructuring expert Mr Peter Roeger. He added, “The company has an experienced workforce and established customer relationships. These conditions provide opportunities for restructuring.”

Management also feels optimistic about the future. Mr Peter Eichmüller said, “We remain reliably accessible to our clients. Our goal is to ensure the long-term continuation of operations. We will work together with the provisional insolvency administrator and hope that a solution can be found.”

The company has filed for debtor-in-possession proceedings to safeguard its long-term viability. Under such an arrangement, management remains in charge and is supported by restructuring specialists. Mr Marcus Katholing from PLUTA Management GmbH will join management as chief restructuring officer and be supported by Ms Daniela Jeske. Working together with both ROFU managing directors – Mr Michael Fuchs and Mr Michael Edl – over the coming months, they will guide the company through the proceedings and implement the restructuring process. Advice on matters of insolvency law will be provided by PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH, with a team led by attorney Mr Stefan Warmuth.

The court has appointed attorney Ms Annemarie Dhonau (LL.M.) from law firm Schiebe & Collegen as provisional insolvency monitor. She will oversee the proceedings and ensure the interests of the creditors are protected. The aim of the proceedings is to enable the company to reposition itself economically and structurally under its own direction.

Company continuing to operate at the 100+ stores

ROFU is an established toy and baby product retailer in the southwest of Germany with a total of 104 stores in seven German states. It has been selling toys from all well-known brands for over 40 years. Children’s books, exercise books, craft kits, puzzles and board games round out its offering. Other key segments are seasonal decorations for the home and costumes for children and adults for the annual Carnival celebrations.

“Our specialist stores with their attractive product range are still open at the usual times and all are continuing to operate without any restrictions. Customers can also use our online shop to place orders as normal. We will hold discussions with our suppliers and business partners to ensure business continuity. In the past few months, we have already drawn up a restructuring plan to put our company on a viable footing. We will now continue to implement these measures under the debtor-in-possession proceedings,” said managing director Mr Michael Fuchs. Those responsible have already informed the roughly 1,970 employees about the latest developments. Their salaries are guaranteed for a period of three months thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. The company is also liaising closely with the Markant purchasing association to ensure suppliers can continue to make deliveries to ROFU as they have up to now.

ROFU has had to file for debtor-in-possession proceedings due to weak Christmas business, persistent customer reluctance to spend, increased costs all along the value chain and intensive competition. As part of a comprehensive strategic realignment, ROFU will position itself to meet the current challenges in the non-food sector. Against this backdrop, the company is focusing on brick-and-mortar retailing, as the very heart of the ROFU Kinderland brand, combined with strong omnichannel integration. The company will also further improve processes, increase efficiency in inventory and space management and work more closely in partnership with suppliers. The aim is to develop the company’s strengths in a targeted way while adapting its structures to the conditions in the market.

Chief restructuring officer Mr Marcus Katholing said, “The debtor-in-possession proceedings give us an opportunity to accelerate the implementation of the necessary operational restructuring measures. ROFU will also continue the process already begun to find an investor. We want to put the company on a viable footing with a new investor.”

“The debtor-in-possession proceedings open up future prospects for the company. I will oversee the proceedings in the interests of the creditors over the coming months,” said provisional insolvency monitor Ms Annemarie Dhonau. Debtor-in-possession proceedings are in-court restructuring proceedings to rescue and rehabilitate financially distressed companies. The respective company can act independently and continue to operate, supported by experienced restructuring experts and supervised by an insolvency monitor.

The creditors’ approval of the insolvency plan is both legally and financially significant. Following court confirmation of the plan, it will be possible to terminate the insolvency proceedings in the near future. This provides the company with legal certainty, clear structures and the basis it needs to continue operating in the long term outside of the insolvency proceedings.

A business model involving strategic diversification is one key element of the company’s future orientation under the insolvency plan and will put it on a broader and more stable footing. The company’s present business and operational areas will be extended for this, for example into the aeronautical engineering and defence sectors. At the time the company filed for insolvency, it had 98 employees. Today, it has 74. The insolvency administrator did not announce any redundancies. Mr Thurm and his team have kept the business operating for more than 14 months since the company filed for insolvency. The PLUTA team includes attorney Mr Günther Hahn and economist Mr Jürgen Schendel.

Good order situation, new shareholder structure

The company’s order situation remains good. The foundry is continuing to operate seamlessly. At the same time, a new shareholder structure will take effect with the implementation of the plan. Two additional shareholders will come on board, bringing expertise and financial stability: Mr Sascha Festing and Mr Jan Kaste have already been with the company as managing director or in a leadership role for some years. This broader shareholder structure will provide a strong foundation for the company’s further strategic development and long-term positioning. Mr Wilhelm Funke and Mr Jürgen Dreyer will continue to hold shares, while Ms Birgit Bredthauer will no longer be a shareholder.

