Bad Homburg, 25th February 2026 – In December 2025, SKion GmbH (“SKion”) concluded an agreement via two newly founded subsidiaries to take over significant parts of the business from the self-administration proceedings of BMZ Holding GmbH and BMZ Germany GmbH („BMZ Group“). Following approval by the antitrust authorities, the transaction was completed today. This clears the way for the company to make a fresh start under new ownership and management.
Renaming
SKion was previously a minority shareholder in the BMZ Group. After the group filed for self-administered insolvency proceedings in October 2025, SKion supported the company and provided it with bridge financing to ensure the continuation of its business operations. SKion is now the sole owner of the group. Its subsidiaries BMZ Battery Solutions GmbH, as an international holding company, and BMZ Battery Solutions Germany GmbH, in Germany, have taken over the business areas. The two companies are not legal successors to the insolvent BMZ companies.
New management team
Dr. Hartung Wilstermann is now CEO. The electrical engineer has been involved in the manufacture and marketing of lithium-ion battery systems at various companies since 2010. He is experienced in setting up efficient structures and organizations and in working in partnership with customers and suppliers along international value chains. Alexander Koch is CFO of the new group. The former auditor has many years of experience as CFO in international companies, particularly in transformation and change programs, and has been with the BMZ Group since March 2025. The team manages both the holding company and the company in Germany.
New start
The aim is to expand the business nationally and internationally. The technologies and expertise of the employees are to be retained and further developed. 207 employees in Germany were able to continue working for the company.
The focus in the coming months will be on stabilizing and expanding customer and supplier relationships, as well as further developing the organization. The timely establishment of the new structure will ensure the financial stability of the group and enable sustainable recapitalization.
The realignment builds on the core technological competencies and expertise of the employees and focuses on cost efficiency and growth initiatives – particularly in battery systems for industrial applications and customized energy storage solutions. There will be a consistent focus on customer needs, with an emphasis on relevant markets and profitable core business. Demand for core products is high, and the group has a healthy international order backlog.
SKion would like to thank Sven Bauer, founder and long-standing CEO of the BMZ Group, for his pioneering work and cooperation during the transition phase.
Media contact:
Lorenz Wagner | L_Wagner(at)skion.de| +49 170 766 6273
About SKion
SKion is the investment company founded by Susanne Klatten. It invests in companies with sustainably successful business models. SKion aims to strengthen European companies in particular as drivers of innovation—as a strategic partner that acts on the basis of family-oriented entrepreneurship values and offers access to industrial networks and capital. The focus is on growth financing and succession solutions. www.skion.de www.skion.de
About BMZ Group
BMZ Battery Solutions, headquartered in Karlstein am Main, is a leading international manufacturer of high-performance battery systems and a long-term technology partner for the electrification and decarbonization of key industries. The origins of the group date back to 1994.[1] On this basis, the group has more than 30 years of experience in the development and industrialization of modern battery systems.
The company's solutions are used worldwide in industry, electromobility, stationary energy storage, and medical technology. With around 1,450 highly qualified employees, BMZ Battery Solutions operates production sites in Germany, Poland, China, North Macedonia, and the USA, as well as sales and service branches in the UK, Japan, Brazil, and other markets.
The focus is on the development of integrated battery system solutions along the entire value chain, from concept and prototyping to intelligent control and interface technologies, scalable series production, global service, and recycling and second-life concepts. As a “green energy system provider,” BMZ combines modern lithium-ion technologies and alternative cell chemistries with the aim of continuously increasing performance, safety, and sustainability and actively shaping future market requirements.
[1]BMZ Battery Solutions GmbH and BMZ Battery Solutions Germany GmbH are newly founded companies and are not legal successors to the insolvent BMZ Holding GmbH and BMZ Germany GmbH.