PLUTA attorney Dr Kaufmann appointed provisional administrator for DUHA Fertigteilbau GmbH

DUHA Fertigteilbau GmbH, a manufacturer of prefabricated building components from Haselünne in the Emsland region, has filed for insolvency. On 7 October 2021, the Local Court of Meppen ordered provisional insolvency proceedings to be opened for the company. Dr Christian Kaufmann from the Oldenburg branch office of PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH has been appointed provisional administrator. The company had to file for insolvency due to liquidity problems associated with quarantine measures mandated following a number of positive COVID-19 cases and the resulting production stoppage, which lasted several weeks.

Provisional insolvency administrator Dr Kaufmann from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH already visited the premises of the family-run business yesterday. The restructuring expert and his team, which includes attorney Mr André Gildehaus, business lawyer Ms Sunny-Jo Linderkamp LL.M. and economist Mr Jürgen Schendel, are now in the process of gaining a comprehensive overview of the company’s current situation. The 84 members of staff have already been informed of the situation. Their salaries are guaranteed for a period of three months thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law.

“Together with management, we are now reviewing all restructuring options and have already held initial important discussions. DUHA Fertigteilbau GmbH has a sound core and a good order situation. We are therefore optimistic about finding a sustainable solution in the near future,” said Dr Kaufmann. The business is still fully operational and orders are being fulfilled.

Certified family business

Since its foundation in 1971, DUHA Fertigteilbau GmbH has established itself as an important manufacturer of prefabricated concrete components. The company has extensive know-how in the manufacture of precast construction elements made of reinforced and prestressed concrete, such as roof trusses, walers, beams, supports, prefabricated concrete ceilings and double and thermal walls. Staff also manufacture special parts such as filter nozzle plates, products made from high-performance concrete, protective walls, cladding parts with inlaid clinker, and coloured and structured façade elements. Furthermore, DUHA offers comprehensive planning, design, verification of stability and assembly services. Highly skilled employees and modern manufacturing facilities ensure continuously high quality. Compliance with the applicable standards has top priority – back in 1996, DUHA was one of the first manufacturers of precast concrete elements in Lower Saxony to be granted DIN EN ISO 9001 certification.

PLUTA attorney Dr Christian Kaufmann has extensive experience in restructuring crisis-stricken companies in the construction sector. Attorney Dr Christoph Bode from Oldenburg is advising DUHA on matters of insolvency law.