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Insolvency shock: 650 jobs in northern Hesse affected!
In Wartburgkreis, the AE Group is closing 2025 locations, affecting 650 jobs. Causes: weak demand and bankruptcy.
Insolvency shock: 650 jobs in northern Hesse affected!
In December 2025, the AE Group will close its locations in Gerstungen (Wartburgkreis) and Nentershausen (Hersfeld-Rotenburg). Around 650 employees, including 549 in Thuringia and 134 in Hesse, are affected by this decision. The company, which filed for bankruptcy under self-administration in August 2024, is drawing the consequences from a long phase of uncertainty and lack of investment in the automotive supply industry. How op online reported that new investors were sought for over a year - but without success.
“No reliable takeover offer,” was the clear announcement from CEO Christian Kleinjung, who had previously optimistically sought to restructure the company. The failure of the investor search reflects the tense situation in the current automotive industry. Insolvency administrator Romy Metzger also commented on this and emphasized that the problems were caused by increased energy and raw material prices, international uncertainties and an unattractive investment environment in Germany.
Life after bankruptcy
There is a social plan for the affected employees that enables the transition to a transfer company. This provides, among other things, for continued payment of wages for up to six months, supplemented by training offers and support in finding a job. The collaboration between company management, the works council and IG Metall ensured that these measures could be implemented quickly industriemagazin.at highlights.
AE Group's situation is symptomatic of an entire industry that is in crisis. 2024 has already been a difficult year, with many automotive suppliers filing for bankruptcy. Forecasts for 2025 indicate that a new wave of bankruptcies is imminent, particularly in the automotive supply industry. wirtschaft24.net reports possible increases in the number of insolvencies of 40 to 50 percent in this sector.
A year full of challenges
The pressure on automotive suppliers is growing not only due to sluggish demand for electric vehicles and a difficult macroeconomic environment, but also due to growing competition from abroad. Entrepreneurs now have to invest in new technologies, while their income from selling classic combustion engines is lost. And while major manufacturers like Volkswagen are trying to help with price adjustments, the question of the industry's long-term prospects remains open.
The situation surrounding the AE Group shows that concerns about a possible wave of insolvencies are not unfounded. Consumers are holding back on large purchases, which puts not only automobile manufacturers but also their suppliers under pressure. With growing international competition from the US, China and India, the challenge is clear. The necessary adjustments to corporate structures are therefore essential in order to survive in the difficult environment.
The developments surrounding AE Group are not just a story of economic setbacks, but a stark reminder of the profound challenges facing the entire automotive supply industry. It remains to be seen how this dynamic will develop in the coming months and what lessons can be learned from it.