Our Case Studies

Bürgerbräu Wolnzach AG from Bavaria in Germany had to file for insolvency due to liquidity problems. A PLUTA restructuring expert acted as insolvency administrator. He kept the brewery’s business operations going and held negotiations with several interested buyers. Although the small brewery ceased brewing beer, the insolvency administrator was able to continue selling beer as the company’s warehouses were well stocked. Finally, it was possible to sell the brewery. The buyer originates from the Upper Bavaria region but has been living in the US for several years, where he successfully operates two breweries. Having found a buyer with roots in the region, the PLUTA team achieved the best solution for the brewery and the creditors. This also means that this region, home to the German Hop Museum, will still have a brewery in future.

There is good news for the ski resort in the Allgäu region. After an insolvency filing, things are looking up again. The PLUTA insolvency law experts were able to find an investor for Grüntenlifte. In addition to the ski amenities, the investor from the region also plans to create a year-round family-friendly mountain attraction. New gondola and chair lifts, a natural toboggan run and an extended network of hiking trails will ensure that visitors can enjoy the Allgäu’s pre-alpine scenery. The sale was very challenging, as the PLUTA experts not only negotiated an extensive array of contracts, but also had to take into account different ownership structures and more. The notary appointment alone lasted 14 hours, which shows how complex the matter was.

Personalised customer care, premium products and German quality. All signs point towards a positive future for Warendorf – Die Küche GmbH. The PLUTA restructuring experts were able to successfully keep the kitchen manufacturer’s business operations going and find an investor four months after the company had filed for insolvency. With a new investor from Hong Kong and a new name – now Warendorf Küchenfabrik GmbH – but the same high quality with a “made in Germany” guarantee, customers worldwide will welcome the solution achieved. This is also a positive result for employees. Most of the some 110 original jobs have been saved through the takeover.

The family company’s success story began in the eighties, when KARMEZ Dönerfabrik brought the first industrially manufactured doner kebab skewer to the market. But the company had to file for insolvency. The PLUTA experts were able to keep the longestablished company going and find an investor. This means that the high-quality doner kebab skewers will still be produced in Frankfurt in the future. By selling the business, PLUTA has achieved the best possible result for the company, the staff and the creditors. More than 60 employees were taken over by the buyer.

Insolvency proceedings for the assets of Lielje Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG from Lower Saxony in Germany were opened in spring 2017. The company operated the well-known Ith- Sole-Therme, a thermal spa offering a pool area, various saunas, a restaurant, wellness services and more. The PLUTA restructuring experts kept the business running for nine months, during which time visitors had access to all facilities, without restriction. Following intensive negotiations, the PLUTA team found a solution and sold the business to a group of seven investors, all of whom came from the region and felt it was very important to maintain the spa. All jobs and the popular leisure facility in this rural part of Lower Saxony were thereby secured.

The management of Münsterländische Margarine-Werke J. Lülf GmbH, a supplier of margarine and fat products as well as milk drinks, conducted debtor-in-possession insolvency proceedings. Under such an arrangement, management remains in charge and guides the company through the crisis itself. A PLUTA expert acted as insolvency monitor, supervising the restructuring process in the interests of the creditors. The insolvency was mainly the result of the adverse market situation and the decline in demand in the lowermargin margarine segment. Business activities were maintained without restriction during the proceedings, and an investor was sought. The successful bidder presented an acquisition concept that would retain the most jobs. A total of 49 jobs were saved as a result.

The insolvency law experts from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH found an investor for Straubinger Metallbau GmbH, based in Bavaria. The company, which has been operating for more than 40 years, filed for insolvency due to liquidity problems. Its core competencies lie in metal and steel construction and fire protection measures. In this area, the company also advises architects and building contractors. The buyer is the former managing director, who set up the company and then successfully managed it for years. Under the asset deal, this long-standing company will retain its name and all jobs have been saved.

The automotive supplier Scheeff, based in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg, had to file for insolvency some years ago. The PLUTA insolvency administration team kept the business going for almost one year and implemented important restructuring measures. Some 1.5 million euros had to be invested during the insolvency proceedings to meet official and other requirements. Following intensive negotiations, a solution was found for the company. A well-known group of companies from the region with over 1,000 employees acquired the foundry and kept on more than 100 of its employees. Creditors received a recovery rate of more than 20%.

GfI employed many highly qualified people, but sales still declined, as its focus on customers in the automotive sector proved to be a problem. In order to best position itself for other industrial sectors as well, GfI filed an application for debtor-in-possession insolvency proceedings. Management remained in charge and guided the company through the crisis itself. A PLUTA expert was appointed as insolvency monitor by the court to protect the interests of the creditors. The company was restructured during the proceedings and was sold to and integrated into an engineering service provider group with international operations.

QSSL Industrieservice GmbH, based in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg, was a provider of quality assurance services as well as various services for the automotive sector in particular. The company, with several /our-firms in Germany, had to file for insolvency in 2019. Just two months later, the PLUTA restructuring experts managed to find a follow-up solution which ensured that all jobs were saved. The business has been acquired by TRIGO Böllinger Technik from Bremen, the German subsidiary of the renowned TRIGO Group based in France.