Traditional company Peiseler closes its factory in Morbach – what now?

Traditional company Peiseler closes its factory in Morbach – what now?

In an unfortunate turn of events, Wilhelm Peiseler GmbH & Co. KG has announced that its second plant in Morbach, Rhineland-Palatinate, will be closing on January 31, 2026. This step is the result of massive losses in sales, which have severely affected the traditional company, which has been established in the Bergisches Land since 1819 and employs around 170 people. However, the headquarters in Remscheid will remain and production activities will be concentrated there. Some machines will be moved to Remscheid, while others will be sold. The 21 affected employees in Morbach will either be laid off or will be accommodated in the main plant.

To help the affected employees, Peiseler offers support in finding a job. Interestingly, several companies have already presented themselves at the Morbach factory in order to recruit skilled workers. IG Metall in Trier assesses the opportunities for new employment in the region positively, which brings hope for those affected. In the past, Morbach has already experienced phases of short-time work, which places the current closure situation in a larger context of economic challenges.

Tradition in change

Peiseler GmbH, which has over 75 years of experience in the machining industry, has experienced remarkable changes in recent years. A generational change brought a breath of fresh air into the company. In order to survive in a challenging industry, Peiseler implemented a comprehensive redesign of its print media and website. This also includes a new visual language that proudly presents machines, employees and the brand core. BLACKBIRD Ind. was tasked with redeveloping the company's identity, with the aim of establishing a strong brand that embodies both tradition and modernity. You can find out more about this at blackbirdind.com.

Industry outlook

The closure of the Morbach plant is part of a worrying trend. According to a report by Creditreform, around 176,000 companies closed in Germany in 2023. The increase in closures increased by 2.3 percent compared to 2022, while the majority of closures are not due to bankruptcies. Retail companies and services have been hit particularly hard, but the manufacturing sector has also seen a worryingly high decline, with 11,000 closures, the highest level since 2004. This development is fueled by high energy and investment costs, disrupted supply chains and staff shortages. You can find out more about this at creditreform.de.

The closure of the plant in Morbach is another indication of the challenges that companies in Germany are currently struggling with. As the change in the industry progresses, the hope remains that the affected employees will find new opportunities and that the Morbach region will not suffer too much from the economic impact.

For more details on the closures and economic trends in Germany, please read the full report on merkur.de.