Insolvency administrator: Potential investors for Meyer Burger

The company is currently negotiating with potential investors to rescue solar module manufacturer Meyer Burger after filing for insolvency for plants in Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony. The provisional insolvency administrator Lucas Flöther told Deutsche Presse-Agentur: "The response to the investor process has been good, there are a number of interested parties with whom we are currently negotiating."

At the end of May, the Swiss company in Thun announced that it had filed for insolvency for its German subsidiaries with a total of around 600 employees. Short-time working had already been introduced beforehand. In addition, the solar glass manufacturer Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg in Lusatia recently filed for insolvency.

The solar industry in Germany is in crisis, particularly in the production of solar modules. European companies are unable to assert themselves against cheap competition from China.

Chances of restructuring "considerably improved"

On the chances of restructuring in view of the ailing solar industry, the specialist lawyer said: "This crisis is of course real." However, two things must be taken into account: "Meyer Burger has excellent products, outstanding expertise and state-of-the-art production." The insolvency now offers investors the opportunity to take over the company without existing liabilities. "In this respect, the insolvency proceedings have significantly improved the chances of restructuring."

Wages and salaries secured until the end of August

Production is currently at a standstill. However, the wages and salaries of employees at the Bitterfeld-Wolfen site (Meyer Burger Industries) and in Hohenstein-Ernstthal (Meyer Burger Germany) are secured until the end of August thanks to the insolvency substitute benefits, said Flöther. "We want to use this period to press ahead with the investor process. What happens next will depend on whether there is an investor by then and what concept they pursue."