Weilheim/Gilching, September 13, 2024. The operations of Helvoet Rubber & Plastic Technologies GmbH & Co. KG has now been saved after filing for insolvency. RF Duroplast GmbH, part of the Gunzenhausen-based RF Group, has legally taken over the company with the approval of the creditors' meeting granted yesterday. The successful sale was preceded by almost a year of business continuation with intensive cooperation between the management and the team of insolvency administrator Dr Hänel from Anchor Rechtsanwälte. The German part of the Helvoet Group had to file for insolvency at the end of 2023. The main reasons for this were insufficient capacity utilization following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and problems with the global supply chains. The situation was exacerbated by increasing competition from low-wage countries and significant increases in energy costs.

Specialist for Duroplast

The company was founded in 1949 as a family business and specializes in plastics processing. Since 2013, it has been part of the Dutch Helvoet Group, which also has production facilities in the Netherlands, Belgium, India and Poland. The company site in Gilching specializes in the production of injection-moulded parts made from thermoset and thermoplastic materials. The company sees itself as a proven specialist in the production of thermoset in particular as this material is difficult to process. It can be used as an alternative to metal but is lighter. With its own twelve injection molding machines, Helvoet can produce parts with precision. Its customers include companies from the Siemens Group, the bicycle brake manufacturer Magura and companies from the automotive sector. The company currently employs 31 people.

Business continuation as the basis for the sale

In close cooperation with suppliers and customers, the insolvency administrator's team succeeded in ensuring good capacity utilization of production at adequate sales prices and reliable payment terms. At times, additional temporary workers even had to be hired for capacity reasons in order to process the orders. The Anchor team received business management support from CLAHO GmbH under the direction of Dr Claus Hornig. At the same time, a structured M&A process began in order to find an investor for the company. This process was managed by InsoConsult GmbH under the direction of Mr. Robert Bischoff. After approaching over 100 potential candidates, negotiations were held with three potential investors. This process has now been successfully concluded with the sale to RF Duroplast GmbH.

Team Anchor Rechtsanwälte

Dr. Robert Hänel

Michael Verken

Gregorio Calocero

David Blum

Markus Koch

Headquarters Helvoet Rubber & Plastic Technologies