Insolvency shock: Hammer tree markets in MV lose 3,900 jobs!

Insolvency shock: Hammer tree markets in MV lose 3,900 jobs!

The news about the bankruptcy of the HAMMER hardware store ensures concerned faces in the industry and among the employees. The company Brüder Schlau GmbH & Co KG from Porta Westfalica, which includes the chains hammer and smart, has applied for insolvency proceedings in self -administration from the Bielefeld District Court. This affects a large number of branches, including more than 180 hammer stores, of which 50 are based in Central Germany alone. In general, 3,900 employees are employed throughout the company, whose wages are secured by the bankruptcy money of the Federal Employment Agency, as Nordkurier.

The background of the imbalance are complex. A year ago, the hammer specialist market in Schwerin had to close, which the company said as a result of an "economic imbalance". The 60 wholesale shops of the brand, which mainly supply craftsmen, are also affected. Hammer is represented in twelve cities in Brandenburg, including Prenzlau and Schwedt. This makes the loss for many employees and the regional markets considerable.

What does the bankruptcy mean?

However, the insolvency administrator has announced that for the time being, all branches remain open and orders should be fully fulfilled. Attorney Yorck Streitbörger, who has been appointed general representative, assures that the company continues to run normally, while the management works together with those responsible for a renovation of the company.

This development is no coincidence. The bankruptcies in Germany rose sharply last year. According to IFM Bonn, a total of 21,812 companies filed for bankruptcy in 2024, which means an increase of 22.4% compared to the previous year. The reasons for this increase are complex and go back to current and earlier crises. Companies that have been operating on the market for years are particularly affected.

The effects on employees

The employees of the affected hammer branches worry about their future. Your salaries are currently secured by bankruptcy money until the end of this month. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether branches have to be closed or employed as part of the renovation process. This ensures a tense mood among the employees who hope for stability and the continuation of their jobs.

The situation once again illustrates how violently the competition in retail is stuck and how companies can falter through economic difficulties. It remains exciting to observe how hammer and the clever markets can work out of this crisis and which strategies for stabilizing the company are implemented beyond the current phase.