Insolvency of Kiekert AG: Current status and impact

Supplier Kiekert Insolvency: Outcome Still Uncertain

2025-11-05 By Claus-Peter Köth | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Six weeks after the insolvency filing of Kiekert AG, it has not yet been decided whether insolvency proceedings will be opened. Joachim Exner provides an update on the current status.

Kiekert is the world market leader for automotive locking systems: It has not yet been decided whether the insolvency proceedings will be opened.(Image: Kiekert) — Kiekert is the world market leader for automotive locking systems: It has not yet been decided whether the insolvency proceedings will be opened.
(Image: Kiekert)

The industry was taken by surprise by the news: On September 23, 2025, Kiekert AG in Heiligenhaus (Germany) filed for insolvency, citing the reason that its owner, the Chinese North Lingyun Industrial, had not provided funds in the triple-digit million range.

Joachim Exner from the law firm Dr. Beck & Partner.(Image: Dr. Beck & Partner) — Joachim Exner from the law firm Dr. Beck & Partner.
(Image: Dr. Beck & Partner)

The Wuppertal District Court (Germany) subsequently ordered preliminary insolvency administration and appointed Joachim Exner (photo) from the law firm Dr. Beck & Partner, Nuremberg, Germany, as the preliminary insolvency administrator. His goal is to stabilize and continue business operations: "Together with the parties involved in the proceedings, we are conducting negotiations to examine all options for restructuring."

The fact that Kiekert's production companies, including those in the Czech Republic and Mexico, are not affected by the insolvency—since only a smaller production unit is located in Heiligenhaus—facilitates the continuation of production, which is running stably at all sites. Additionally, according to Joachim Exner, the salaries of employees are secured even beyond the insolvency compensation period.

The Chinese investor of the locking systems supplier Kiekert remains committed to the company. (Image:Kiekert)

It is currently still unclear whether the insolvency application will be withdrawn before the opening of insolvency proceedings and whether the proceedings will be initiated at all. What happens if this goal is not achieved? Joachim Exner: "In this case, the creditors alone, together with the insolvency administrator, will decide the company's further fate. Shareholders and the board will then have no decision-making authority."

Owner Lingyun Plays A Decisive Role

An important, if not the decisive role, is likely to fall to the owner Lingyun. Is there contact with them? Joachim Exner: "Yes, there are contacts. Whether funds for the continuation of business operations will be provided, I cannot assess." If this happens, Lingyun would presumably remain the owner—and would likely have significant discussions ahead with the management board of Kiekert AG.

If no funds are provided, a new owner will be sought. According to the company, the new owner will then find a full order book and innovative new developments for electrified and automated opening and closing systems.

About Dr. Beck & Partner

With eight insolvency administrators and more than 170 employees, the firm founded in 1998 by Dr. Siegfried Beck is among the leading law firms for insolvency administration in Germany. From its headquarters in Nuremberg and seven other offices, it oversees insolvency proceedings with local, regional, and international connections, focusing on the automotive supplier industry. Joachim Exner has been regarded as a specialist in complex cases in this field for many years. He has managed more than 400 insolvencies, including those of Eisenmann and the Dr. Schneider Group. Currently, Exner is also the insolvency administrator for WKW.

About Kiekert

Kiekert AG was founded in 1857 in Heiligenhaus, Germany. The company employs around 4,500 people, is the world market leader for automotive locking systems, and operates production as well as research and development facilities in ten countries across three continents. Nearly every third car worldwide is equipped with Kiekert components. The main production facility for Europe is located in Přelouč, Czech Republic, while the U.S. market is supplied from Puebla, Mexico. Since 2012, Kiekert AG has been part of the Chinese North Lingyun Industrial Group Co. Ltd, which is also active as an automotive supplier.

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