Traditional company Hohenloher Fruchtsafte closes after 70 years!

Traditional company Hohenloher Fruchtsafte closes after 70 years!

In an unfortunate chapter in the company's history, Hohenloher Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co. KG has to cease operations after more than 70 years. The bankruptcy, which was filed in May 2025, is the result of persistently high harvest costs and the associated investment backlog. Despite efforts to find an investor to save the company, managing director Teresa Heller, who only took over as third generation in 2024, was unable to come up with a solution. “We had no opportunity to renovate,” she confirmed. Mercury reports on the harsh consequences that the closure will have on the 24 employees who have already been laid off.

The Hohenloher fruit juice crisis is part of a larger trend in the German economy. According to that Debtor Insolvency Center There was a 26.5% year-over-year increase in corporate bankruptcies in the first quarter of 2024, representing the highest level of bankruptcies in almost a decade. Such challenges, fueled by inflation and rising interest rates, are making it increasingly difficult for many companies to remain financially stable.

The history of a traditional company

The founding of Hohenloher Fruchtsäfte GmbH dates back to 1953, when Rudolf Heller Senior laid the foundation for a company in Schwäbisch Hall that specialized in the production of juice and nectar from regional orchards. Over the years the company expanded its capacity; A new warehouse was built in the 1970s and a drinks market was added in 2000.

But in recent years the company has been hit by a variety of adversities. The frost damage in 2017 led to significant harvest losses, and high raw material prices - especially for apples - also contributed to the misery. “The apple trees produce irregularly,” says Heller, adding that fewer and fewer orchards are being cultivated. Many of these valuable areas lie fallow while the older generation takes over the care and the youth show less interest. daily news adds that selling off the remaining inventory will take around three months.

A look at the future

The insolvency of Hohenloher Fruchtsäfte GmbH is not only a serious blow for those affected, but also sheds light on the challenges within the entire industry. The economic situation has increased significantly and it appears that many businesses are having difficulty adapting to changing market conditions. The path that Hohenloher Fruchtsafte has taken could be a harbinger of further closures in the industry if sustainable solutions to the existing problems are not found.