An unexpected blow for the motorcycle community: Kellermann company, a popular motorcycle indicators and accessories manufacturer from Aachen, is now insolvent. The future of the company is uncertain.
A well-known Aachen-based manufacturer of motorcycle lights, Kellermann GmbH, has filed for insolvency under self-administration. The Aachen District Court has opened the insolvency proceedings and appointed lawyer Mark Boddenberg as provisional administrator.
The Kellermann company, founded in 1989, is a leading provider of retrofit indicators for motorcycles and has established so-called “mini indicators” on the German market. These products are often just called “Kellermanns”. According to managing director Ulrich Bos, business operations of the company will continue without restrictions. “The most important message is that our business operations will continue without restrictions and we will continue to serve all of our customers as usual,” said Bos, according to the statement from the responsible law firm “AndresPartner”.
Reasons for the insolvency of Kellermann GmbH
The main reasons for the insolvency of Kellermann company are the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have led to significant losses in sales. The ongoing consumer reluctance in the wake of the Ukraine war and the increased inflation have also hit the company hard. In addition, counterfeit indicators from the Far East have significantly reduced the company sales. Back in 2013, company founder Guido Kellermann had 1,900 counterfeit indicators demonstratively run over by a US battle tank to draw attention to this problem.
The wages and salaries of the employees are secured for three months through insolvency benefits from the employment agency. The shareholders have stressed that they stand by the company and support the restructuring of the company. The aim of the self-directed insolvency is to reach an out-of-court settlement with the creditors.
Bankruptcies among medium-sized companies are increasing
Kellermann hopes to find a sustainable solution through self-administration and to secure operations in the long term. A restructuring specialist will be assigned to the management to implement the necessary measures.
The Kellermann case highlights the difficulties that medium-sized companies are facing in the current economic situation. It remains to be seen whether the measures to stabilize the company will be successful.
