Mbw Group announces the shutdown of Hartha and the handover of Lichtenau to a new management entity
The metal surface finishing company, mbw-group, has announced the closure of its site in Hartha, Saxony, by October 31, 2025. The decision was made due to a major customer relocating their orders, making further operation economically impossible.
The mbw-group, headquartered in Rheinmünster, Baden-Württemberg, specialises in galvanic and chemical surface treatment. The company is one of the leading providers in this field and has sites in Rheinmünster, Mühlhausen, and Sommerda. However, no public updates on the operational status of these sites or investor interest are available from the current search data.
The economic downturn in the automotive industry and the resulting financial difficulties have been the main cause of the mbw group's predicament. As an energy-intensive company, the group has also been affected by high energy prices and the requirements for achieving climate neutrality. Additionally, financial burdens from increased costs for materials, energy, and personnel have added to the group's woes.
Despite the closure of the Hartha site, the mbw-group is committed to helping the 20 employees affected by the closure with necessary formalities and supporting them in finding a new job. On the other hand, business operations at the Lichtenau site are continuing under the current terms.
The Lichtenau site, located in Baden-Württemberg, has been transferred to Arthur Henninger GmbH as the new operator from August 1, 2025. Arthur Henninger GmbH is a service provider for galvanic surface coating with locations in Hagenbach and Karlsruhe.
The mbw-group is currently in talks with several interested parties for the remaining sites in Rheinmünster, Mühlhausen, and Sommerda. For detailed and up-to-date information about Schultze & Braun GmbH & Co. KG mbw-group locations or investor developments, it would be advisable to consult the company’s official communications, business registries, local news sources specializing in industrial or economic reporting, or contact the company directly.
A press release about these events can be found in the document Press Release_mbw_htenau_2025-8-6.pdf.
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- In light of the financial difficulties faced by the mbw-group due to the downturn in the automotive industry and high energy costs, it seems that the manufacturing industry's financial situation, not just the automotive sector, could potentially be impacted.
- As the mbw-group is exploring opportunities in the finance industry through talks with interested parties for the remaining sites, it's possible that the restructuring or sale of these sites could involve significant business transactions.
