Kelheim Fibres GmbH announced that it would terminate all business operations by March 31, 2026, after failed restructuring efforts. Despite undergoing a self-administration process, a potential strategic investor withdrew at the last minute. The company cited a lack of economically viable order volumes and the loss of support from a key customer as the primary reasons for the shutdown.

The closure impacts approximately 400 employees, who were informed during a works meeting on January 26. To mitigate the blow, the management and Works Council have established a social plan and a transfer company to assist staff in finding new employment. Following a final 'run-out' production phase, the historic manufacturer will begin an orderly wind-down, marking a significant loss for the European textile and chemical industry.

Read more in their press release here

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On March 9, 2026, the Regional Court of Innsbruck opened insolvency proceedings for Nothegger Transport Logistik, a major Tyrolean haulage firm. The move followed a petition by the Austrian Health Insurance Fund over unpaid social security contributions. With a fleet of over 700 vehicles and around 300 employees, the company’s total liabilities are estimated at about €15 million, including €9.2 million in bank debt and €5 million in taxes and social contributions.

The crisis is primarily attributed to a liquidity squeeze caused by the expiration of pandemic-era tax and social contribution moratoria. Despite management's efforts to secure an investor or sell property assets, the timing proved insufficient. While other group entities like Nothegger Systemlogistik remain unaffected, an administrator is now evaluating whether the transport division can continue operations. Creditors have until April 27, 2026, to file claims.

Read more at Transporto Europa

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The automotive sector appears to be facing a perfect storm in 2026, which is generating an intense wave of structural reorganisation. According to Automotive Manufacturing Solutions, the pressure stems from a collision of four factors: high capital demands for electrification, the shift toward Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), stagnant consumer demand, and aggressive global competition.

While traditional manufacturers struggle with legacy costs and EV adoption, new entrants are leveraging AI and integrated supply chains to undercut prices. To survive, companies are consolidating - adopting Gigacasting to reduce complexity, and pursuing mergers and acquisitions to bridge the software skills gap. 2026 is expected to be a year of considerable flux, where firms must either successfully pivot to digital-first manufacturing or face potential insolvency.

Full story at Automotive Manufacturing Solutions

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The move comes in a drive to simplify its operating model and shift to a more consumer-first approach. Teams are being reorganised at a regional level, with some roles moving into central group functions and others repositioned into individual markets. The restructuring comes as EMEA revenue fell 6% year on year in Q3, with a 12% decline in direct-to-consumer sales partially offset by a 13% rise in wholesale. Dr Martens declined to comment.

Fewer than 100 of the company's approximately 3,700 global employees are expected to be made redundant, with consultation processes under way. 

The changes form part of a longer-term restructure first outlined in June 2025 under the company's 'Levers for Growth' strategy, which identified organisational simplification as a key pillar.

Read the full story at Drapers

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New York-based New Fortress Energy (NASDAQ: NFE) has signed a Restructuring Support Agreement with its creditors as part of what is expected to be one of the largest ever consensual UK Restructuring Plans. 

The deal will split the US energy company into two separate entities: "BrazilCo", a privately held company comprising NFE's Brazilian operations, to be owned by creditors; and "New NFE", a publicly traded LNG-to-power business retaining all other assets. 

Creditors will exchange their debt for a combination of new debt, preferred equity, and common shares, reducing New NFE's corporate debt considerably from around $5.7 billion to approximately $527.5 million. Existing shareholders will be diluted to 35% of common equity. The UK Restructuring Plan process is set to launch in April 2026, with the transaction expected to close by Q3 2026.

Read more at Business Wire

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