“We are pleased with this outcome. The creditors’ approval is a strong vote of confidence and is crucial for a fresh start,” said insolvency administrator Mr Ingo Thurm. “I would like to thank the creditors for their constructive cooperation and the whole team for its great dedication during the proceedings. With the new shareholder structure, the company is well positioned to continue to successfully pursue the course it has recently embarked upon.”

The insolvency proceedings will continue to be worked through as planned. It is anticipated that it will be possible to terminate them in late February 2026. An initial dividend will be paid to the creditors already in the first half of 2026.

Metallgießerei Wilhelm Funke GmbH & Co. KG based in Alfeld on the river Leine filed for insolvency in autumn 2024, following which the Local Court of Hildesheim ordered provisional insolvency administration for the company’s assets on 29 October 2024. The court appointed Mr Ingo Thurm from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH as provisional administrator. On 1 January 2025, the court opened the proceedings and appointed Mr Thurm as regular insolvency administrator.

The specialist in zinc die-casting remains fully operational, and existing orders are being fulfilled. DRUTEC has been manufacturing technically sophisticated zinc-alloy moulded parts for customers from the industrial, automotive, furniture and electronics sectors, as well as many others, since 1990. By specialising in zinc die-casting, it can manufacture especially precisely – both in small series and large quantities. It also offers mechanical processing, powder coating, surface finishing and the assembly of complete units. Its product range includes, for example, clothes rail brackets for wardrobes and side mirror supports made of zinc, which are mounted to buses and coaches across Europe.

Employee salaries guaranteed

The salaries of the 27 employees are guaranteed for a period of three months to the end of February 2026 thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. The company is facing a number of challenges that have intensified across its industry in recent years, including continued price pressure, a subdued market environment and a decline in orders. These developments have affected its liquidity.

Managing director Mr Dirk Philipp said, “The application was filed following a careful review of the economic situation. The way forward will now be examined together with the provisional administrator. We hope a solution can be found for our company.”

In an initial statement, Dr André Wehner from PLUTA said, “I have held good talks in the past few days. We are keeping the business operating while we look for a solution for it. In this context, we will launch the process of finding an investor, as this is essential for the company.”

The company based in Bünde operates in the timber trade and construction industry and has many years of experience. It supplies both business and private customers with wood of various types for almost every application – from parquet flooring, solid wood planks, plywood panels, worktops, formwork and drywall products to insulation materials.

Company continuing to operate

The company has a workforce of 29 employees, whose salaries are guaranteed until the end of February 2026 thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. It has had to file for insolvency due to a tight liquidity situation. Logistics costs have increased, impacting its competitiveness. Its liquidity position has been further burdened by rising outstanding receivables, as agreed payment periods have increasingly been fully utilised or even exceeded. Strathmann Holz is continuing to operate normally in the meantime. Its specialist store in Bünde is also open for business as usual. In recent days, the relevant parties have held honest and constructive discussions with business partners, who support the continuation of operations.

Managing director Mr Klaus Strathmann said, “Our company is a well-established business with a committed team. Conditions in the industry are tough at this time; we are working with the PLUTA administration team to find a long-term solution.”

PLUTA attorney Dr Ria Brüninghoff said, “We have gained an initial overview and stabilised operations. All customers are receiving their deliveries as usual. Our next step will be to create a long-term vision for the business.”

The PLUTA team also comprises attorney Dr André Wehner and business lawyer Mr Tim Austmeyer.

To this end, the PLUTA team has in recent days held numerous discussions with banks, the State of Lower Saxony and further suppliers and service providers, as well as the other companies in the Vynova Group. A loan from the creditor banks Nord/LB and Volksbank Wilhelmshaven eG has ensured the continued operation of the plant.

On 12 December 2025, the Local Court of Wilhelmshaven ordered provisional insolvency administration for the company’s assets and appointed Dr Christian Kaufmann from PLUTA as provisional administrator.

Attorney Dr Christian Kaufmann said, “I am very grateful that the creditor banks Nord/LB and Volksbank Wilhelmshaven eG have been willing to support the proceedings through a loan. We are therefore in a position to meet the substantial advance payment requirements of the electricity and gas suppliers and thereby keep the business operating. This also means we can ensure at this time the protection of people, the environment and the facilities.”

In addition to Dr Christian Kaufmann, the PLUTA team comprises attorneys Mr Ingo Thurm, Dr Oliver Liersch and Mr André Gildehaus as well as business management experts Ms Nicole Neumerkel and Ms Vivien Doll.

Discussions with investors

The PLUTA team has held early discussions with parties who have proactively expressed interest in acquiring the company. The administrator has also launched a structured process of finding an investor, which is being supported by Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, represented by Dr Stefan Weniger. Market outreach is planned for early January 2026. Dr Christian Kaufmann said, “Our goal is to find a long-term solution by March, if possible, and I feel confident that we can achieve this. The plant is in good condition and the workforce is highly committed despite the difficult situation.”

Vynova Wilhelmshaven GmbH is part of the Vynova Group, which is headquartered in Belgium. Since 1981, Vynova Wilhelmshaven has been operating one of Europe’s largest plants for the production of suspension PVC (S-PVC), a high-quality material that is used to manufacture a wide range of products for daily life. The company also produces vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), an essential building block for making PVC. Situated on the western side of the Jade Bight, a North Sea bay, the Wilhelmshaven site has direct access to Germany’s only deep-water port.

