Wave of insolvencies in Solingen and Remscheid: More companies are fighting for survival!

Wave of insolvencies in Solingen and Remscheid: More companies are fighting for survival!

In Solingen, Remscheid and the surrounding region, concern about the economic future is growing, as the number of corporate bankruptcies is increasing noticeably. Loud Solinger Tageblatt A total of 160 insolvency proceedings were registered in the first half of 2025. The forecast suggests that the number of bankruptcies will increase by a further two percent by the end of the year compared to the previous year.

The insolvency rate in the region is particularly striking. Remscheid and Solingen occupy the top places in the “ranking list”, with Solingen recording 52 insolvencies per 10,000 companies. In comparison, Leverkusen is even more critical with 62 insolvencies per 10,000 companies. The average in North Rhine-Westphalia is 99 bankruptcies, the Germany-wide average is 76.

The biggest challenges for companies

The crisis, which is now affecting the entire country, is reflected in the alarming figures. Across Germany, over 11,900 companies filed for bankruptcy in the first half of 2025, an increase of 9.4 percent compared to the previous year. This is the highest number of bankruptcies in a decade, as World reported. Companies are suffering from persistently weak demand, rising costs and economic uncertainty.

A severe blow to the economy is the forecast bad debts of around 33.4 billion euros, which are almost 4 billion euros above the previous year's level. Small businesses with fewer than ten employees are particularly affected, and in 80 percent of cases they go bankrupt. The challenges are also enormous in the manufacturing sector, which has seen a 17.5 percent increase in bankruptcies.

The regional differences

Bankruptcies vary greatly between different cities in the region. Companies in Hückeswagen, Leichlingen, Radevormwald and Wermelskirchen show the most stable values, while the crisis is hitting particularly hard in Solingen and Remscheid. Overall, the financial damage caused by bankruptcies in the region is estimated at around 110 million euros.

In addition to the official bankruptcies, according to the Solinger Tageblatt, there is a worrying number of “silent bankruptcies”, which were recorded with 822 non-public bankruptcies in the first half of 2025. An increase of almost a quarter compared to 2024 is forecast for the year as a whole. These silent bankruptcies highlight that many companies are in worrying condition and may not be able to hold out much longer.

The economy in crisis mode

The overall economic situation in Germany remains tense, and medium-sized businesses are particularly vulnerable. The forecasts are bleak: experts expect that the number of insolvencies in the economy as a whole will continue to rise. The service sector is particularly affected and accounts for more than half of the bankruptcies. This can also be observed in the regional context, where insolvencies are increasing inexorably in many sectors.

The challenges companies face are determined by a combination of internal and external factors. It remains to be seen whether financial stability in the region can be restored soon. Business owners who deal aggressively with these difficulties will have to weigh between starting over and retreating in the coming months. The following table provides an overview of the bankruptcies in the region:

The numbers speak for themselves: economic stability in the region is still a long way off. It will be exciting to see how the situation develops and what paths companies will take to overcome the challenges. The need for support and stabilization measures is becoming increasingly clear!