Vivanco enters insolvency after more than 100 years in business

Vivanco, a German electronics manufacturer with a history spanning over 100 years, has entered insolvency proceedings. The Reinbek District Court recently overturned the company's attempt at self-administration, appointing lawyer Peter-Alexander Borchardt as the insolvency administrator for Vivanco GmbH and Vivanco Gruppe GmbH.

Founded in 1920, the Ahrensburg-based company became well-known for products such as baby monitors, smartphone accessories, and gaming peripherals. The company faced significant economic challenges, including intense price competition, a decline in brick-and-mortar retail, and the rise of low-cost online offerings.

In an effort to restructure, Vivanco sold its domestic consumer electronics business and brand rights to the Italian competitor SBS in March 2025. While the company aimed to pivot toward retail services, the loss of these core business segments contributed to its financial instability. The company, which has been majority-owned by a subsidiary of the Chinese Ningbo Ship Group since 2011, has seen its workforce decrease from approximately 1,000 employees to around 300.