Vynova is a leading European PVC and chlor-alkali company. Its outputs play a key role in the manufacture of numerous industrial products and consumer goods. The group operates production sites in five countries. The application for insolvency relates solely to the Germany company.

The company has had to file for insolvency due to outstanding rent payments from the Group’s insolvent subsidiaries. Gramm Technik GmbH headquartered in Ditzingen and with a production facility in Ilmenau, Thuringia, and Gramm Oberflächentechnisches Institut Bodensee GmbH based in Buchheim had been responsible for the Group’s main business operations. Both companies have been involved in insolvency proceedings since late April 2025.

The long-standing group specialised at an early stage in special coating processes for industrial applications. In Germany, it manufactured in Ditzingen and Ilmenau, while its research and development capacities were concentrated in Buchheim in the Upper Swabia region.

PLUTA partner Mr Steffen Beck is now provisional insolvency administrator for the holding company, which owns the properties at the locations in Ditzingen, Ilmenau and Buchheim. In addition, the company holds 90% and 100%, respectively, of the three foreign subsidiaries, which are not involved in insolvency proceedings – namely, Gramm Industries Inc. in the US, Grammtecnica S.A. de C.V. in Mexico and Gramm Technika Sp.z.oo. in Poland.

Property realisation in the interests of the creditors

The PLUTA team will now realise the properties at Ilmenau and Buchheim in consultation with the mortgagees. It also plans to sell the company’s holdings in Gramm’s foreign subsidiaries in the US, Mexico and Poland. The business is continuing to operate at all three locations. The holding company itself only employs five people, who are responsible for organisational and administration tasks. Their salaries are guaranteed thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law.

In an initial statement, PLUTA attorney Mr Steffen Beck said, “We will review the situation over the coming weeks. In respect of all three locations in the US, Mexico and Poland, my goal is to find investors to acquire the holdings by way of a share deal. We will shortly launch an M&A process for this. From 2026, we will also begin to realise the company’s property.”

In addition to Mr Steffen Beck, the PLUTA team also comprises attorneys Mr Fritz Zanker and Mr Sven Heuser.

Projektbau König GmbH based in Speichersdorf will take on the construction of the housing complex, with work due to begin in spring 2026. The ERL51 housing development is scheduled for completion in mid-2027. Projektbau König GmbH is a subsidiary of the long-standing Hans König & Sohn construction firm based in Speichersdorf, which has been operating in the region for over 100 years.

PLUTA attorney Mr Peter Roeger said, “We have achieved the best possible solution for the project in the sales process. Construction work on the housing complex can begin in 2026. This is really welcome news for the buyers, whose dream of owning a home can therefore become a reality. This is also a positive outcome for the creditors.”

The plan is to build modern owner-occupied apartments with two to four rooms and living space of between 54 and 101 square metres in a central location near the city centre. Prior to the insolvency, a quarter of the units had already been sold; another quarter have been reserved.

KonzeptBau GmbH based in Bayreuth had planned the project and carried out excavation work before activity on the project was suspended on account of the company’s insolvency. The business filed for insolvency in late March 2025. The Local Court of Bayreuth then appointed Mr Peter Roeger as provisional administrator. In early June 2025, the insolvency proceedings were opened for the company’s assets and the PLUTA attorney was appointed regular insolvency administrator.

Attorney Mr Roeger is being supported in the proceedings by business lawyer Mr Holger Christian Buehler. Over the past few months, the insolvency administrator and his team have conducted a structured sales process for the plot with the support of BGA Invest.

Sales process underway for other projects

The sale of the individual project development plots in Kulmbach (Erlenweg with 57 planned residential units) and in Hof (Alter Seligenweg with 55 planned residential units) to companies in the Projektbau König GmbH Group is planned for 2026.

Discussions regarding the project in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Klammstraße with 22 planned residential units) are also being stepped up. Mr Peter Roeger said, “We will continue the sales process in 2026. We are already holding constructive talks. I am confident that we will also find an investor for the Garmisch-Partenkirchen project.”

Customer and service orders are being processed as usual. Liquidity problems caused in part by high energy and material costs have led to the company’s application. It has also experienced significant financial pressure due to outstanding payments for two large projects from a major customer that has filed for insolvency.

PLUTA partner Mr Beck, as provisional insolvency administrator, is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the company’s financial situation and examining the possible courses of action. His goal is to stabilise the business and develop a viable long-term solution for the manufacturer of distillation equipment. To this end, discussions will be held with key business partners, and the possibility of bringing an investor on board will be reviewed. His PLUTA restructuring team, which further comprises attorney Dr Matthias Lehr and business lawyer Ms Sarah Dingler, is also arranging pre-financing of the specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. The salaries of the 13 employees will be guaranteed for a period of three months thanks to these.

