Economic crisis in Germany: Heitmann warns of bankruptcy wave!

Economic crisis in Germany: Heitmann warns of bankruptcy wave!

The economic situation in Germany remains tense and the media is increasingly reporting on the challenges with which companies are currently confronted. This includes increasing bankruptcies, high energy costs and dilapidated infrastructures and bureaucratic obstacles. These problems have an impact on all industries, as Frank Heitmann, owner of the Minden Westhafen, explains in a current conversation. The Westhafen plays a central role in the transport of goods, but the number of handled ships has dropped sharply since corona pandemic. For example, 350 ships assumed before the pandemic was only 94 over.

In particular, the steel industry suffers from high energy costs, which leads to a reduction in production. This also has a direct impact on the transport orders that are handled by the Westhafen. Heitmann also points out the dramatic decline in the market for recycled glass: the current transport is only a third of the earlier amount. Approval problems for dismantling areas for gravel and sand make the situation more difficult, since they are often limited to the bare essentials and postpone larger investments.

rising bankruptcies threaten the economy

The bankruptcy situation in Germany has intensified in recent years. In 2024, almost 22,000 bankruptcies have been reached since 2015. In March 2025, the number of bankruptcies rose to 1,459 - an increase of two percent compared to the previous month. This development primarily affects industry, construction and trade. Tobias Wahl, specialist lawyer for insolvency law, sees not only current economic problems behind the high numbers, but also catching up after the corona pandemic.

An alarming example is the Meeth company in Wittlich, which had to close at the end of April 2025. 90 employees lost their jobs and the company's internal situation, including incorrect IT systems, turned out to be catastrophic. The search for a new investor was unsuccessful, which made the processing even more complicated. Jürgen Philippi, auctioneer, warns of an even more serious development in the automotive industry and the construction industry, during the Federal Association of German Industry (BDI) demands relief for companies.

political decisions as a key factor

Frank Heitmann also addresses the role of political decisions that could significantly influence future development. The decline in company foundations and the high corporate density show that the current framework conditions provoke a structural crisis. The companies strain high energy costs and increased raw material prices, while a shortage of skilled workers and high interest rates further tighten the situation.

From the perspective of Heitmann and many other entrepreneurs, a fundamental reform is necessary to regain trust in the economy and address the challenges. The uncertainties in the economic situation remain great and the coming months will be crucial for the future of numerous companies in Germany.

The complicated market situation and the steadily growing figures on corporate bankruptcies illustrate how serious the current economic situation is. The pioneering work of entrepreneurs such as Frank Heitmann and the ongoing discussion about the role of politics are essential to bring about a turn in the German economy.

The information comes from Petershäger Anzeiger and Tagesschau .