- Attorney Tobias Wahl of Anchor Rechtsanwälte is analyzing the situation on the ground together with
CEO Michael Ostermann and the management teams of the subsidiaries - Business operations continue without interruption – staff were informed at a town hall meeting; preparations for the pre-financing of the insolvency payment are underway
- Stated objective: The focus remains on securing a long-term outlook through a sale to an investor and preserving jobs
Ellwangen, 28 July 2026 – Tobias Wahl of Anchor Rechtsanwälte, the provisional insolvency administrator appointed by the Stuttgart Local Court, is at the VARTA Group’s headquarters in Ellwangen with his team to gain a comprehensive overview of the situation in close coordination with the Executive Board led by CEO Michael Ostermann. “We are focusing our efforts on ensuring that business operations continue with as few disruptions as possible. To this end, we are engaging in intensive dialogue with employees, customers, and suppliers,” explains provisional insolvency administrator Tobias Wahl of Anchor Rechtsanwälte. Employees have already been informed at a staff meeting. At the same time, advance financing of the insolvency allowance is being organized through the Employment Agency to ensure the timely payment of wages and salaries.
Procedural Structure Further Harmonized
To streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles, the Executive Board of VARTA AG and the management teams of the subsidiaries have made a procedural adjustment, notwithstanding their continued confidence in the companies’ prospects for survival. VARTA AG and its operating subsidiary VARTA Microbattery GmbH are transitioning from their original self-administration to the standard provisional insolvency proceedings, in which VARTA Storage GmbH and VARTA Micro Production GmbH are also currently participating. This has no impact on the objective of the insolvency proceedings, which is to achieve a sustainable solution for the companies’ continued operation. The Stuttgart Local Court appointed Mr. Wahl as provisional insolvency administrator for the assets of VARTA AG and VARTA Microbattery GmbH by orders dated July 28, 2026. The VARTA Consumer Batteries division has not filed for insolvency.
The harmonization of procedures aims to significantly reduce the complexity resulting from the extensive intra-group interdependencies among the companies and to facilitate the implementation of a restructuring solution. The change will not result in any disadvantages or restrictions for customers, suppliers, or employees. The management team led by CEO Michael Ostermann will remain in place and work closely with Tobias Wahl’s team. “The harmonization of procedures simplifies the further course of the restructuring. This allows management, the workforce, and the provisional insolvency administrator to work together more effectively,” emphasizes VARTA CEO Michael Ostermann.
The restructuring and M&A process will continue as planned
The change in the type of proceedings does not alter the clear objective of a long-term restructuring. Efforts to launch a structured M&A process to identify new investor solutions are also moving forward. Provisional insolvency administrator Tobias Wahl explains: “My first impression is that, despite all the adverse circumstances, a highly motivated team is at work here. That is an important prerequisite for us in the restructuring process. Our goal remains a long-term and sustainable solution. The change in the proceedings simplifies many processes.”
A long-established company with a history spanning more than 130 years
VARTA AG looks back on a history spanning more than 130 years and is one of the best-known traditional German brands in the electronics industry. Founded in 1887 by Adolph Müller as “Accumulatoren-Fabrik Tudor & Cie,” the company evolved into a pioneer in battery technology. Today, as the parent company, VARTA AG consolidates activities in the areas of microbatteries and energy storage systems. With a high degree of vertical integration, the group supplies customers in the consumer electronics and medical technology sectors, among others. Most recently, the group came under pressure due to deteriorating market conditions, negative currency effects, and the loss of a key customer, which led to a funding gap starting in 2027.
About Anchor
Anchor is a hybrid of a law firm and a management consulting firm. With 15 offices and over 170 employees specializing in insolvency and restructuring, the firm ranks among Germany’s largest restructuring practices. Anchor has advised and restructured numerous large companies both during and outside of insolvency proceedings. Anchor’s attorneys are regularly nominated and appointed as insolvency administrators, trustees, or restructuring managers in insolvency, self-administration, and protective shield proceedings. Anchor Management is known for its business restructuring advisory services, interim management, and distressed M&A advisory services. In its advisory engagements, Anchor combines legal expertise with business know-how.
Team Anchor:
Tobias Wahl, Vorläufiger Insolvenzverwalter
Dr. David Blum, Rechtsanwalt
Jessica Schmechel, Rechtsassesorin
Remo Kruse, Rechtsanwalt