Kothe has decades of experience and technical know-how

“We are carefully analysing the situation and working on establishing a path forward for the business,” said Mr Beck. He stated, “The company has decades of experience and technical know-how in distillation technology. This is a solid basis for continuing operations. We will hold discussions with potential investors in the coming weeks.”

Managing director Mr Michael Friedel said confidently, “The past few weeks have been challenging, but we continue to see potential in our products and markets. We want to work with the provisional insolvency administrator to achieve a solution that will secure the company’s future and offer job security to our employees.”

Kothe Destillationstechnik GmbH develops and manufactures distillation equipment with a capacity of 50 to 5,000 litres. This is used to produce high-quality premium distillates from all kinds of different fruits as well as for whisky, rum, gin and other spirits. The experienced employees also carry out maintenance on the equipment and provide training. The patented systems are based on the decades of experience of successful distilleries and combine technological innovation with local craftsmanship. The quality of the equipment is evident in the numerous international awards received by the customers using it to produce distillates.

LiangDao GmbH filed for insolvency due to a liquidity shortage. Following this, on 1 December 2025, the Local Court of Munich ordered provisional insolvency administration and appointed PLUTA attorney Mr Ivo-Meinert Willrodt as provisional administrator.

Salaries of the more than 30 employees guaranteed

The business is continuing to operate without restriction. Initial talks with customers and business partners have been encouraging. The employees are working on customer orders and projects as usual. The company has its headquarters in Munich and a development facility in Berlin. The wages and salaries of the more than 30 employees are guaranteed for a total of three months thanks to specific substitute benefits from the Federal Employment Agency provided under German insolvency law. The PLUTA team has already organised pre-financing of these benefits and made initial payments to the employees. Mr Ivo-Meinert Willrodt gave the workforce an update on the proceedings at staff meetings in Munich and Berlin. The PLUTA team further comprises attorney Mr Stefan Riegger and business lawyer Mr Michael Kunstwadl.

The team has gained an overview of the situation in the past two weeks. Mr Ivo-Meinert Willrodt said, “The business remains stable, and customers support the continuation of operations. My goal is to find an investor that can fully exploit the technology’s potential and keep the business going in the long term.”

The provisional insolvency administrator has started the process of finding an investor with a view to achieving a sustainable solution. Advyce & Company GmbH is conducting the structured M&A process. Interested parties have until January 2026 to submit their offers, which will then be carefully reviewed.

Software for sensor solutions for precise 3D images of the environment

LiangDao GmbH develops software for 3D sensor solutions based on LiDAR technology, supporting applications such as automated driving, smart mobility and digital analysis and assistance systems. LiDAR is a laser technology that measures distances with very high accuracy and uses the results to generate detailed 3D images of the environment. This allows autonomous vehicles, robots and intelligent transport systems to precisely detect their surroundings, reliably recognise obstacles and more. The company supports manufacturers with all key data needed to test and train autonomous driving functions. LiangDao also carries out global testing of driver assistance systems under actual conditions and offers real-time analysis for smart city applications.

The company was founded in 2018, and is owned by a group based in Beijing. Its sister company operates in China and is focused on hardware. The German business specialises in software solutions and operates on a standalone basis; all patents and rights relating to these solutions belong to LiangDao GmbH in Germany.

Founder Mr Michael Pluta said, “We are pleased that Dr Jens-Sören Schröder and his team will bring their expertise to us and strengthen our presence in insolvency administration, debtor-in-possession management and pre-insolvency advisory services from Hamburg.”

Dr Jens-Sören Schröder has many years of insolvency administration and restructuring experience. He was previously partner at Johlke Niethammer, and courts in northern Germany have been appointing him insolvency administrator and monitor for the past 25 years and more. He also advises on turnaround matters and supports companies involved in debtor-in-possession proceedings and out-of-court restructuring processes. Among his most notable proceedings as insolvency administrator have been the insolvencies of the Ufa cinema chain, the Max Bahr DIY chain and the holding company of ship operator Rickmers.

Dr Birte Jensen and Mr Markus Lüdtke have also practised as insolvency administrators for more than 15 years and have long-standing experience in insolvency proceedings for companies of various sizes in different industries.

PLUTA attorney Mr Nicolas Konkel will also join the team under attorney Dr Schröder.

PLUTA partner Mr Christian Heim, who is responsible for PLUTA’s Hamburg-Landwehr office, and his team will continue to practise as usual at the insolvency courts in Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony.

Expansion of restructuring advisory services

Together with Mr Bernd Richter and the PLUTA team, Dr Jens-Sören Schröder will expand the restructuring advisory services, especially for debtor-in-possession and protective shield proceedings, restructuring under the German Corporate Stabilisation and Restructuring Act (StaRUG) and pre-insolvency turnarounds.

At the same time, Hamburg will become the second office of PLUTA Management GmbH, which has been developing its advisory business from Munich since 2016. With locations in both northern and southern Germany, the management company will now be even better positioned to act for clients nationwide.

