It was announced on Monday that the Röther Group intends to acquire significant parts of the insolvent clothing group Ahlers AG. In an interview with the specialist magazine Textilwirtschaft (TW), Michael Röther, the company’s managing partner, explained how the previous Ahlers brands Baldessarini, Otto Kern, Pierre Cardin, Pioneer Jeans and Pioneer Workwear should continue after a possible takeover. The designated new owner, which includes the Modepark Röther retail chain, confirmed the statements made there on Tuesday at the request of FashionUnited.
As part of the planned restructuring, a new holding company has already been founded, which he runs together with Fabian Messer, who is also a member of the Modepark Röther management board, Michael Röther explained to TW. The Ahlers name will disappear as part of the reorganization, but the previous group headquarters in Herford will continue to be used with a reduced workforce.
The brands affected by the takeover are to be settled as separate GmbHs under the umbrella of the holding company after the completion of the takeover. According to the Röther Group, they will in future be known as New PC GmbH (Pierre Cardin), New Baldessarini GmbH (Baldessarini), New Pioneer GmbH (Pioneer), New Pioneer Professional Clothing GmbH (Pionier Workwear) and Otto Kern GmbH (Otto Kern). In the TW interview, Röther left it open whether the previous managers would be retained. The company also explained to FashionUnited that there is currently no information on personnel issues.
While the previous Ahlers brands have future opportunities, according to the insolvency administrator Biner Bähr, there is no longer any need for other group activities “after the execution of the purchase agreement with the Röther Group because these business areas do not fit the strategic orientation of the Röther Group”. This includes, for example, the retail segment, explained Michael Röther to TW.