Effort to Find Buyers for Insolvent Ziegler Group Moves Forward

An internal letter from the provisional insolvency administrator, reviewed by BR24 (1-7-25), indicates that the search for investors for segments of the insolvent Ziegler Group, headquartered in Bavaria, Germany, is nearing its initial conclusions.

In late November, parent company Ziegler Holding GmbH filed for insolvency, followed by more than the approximately 40 subsidiaries. That included Ziegler Holzindustrie GmbH, the original company of the Ziegler Group, whose sawmill is one of the largest in Europe.

The letter states that the goal is to finalize concrete contracts in the second half of January. If neither creditors nor antitrust authorities raise objections, the first successful sales could occur by the end of the month. This primarily concerns the wood division but also includes other parts of the company. As recently as December, it was indicated that initial offers would be submitted in January, with solutions expected to be developed within Q1.

Notably, Ziegler has recently resumed receiving log supplies, temporarily replenishing its material warehouses. However, sawmill operations can only restart after investor negotiations are finalized, according to a spokesperson for the provisional insolvency administrator, as reported by BR24.

The letter also reassures approximately 3,000 Ziegler employees regarding the insolvency benefit, which expires at the end of January. For those affected, whose subsidiaries do not have a solution in place by February 1, this does not necessarily mean an immediate loss of their jobs. Currently, business operations can continue at many of these companies.