Attorney Mr Marc Selker has joined PLUTA with his team and is now co-managing PLUTA’s Osnabrück office alongside existing managing partner Mr Stefan Meyer. Staff there work closely with their colleagues in Münster and Bielefeld, as well as in other locations in the Westphalia/East Westphalia and Northwest regions.

After several years running his own medium-sized law firm, Mr Marc Selker decided to join PLUTA. The attorney specialising in insolvency law was not alone in taking this step – attorney Ms Alena Pecher, a business lawyer, and six other members of staff have also moved with him to PLUTA.

“PLUTA gives me and my team an exciting opportunity to further establish ourselves and grow within a dynamic market environment. PLUTA’s market position and presence all across Germany in the field of insolvency and restructuring are key factors in this. I am particularly looking forward to engaging with my new colleagues at the other PLUTA locations,” said Mr Marc Selker.

“We are further expanding our presence with Mr Marc Selker and his team. With him, we are gaining an insolvency administrator who has been appointed by various courts in the Westphalia and Northwest regions for many years. I am delighted that we now get to work together,” said PLUTA managing partner Mr Stefan Meyer.

After more than 25 years in medium-sized law firms, the experienced legal expert decided to make the move from BRRS to PLUTA. Prior to that, she had enjoyed many years of successful collaboration with the BRRS partners. In addition to Ms Jutta Rüdlin, attorneys Dr Katrin Schulte and Mr Götz Fuhrmann-Rüdlin have also joined PLUTA.

“This marks the beginning of a new chapter at PLUTA for me and my team. After many years in medium-sized law firms, I am looking forward to bringing my experience to bear in an interdisciplinary environment. I am particularly excited by the opportunity to actively support not only conventional proceedings but also debtor-in-possession restructuring processes,” said Ms Jutta Rüdlin.

The attorney is regularly appointed by the insolvency courts of North Hesse and Thuringia as an expert assessor, insolvency administrator and insolvency monitor. She is a member of the executive board of the Registered Association of Insolvency Administrators of Germany (VID) as well as a member of the corporate restructuring expert committee of the German Association of Management Consultancies (BDU) and of the Distressed Ladies – Women in Restructuring e.V. network. She has co-chaired VID’s business administration committee with PLUTA partner Mr Torsten Gutmann for several years.

Attorney Dr Katrin Schulte has been working in insolvency administration for almost 20 years. She specialises in advising on corporate insolvencies and litigating disputes. Attorney Mr Götz Fuhrmann-Rüdlin has been handling insolvency proceedings for individuals and legal entities for over 15 years.

“Ms Jutta Rüdlin and her team are the ideal addition to our firm. She combines legal expertise with business know-how and has a strong network in the industry. This is a great gain for our restructuring practice. We have known each other for many years. I am delighted that we will work together in the future,” said PLUTA partner Mr Torsten Gutmann.

Restructuring expert Mr Konen has been the manager of the Frankfurt, Aschaffenburg, Darmstadt and Wiesbaden branches since 2023. His activities are focused on restructuring and turning around companies in crisis and insolvency situations. He is regularly appointed insolvency administrator by all courts in the Rhine-Main region and also oversees debtor-in-possession proceedings as a general agent or CRO.

“We are well positioned in the region and will continue to build on this foundation. I welcome this additional responsibility,” said Mr Konen.

Mr Jakob Weyres-von Levetzow is a business management expert with over 20 years of experience in management consulting. He spent more than ten years at EY in Hamburg working on restructurings and several years as Director of EY Parthenon’s Strategy & Transactions service line. Most recently, the 48-year-old was with RSM Ebner Stolz Management Consultants, where he grew its Hamburg operations. Mr Jakob Weyres-von Levetzow has expertise in pre-insolvency management consulting and in debtor-in-possession restructuring proceedings for midsize companies and family businesses. He also specialises in cost-saving and efficiency initiatives, liquidity management and operational implementation of management strategies. His focal areas of industry expertise include the mechanical and plant engineering, automotive and manufacturing sectors. Mr Jakob Weyres-von Levetzow has been with PLUTA Management GmbH since July and is responsible for expanding its operations in Hamburg.

Dr Dominik Doll is a business management expert (Technology and Management) with many years of expertise in leading and restructuring midsize companies, especially in the mechanical engineering and automotive sectors. The 39-year-old worked for more than five years at Roland Berger as Senior Project Manager in the Corporate Performance, Organisational Transformation and Commercial Due Diligence divisions. He was also an Operating Partner at a private equity firm in Düsseldorf and is a founder of and shareholder in a specialist centre for psychotherapy in Munich. Prior to joining PLUTA, Dr Dominik Doll acquired a company out of insolvency, led it as managing partner and implemented restructuring measures before exiting the business almost a year later. He is currently undertaking advanced legal studies (LL.M. corp. restruc.) in Heidelberg, which will be completed by the end of this year. Dr Dominik Doll has been working at PLUTA’s Munich office since August. He will support companies with financial and personnel turnaround management and take charge of restructuring measures.

