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A cheerful view of insolvency: the fight for 250 Leipzig jobs begins!
Heiterblick GmbH in Leipzig files for bankruptcy. Redevelopment plan approved; 250 jobs affected. First steps to rescue run.
A cheerful view of insolvency: the fight for 250 Leipzig jobs begins!
On July 3, 2025, insolvency proceedings were officially opened for Heiterblick GmbH, a renowned tram manufacturer from Leipzig. Company spokespeople informed MDR SACHSEN about the current situation and emphasized that a restructuring plan had already been approved by the district court. Meanwhile, the search for cost savings is well underway, with discussions already underway with potential investors.
The company employs around 250 people, whose wages and salaries for the next three months will be covered by the Federal Employment Agency, as the current information shows. The bankruptcy declaration was filed in April and Heiterblick is carrying out the process on its own - a decision that gives the managing director freedom of action under the supervision of restructuring experts.
Background to bankruptcy
The causes of the financial difficulties are diverse. The aftereffects of the Corona crisis with lockdowns, absences and necessary adjustments in the organization have placed a heavy burden on the company. In addition, there are market distortions triggered by the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, as Urban Transport Magazine reports. These have not only led to low availability of raw materials, but also to significant price increases.
Another problem is the disrupted supply chains, which result in delays in various projects. Despite these adverse circumstances, business operations continue unchanged during the restructuring process. Heiterblick has been putting trams on the rails for over 100 years and has established itself as an important player in the industry.
Current orders
Despite the bankruptcy, there is an encouraging order backlog that Heiterblick can look back on. Orders are currently being delivered for the following cities, among others:
- Dortmund: 24 Straßenbahnen + 2 aus Option
- Würzburg: 18 in Auslieferung + 9 Optionen
- Görlitz: 8 Straßenbahnen + 1 Wasserstoff-Tram bei Hörmann
- Zwickau: 6 Straßenbahnen + 12 Optionen
- Leipzig: 25 Straßenbahnen + 112 Optionen und 18 NGT (L)
In order to successfully cope with the insolvency, it is now crucial that Heiterblick, together with its stakeholders, quickly advances the restructuring. The situation illustrates how important it is to find a fair settlement between over-indebted debtors and their creditors, as stipulated in the insolvency regulations. Overall, the insolvency figures in Germany show that companies like Heiterblick are not alone in the storm - in 2023 around 17,814 companies were affected by insolvency.
The state governments and institutions are ready to intervene to provide support. For Heiterblick, this could be an opportunity to free itself from the current situation, create sustainable structures and thus secure the future of the trams and the jobs of the employees.
In this context, the question remains open as to how developments will develop in the coming months. But one thing is certain: the road to restructuring is paved with challenges, but also with opportunities.
For further information on current insolvencies and the legal framework, those interested can take a look at the Statista website, which offers comprehensive data and background information on this topic.
You can also find out more about the developments surrounding Heiterblick GmbH here: MDR.
For a detailed analysis of the situation, visit the Urban Transport Magazine website: Urban Transport Magazine.
Statistical data and trends on bankruptcies can also be found Statista can be viewed.