Hauhinco Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG debtor-in-possession proceedings – existing shareholder acquires the business

There is extremely good news regarding Hauhinco Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, which has been involved in debtor-in-possession insolvency proceedings since April 2025: with economic effect from 1 April, existing shareholder Hauhinco Holding GmbH has acquired the entire business and taken over the workforce. This means the company will be fully preserved. “We are pleased that within just a few weeks we have found a way to continue operations that will save the entire business and all jobs. The insolvency monitor, PLUTA attorney Mr Christoph Chrobok, also welcomed the agreement reached.

“This is good news, especially for our customers and employees,” said managing director Mr Christoph Koslowski. The acquisition by way of an asset deal is retroactively effective as of 1 April 2025; the contracts needed for this were already signed in recent days. The company will continue to operate as usual. “Hauhinco GmbH has acquired the site in Sprockhövel and all assets and has retained the entire workforce. This is a really good outcome for the company and for the creditors involved in the proceedings,” remarked attorney Dr Franz Zilkens from law firm VOIGT SALUS. He and his partner Mr Thomas Ellrich are supporting the business as general agents. They negotiated the asset deal and are ensuring compliance with requirements under insolvency law.

Transfer to investor
To ensure Hauhinco Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG could continue to operate without restrictions, the takeover by the shareholder was pursued from an early stage as a restructuring solution during the debtor-in-possession proceedings. This outcome has now been achieved within only a matter of weeks. “We are aware of the importance of the site for the region, employees, customers and partners. Because of this and given our shared history, as a shareholder we obviously want to see Hauhinco continuing to operate as usual. We have therefore developed a solution that will allow us to reposition the company so as to ensure its future viability and competitiveness. Thanks to the agreement reached in this process, we can now get to work on this,” said the shareholder.

Best possible solution for everyone concerned
The outcome is very positive for all involved. Attorney Mr Christoph Chrobok from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH, appointed insolvency monitor by the Local Court of Essen, also views the result as a success: “I am delighted that a continuation solution could be achieved so quickly after complex negotiations. In addition to the workforce and the debtor-in-possession management team, I would especially like to thank the creditors’ committee for the active role it played in the proceedings. With its support, the company can now be preserved.” He is being assisted in the restructuring team by attorney Mr Oliver Westkamp.

Realignment needed due to market situation
Despite steady growth and strong customer relationships, Hauhinco Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG has seen shifts in the market in recent years and months. Macroeconomic crises, enormous price increases, shortages of materials and general structural change have made it more difficult for it to maintain its stable business development. Hauhinco initiated a comprehensive transformation and restructuring process in recent years with a view to putting itself in a position to continue producing in an economically viable and responsible manner. Debtor-in-possession insolvency proceedings offer the company a way to accelerate this process and realign the business using the tools available under insolvency law.

According to the Hauhinco Holding GmbH, no other businesses in the group are affected by the situation at Hauhinco.