Mr Wolfram Fünder is an experienced real estate specialist and has been working for PLUTA at its Hamburg office since early July. The real estate economist is helping Mr Sascha Witt to further expand PLUTA’s property segment. Mr Wolfram Fünder has more than 25 years of experience in the industry and has been responsible for numerous complex commercial real estate projects. He worked for more than ten years as Director Asset Management at FREO Financial & Real Estate Operations GmbH. He also spent several years as a real estate asset manager at Allianz Real Estate Germany GmbH and Dresdner Bank AG. Most recently, he was Senior Asset Manager with RFR Management GmbH and Director Asset Management at pure development GmbH. His areas of expertise include asset and inventory management, tenant base analysis and rental management as well as the identification and implementation of restructuring and value enhancement measures and the provision of support for acquisition and sales processes. Mr Wolfram Fünder has acted for both owners and investors and will provide pre-insolvency advisory services to banks and capital providers at PLUTA. He will also manage real estate in insolvency scenarios.

In welcoming these new additions, PLUTA is expanding its real estate expertise for special situations and strengthening its restructuring business in Munich and for northern Germany from its Hamburg office. PLUTA Management GmbH is a steadily growing firm focused on the challenges facing SMEs and on current industry hotspots, including the automotive, real estate and health sectors. With its new employees, PLUTA has added established experts with a hands-on mentality who are committed to supporting companies in a responsible role.

Managing director Dr Maximilian Pluta said, “We are strengthening our team with experienced experts. Restructuring consulting is a growing business and we can further expand our offering in this area in a targeted manner with Mr Jakob Weyres-von Levetzow and Dr Dominik Doll. We also see great potential in the real estate segment and have brought Mr Wolfram Fünder on board as a specialist in this. Together with our offices in Hanover, Bremen and Hamburg, we are building our restructuring expertise in the northern German market. All of this means we are very well positioned for the future.”

The new address is: Kröpeliner Straße 64, 18055 Rostock.

The telephone and fax numbers remain the same. The branch manager is attorney Mr Michael Bohnhoff, who is delighted with the modern office in the heart of Rostock.

PLUTA celebrates 25 years in Munich

In addition to the relocation, the Munich branch is also celebrating its 25th anniversary. It has seen continuous developments since its official opening in spring 2000. Originally located in the outskirts of Munich, the team already moved to Barthstraße 16 back in 2002. Now it is set to relocate to modern office premises.

The Munich team has chalked up numerous successes over the years, including many restructurings of medium-sized businesses. Most recently, it succeeded in achieving an insolvency plan solution for the MARO housing cooperative. It is currently involved in a number of high-profile proceedings, including those of solar technology company Sono Motors, insurer FWU, management consultancy Achtzig20, communications agency Olando, fashion house Ted Baker and online retailer windeln.de SE.

The branch employees offer a full range of services, from insolvency administration and legal consulting through to restructuring. PLUTA Management GmbH under managing director Dr Maximilian Pluta has its headquarters in Munich, from where the PLUTA International Desk also coordinates international activities.

Mr Ivo-Meinert Willrodt, branch manager and managing partner, is looking confidently to the future. “The new premises will give us the opportunity to continue our growth trajectory in Munich and Bavaria. The new location also offers excellent amenities and can be very easily reached by our clients and business partners.”

Mr Perna has been appointed branch manager jointly with Mr Vittorio Cardano and will be responsible for the development of PLUTA’s business in the Italian market. The duo will also leverage synergies with PLUTA’s international network.

Managing partner Dr Maximilian Pluta said, “Our strategy at PLUTA is to strengthen our team with attorneys that can assist national and international companies. Mr Perna is the perfect addition thanks to his legal and language skills as well as his network in Italy. We are delighted to welcome him to PLUTA. He will contribute in an important way to the success of our clients.”

Mr Vittorio Cardano said, “PLUTA is growing in Italy – also thanks to the collaboration with Germany. With Mr Perna, we have an excellent colleague with international experience who will assist our clients in the corporate and restructuring sectors. We are looking forward to the collaboration.”

Mr Armando Perna said, “I am delighted to be joining the PLUTA team. The Italian branch office has an impressive growth plan that we will implement going forward. Restructuring and insolvency are not only a national matter anymore: an international approach is key to supporting our clients and to the development of their business in Italy and further afield. With its locations in Germany and Italy as well as its international network, PLUTA is excellently positioned to meet its targets.”

These fraudulent emails were sent to third parties via the domain pluta.berlin, which was registered on 26 February 2025 as far as is currently known. The fraudsters used PLUTA’s brand name, logo and business address for these.

Such emails tend to be sent en masse to SMEs and industrial companies, advertising a supposed advance sale of insolvency goods. With this type of fraud, payment is typically requested up front but the goods are never delivered.

PLUTA wishes to point out that its attorneys and insolvency administrators do not send mass mailings or advertise stock sales in insolvency proceedings.

This scam is not new. PLUTA already issued a warning about such emails in late 2023.

