Overview

• Knaack-Krane, the Hamburg crane and work-platform renter acquired by Hüffermann in 2023, has entered insolvency.
• Court filings show Hüffermann Krandienst applied for insolvency on September 22 in Delmenhorst, with Görg lawyer Tim Beyer appointed provisional administrator.
• Several Hüffermann subsidiaries have also sought insolvency proceedings, including Knaack, Eisele, velsycon, Thömen and Auto-Dienst West Ganske.
• Operations are slated to continue and job preservation is the stated goal, but local reports cite delayed insolvency pay and short-term stoppages tied to inactive toll devices and fuel cards.
• Hüffermann attributes the strain to a prolonged German downturn, war-related uncertainty and U.S. import tariffs near 50% that stalled crane trading; the group counts about 600 employees at 12 sites with roughly €232 million in 2024 revenue.