Varta declares insolvency after 139 years of operation

Varta, the historic German battery manufacturer, has entered insolvency proceedings after 139 years of operation. The company, which traces its roots back to the Afa company founded in 1887, has faced severe financial difficulties despite previous restructuring efforts and public funding.

A primary driver of the collapse was the loss of a major contract with Apple. Varta had dedicated a factory in Nördlingen to producing lithium batteries for the tech giant's headphones, but Apple transitioned to cheaper Chinese suppliers. This shift will result in the Nördlingen plant closing in October, causing approximately 350 job losses.

The company employs over 3,000 people globally, including 2,300 in Germany. In the municipality of Ellwangen, roughly 1,000 workers face uncertain futures. While insolvency administrator Tobias Wall has indicated there are numerous purchase offers for the company, its survival currently depends on judicial oversight and potential investors.