As is standard in these circumstances, PLUTA has filed a criminal complaint against unknown persons. In parallel to this, the operator of the domain was immediately instructed to suspend the account without delay and to save all stored data for the police investigation. The operator has already blocked the domain. Anyone affected should report these incidents to the police.

Branch manager Mr Patrick Meyerle said, “Relocating to our new premises gives us more space and means we can continue to expand. The central location, modern infrastructure and ease of access make the tower the ideal spot.”

The Business Tower in Ostendstrasse is a city landmark and offers a spectacular view as Nuremberg’s tallest building. Standing 135 metres high, the office tower is as much a part of the city’s skyline as Nuremberg Castle and the Telecommunications Tower.

PLUTA’s team in Nuremberg has worked on numerous proceedings to date and has achieved investor solutions for transformer specialist TRAMAG and for the sole proprietorship feiermeier, for example. The PLUTA team was recently involved in the debtor-in-possession proceedings for transport company Maibach Logistik, with the insolvency monitor being appointed from among their ranks. The insolvency proceedings for kitchen design firm Küchen Quelle are among the biggest in the region. Some 4,000 creditors have filed their claims for registration in the insolvency schedule and the team is continuing to review the registered claims and other options involving the assertion of legal rights.

The new address is: Berliner Strasse 3, 32052 Herford. The telephone and fax numbers remain the same. The branch manager is attorney Mr Frank Schorisch, who is delighted with the new premises in the heart of Herford.

His areas of expertise include overall financial and operational management, in specific the implementation of restructuring measures, drafting and reviewing of integrated business plans and restructuring concepts, as well as direct cashflow forecasts. The 34-year-old financial advisor also helps corporates to execute sell-side and buy-side M&A transactions, whereby he, among others, conducts Financial Due Diligence assessments and guides his clients through transaction processes. As managing director of the newly established PLUTA Digital, he is implementing the digitalisation strategy for PLUTA’s advisory services.

In addition to his nationwide activities, he also leads international projects and gained in-depth insights into the U.S. restructuring practice during a one-year secondment with network partner B. Riley Financial in Atlanta and New York.

Expansion and international project work

PLUTA’s Managing Director Dr Maximilian Pluta said, “Simon has been a very important part of our team for many years, taking on responsibility in our projects and within our organization. His promotion to Partner is a logical step to continue our successful path together and to strategically advance our restructuring and transaction advisory services.”

Simon commented, “I am very excited about this next phase of my path at PLUTA and the opportunity to continue to actively shape the company’s ongoing successful development. By fostering and expanding our national and international network, I aim to contribute to our future growth. Additionally, I am highly motivated to take on the responsibility of strategically developing our ever-growing team.”

Simon studied Business Administration in Bayreuth, Beijing and Hamburg, majoring in finance, accounting and controlling. He serves as member of the International Committee at ABI (American Bankruptcy Institute) and is part of the NextGen cohort 2023 of AmCham Germany (American Chamber of Commerce in Germany). The restructuring expert is also member of TMA (Turnaround Management Association, Atlanta) and lectures at IDLO (International Development Law Organization).

The branch managers are attorneys Ms Christiane Patricia Herweg and Mr Philip Konen, who together also head up the branches in Frankfurt, Aschaffenburg and Darmstadt. Mr Philip Konen has been with the company since 2020 and is in charge of the restructuring business. His activities are focused on restructuring and turning around companies in crisis and insolvency situations and he is regularly appointed insolvency administrator. Ms Christiane Patricia Herweg is a specialist attorney for insolvency and restructuring law and has been with PLUTA since 2015. She has many years of experience in insolvency law, particularly in the area of insolvency rescission, and has for years been regularly appointed insolvency administrator. “We are purposefully expanding our position in the region by opening the branch in Wiesbaden and are looking forward to the new challenges ahead,” said both attorneys.

The PLUTA team is currently working on real estate proceedings from the Wiesbaden branch. The Traumhaus Group, for example, is involved in insolvency proceedings with several of its companies.

In the changed market environment, several real estate companies and project developers have already been thrown into crisis, particularly due to sudden and sharp increases in interest rates, considerably higher construction costs and falling transaction volumes. The number of insolvencies has therefore risen significantly with the PLUTA team supporting several real estate proceedings at this time.

By welcoming Mr Sascha Witt to the team, PLUTA has gained a real estate expert that will further develop the company’s consulting services in its restructuring business in particular. His expertise will help property companies to restructure at an early stage, including dealing with real estate non-performing loans (NPLs).

More than 25 years of real estate experience

As a qualified banker, business management graduate, real estate economist (ebs) and chartered surveyor, Mr Sascha Witt has over 25 years of interdisciplinary expertise in the property sector. Early in his career, he worked at auditing and management consultancy firm Arthur Andersen (subsequently EY), where his tasks included supporting the valuation of property and non-performing loan portfolios and conducting due diligence on real estate transactions. Mr Sascha Witt was at Commerz Real AG prior to joining PLUTA, initially as Head of Real Estate Markets Germany and most recently as Head of Real Estate Asset Management Institutional.

