German classic manufacturer faces bankruptcy once more after seven decades of operation

In a surprising turn of events, German lighting manufacturer Ludwig Leuchten GmbH has found itself in insolvency for the second time within three years. The company, which has been in existence for over 70 years, was founded by brothers Alfred and Erich Ludwig in Mering near Augsburg in 1949.

Despite the recent setbacks, Ludwig Leuchten continues to operate, with its production taking place exclusively at the Elsterheide site in Saxony. The company expanded its operations to include this production site at some point, and it currently employs 25 workers.

The headquarters of Ludwig Leuchten were moved from Mering to Metzingen near Reutlingen in 2017. However, the sales department remains in Mering. Notably, the management, finance, controlling, and marketing departments are all based in Metzingen.

In early 2023, Fischer Elektro- und Beleuchtungstechnik GmbH took over Ludwig Leuchten GmbH in an asset deal. The Fischer Group, a Swabian family company, acquired the machines, enabling Stefan Quaas, the new managing director and former authorized signatory, to continue production with a core team of the workforce at the Elsterheide site.

Ludwig Leuchten's operations include clean room lighting, a specialty that the company has honed over the years. Despite the insolvency, the company has advertised vacant positions, indicating a commitment to maintaining and growing its workforce.

It's worth mentioning that Ludwig Leuchten underwent a restructuring in 2014, and at some point after 2014, the headquarters were moved from Mering to Metzingen. The company faced insolvency shortly after this move.

The insolvency program of the Federal Employment Agency has been covering wages for the past three months, providing some financial relief during this challenging period. The approximately 15 employees of Fischer Elektro- und Beleuchtungstechnik installation company are not affected by the insolvency proceedings.

Despite the current circumstances, Ludwig Leuchten remains a significant player in the lighting industry, with a rich history and a dedicated workforce. The company continues to work towards a stable future under its new ownership.

German classic manufacturer faces bankruptcy once more after seven decades of operation