ROFU to restructure itself as a debtor in possession

ROFU Kinderland Spielwarenhandelsgesellschaft mbH headquartered in Hoppstädten-Weiersbach, Rhineland-Palatinate, has filed for restructuring under debtor-in-possession proceedings. Following this, the Local Court of Idar-Oberstein ordered provisional proceedings on 19 January 2026.

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.