PLUTA attorney Stefan Meyer appointed provisional administrator for ERKA Maschinenbau GmbH

Business remains operational – restructuring options being examined

ERKA Maschinenbau GmbH based in Ahaus has filed for insolvency. On 10 October 2025, the Local Court of Münster ordered provisional insolvency proceedings and appointed Mr Stefan Meyer, a specialist attorney for insolvency and restructuring law with PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH, as provisional administrator.

The company, which specialises in machining complex turned and milled parts, remains operational. The 54 employees were given detailed information about the current situation during a staff meeting on 13 October 2025. Their salaries are guaranteed for a period of three months thanks to specific substitute benefits provided under German insolvency law. The insolvency administrator is currently putting considerable effort into arranging the pre-financing of these benefits to ensure the fastest possible payment of the wages and salaries.

Initial findings suggest that ERKA’s financial problems have resulted from the poor overall economic environment, the difficult situation in the mechanical engineering sector and a sharp drop in incoming orders, combined with persistently high costs. These factors have led to insufficient capacity utilisation, put significant pressure on the company’s results and, in particular, created a strained liquidity situation. Given these circumstances, the company ultimately had to file for insolvency.

Managing director Mr Christian Roterring said, “We are facing a difficult period but will do everything within our means to keep the business stable. We want to find a long-term solution together with the provisional administrator and we remain confident in this regard.”

In an initial statement, attorney Mr Stefan Meyer said, “We are currently reviewing the company’s overall financial situation, carefully analysing the orders on hand and holding discussions with all key stakeholders while the proceedings are ongoing. We will stabilise the business over the coming weeks so that we can then focus on the possible restructuring options. Our goal is to establish a strategy for the sustainable preservation of the company and its jobs.” He is being supported in the proceedings by attorneys Dr Ria Brüninghoff and Mr Leon Linz. With assistance from PSM (with business management expert Mr Christian Plückebaum as lead there), the PLUTA team plans to gain a comprehensive overview of the company’s operational and financial situation. Mr Oliver Ruhe-Schweigel from law firm ks rechtsanwälte + notare gbr, Essen, is acting as attorney of record for ERKA Maschinenbau GmbH and ensured the proceedings were initiated quickly and in a highly professional manner.

Founded in 1984, ERKA Maschinenbau GmbH has strong expertise in mechanical engineering, offering a full range of metalworking services, and also specialises in contract manufacturing. The company’s core strengths lie in the production of machine parts based on external designs as well as complete machines, especially equipment for specialised cardboard manufacturing. ERKA uses modern CNC machining centres to manufacture components and complete systems. The company builds prototypes and produces both individual pieces and series products.