Over the course of his career, Mr Sascha Witt has held numerous senior positions at private equity property owners and investors, open-end and close-end real estate funds, special funds and family offices – always with a focus on asset/portfolio management and transactions. During the financial crisis, he worked for a private equity investor and also assumed a long-term mandate for the restructuring business at the Royal Bank of Scotland. Mr Sascha Witt has been engaged in matters of non-performing loans and restructuring of commercial real estate for many years and been able to gather wide-ranging practical experience. He is therefore well positioned to address the challenges in the property sector currently impacting financing banks, mezzanine lenders and project developers in particular.

Managing director Dr Maximilian Pluta said, “The real estate sector is important for PLUTA. Through Mr Sascha Witt’s expertise and network, we will further expand our consulting business in this industry. We can expect a number of interesting advisory mandates in this area over the coming years.”

With this new addition to its ranks, PLUTA is further pursuing its growth strategy so that it can advise companies with an extensive range of services. Mr Sascha Witt said, “My move to PLUTA is an exciting challenge and I look forward to putting our joint efforts into providing comprehensive advice to real estate companies in crisis. The brand is very well known in the restructuring business and I want to do my part to help shape PLUTA’s expansion.”

“Gravenbrucher Kreis has gained a highly experienced insolvency and restructuring expert with Mr Stefan Meyer. His expertise and perspectives will add significant value to the group’s work,” said Mr Stefan Denkhaus, Chair of Gravenbrucher Kreis, commenting on the new admission.

Mr Stefan Meyer is a partner at the PLUTA law firm, where he also heads up the Bielefeld, Essen, Lübbecke, Münster, Osnabrück and Paderborn branch offices. He is an attorney for general law, a specialist attorney for insolvency and restructuring law, a qualified bank clerk and a lecturer at the University of Münster. In addition to many other proceedings, he has been involved as an insolvency administrator, insolvency monitor or restructuring expert in the insolvency proceedings for TuS Nettelstedt GmbH (top German professional handball league), the MAG Metz Group, Wellemöbel GmbH, the Teilzeit Thiele Group, GERRY WEBER AG, Leysieffer GmbH & Co. KG, Flughafen Paderborn/Lippstadt GmbH, FRIMO (Group) GmbH, AWO Arbeiterwohlfahrt OWL e. V. and SIGNA Sports United GmbH.

About Gravenbrucher Kreis e. V.

Representatives of Germany’s leading insolvency law firms have been associated within Gravenbrucher Kreis since 1986. The group’s members are distinguished by their substantial experience and competence in restructuring and insolvency proceedings throughout Germany. The members pledge to maintain the highest standards of quality and service, which is verified by the exclusive, independently audited InsO Excellence certificate (InsO stands for the German Insolvency Code). The group currently has 30 members (19 active and 11 passive). Mr Stefan Denkhaus is the Chair of Gravenbrucher Kreis.
Since its foundation, Gravenbrucher Kreis has seen a role for itself in the continued advancement of restructuring and insolvency law and related legal fields from the viewpoint of practitioners. It also brings its experience to bear in cross-border corporate insolvencies and contributes to the development of international standards and regulations in restructuring.
Authoritative assessments and expert opinions derived through interdisciplinary knowledge sharing and collective discussions within Gravenbrucher Kreis are held in high regard by restructuring and insolvency professionals in Germany and abroad and are taken into account in legislative procedures

These fraudsters are contacting businesses by email to notify them of stock being sold at highly attractive prices in the context of insolvency proceedings. The insolvent companies and the products offered do not actually exist. The fraudsters secure payment up front and then never deliver the goods. The perpetrators take very deliberate steps in order to appear credible. For example, they may forge local court orders and add the logo of a fake law firm to their email signatures. Their websites and content also appear very professional.

In the past week, PLUTA has learned that fraudsters have copied the content of its website almost word for word to a fake website in order to give the impression that they are running a legitimate operation. PLUTA has filed a criminal complaint in response. A similar website had already been previously taken offline after PLUTA reported it to the relevant hosting company and the authorities.

Companies and individuals can suffer considerable financial damage as a result of such fraud. Anyone affected should report these incidents to the police. PLUTA wishes to point out that attorneys and insolvency administrators do not send unsolicited mass mailings or advertise stock sales in insolvency proceedings. When anything of this nature arises, it is important to investigate whether the law firm in question actually exists and engages in insolvency proceedings. One useful resource for this is the Official Nationwide Register of Lawyers compiled by the German Federal Bar (BRAK): https://bravsearch.bea-brak.de/bravsearch/index.brak

Attorney Mr Michael Pluta, managing partner at PLUTA, said, “The fraudsters are very clever in their approach and forge all of the documents. We immediately wanted to raise this issue publicly in order to alert businesses. We cannot allow criminals to profit from a supposed insolvency or abuse the integrity of our profession.”

Attorney Heinz-Joachim Hombach is jointly responsible for cybersecurity at PLUTA. He is also PLUTA's data protection coordinator and is responsible for the PLUTA’s internal IT infrastructure together with the IT department.