New owner for Orwo Net: Hope for Bitterfeld-Wolfen!

New owner for Orwo Net: Hope for Bitterfeld-Wolfen!

In Bitterfeld-Wolfen there is a breath of fresh air for the traditional Orwo Net GmbH, which can come up with over a hundred years of history. As of July 1, 2023, the Cologne Customization Group (TCG) will be the new owner. This takeover is no coincidence, because in March 2025 the company had entered bankruptcy that resulted from difficult market conditions and an intensive price war. Christian Heintze, the insolvency administrator, confirmed the takeover and is pleased about the continuation of the location, which can secure 146 jobs. The number of employees had previously strapped around 244, which shows that this step also promotes social responsibility.

The bankruptcy, a state in which a company can no longer fulfill its payment obligations, was a not entirely unexpected turn for Orwo Net. Increasing costs and falling demand have gave profitability considerably in recent years. Bitterfeld-Wolfen's Mayor Armin Schenk expressed optimistically about the realignment of the location by the new investor. TCG plans to expand the work into a * European control location for photo products * and attaches particular importance to quality, digitization and sustainability.

A look at the story

The story of Orwo is just as remarkable as the current challenges. Originally founded as an AGFA film factory, the company launched the world's first color film. In the GDR, the name was changed in Orwo, and the company supplied the Eastern Bloc with its products. After bankruptcy over 20 years ago, Pixelnet and Orwo Media were created, which also blessed the time. In 2003 Orwo Net was newly founded from bankruptcy and has been trying to insist on the increasingly competitive market.

Although TCG can take over 146 employees, 72 employees have to lose their employment. Your employment relationships should be ended socially, which in such cases is often considered important. The bankruptcy regulations in Germany help to find a fair balance between over -indebted debtors and creditors. According to Statista, Germany has experienced an increasing number of corporate insolvencies in recent years.

The challenge for the industry

The message about Orwo Net is only one of many in a climate in which bankruptcies are very in the foreground. In 2023, around 110,200 bankruptcies were recorded in Germany, which means 31,000 less than in 2013. Nevertheless, the service sector has to struggle with an enormous increase in bankruptcies, which makes political measures and support to secure jobs even more urgent.

In this uncertain time, the takeover by TCG is a ray of hope. The continuation of the traditional location and the plans for qualitative further development could not only create new perspectives for employees, but also strengthen the Bitterfeld-Wolfen location.

it remains to be hoped that the new orientation of Orwo Net GmbH will be in line with the economic challenges of the industry and that the company can soon be swung on a successful train.

Further information can be found at Zeit , mdr and Statista .