The insolvent Eichbaum brewery in Mannheim (inside.beer, 29.10.2025) is set to continue operations after creditors approved a rescue plan backed by two investors, marking a decisive step to secure the future of one of Germany’s traditional breweries.
According to SWR and INSIDE Getränke, a financial investor—reportedly Lafayette Mittelstand Capital Fund Manager—will take over key brand rights and provide financial backing, while Park & Bellheimer, a brewery group based in Pirmasens, will assume responsibility for distribution and the domestic business. This structure clearly separates brand ownership from commercial execution, reflecting a growing trend in restructuring cases within the brewing sector.
Lafayette is an independent private equity investor founded in 2009 that focuses on "Mittelstand" (medium-sized) companies in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) undergoing special situations like carve-outs or turnarounds. It is headquartered in Munsbach, Luxembourg, with an office in Frankfurt, Germany.
As part of the agreement, Roald Pauli, former CFO of Eichbaum and now majority shareholder of Park & Bellheimer, is playing a central role in the transaction. According to INSIDE Getränke, Pauli facilitated the deal by waiving significant historical claims—reportedly in the double-digit million euro range—linked to earlier legal disputes. In return, Park & Bellheimer secured extensive distribution rights for the Eichbaum brand, including supply agreements covering around 900 gastronomy outlets.
The restructuring also brings a strategic realignment. While the financial investor focuses on stabilizing and developing the brand portfolio, Park & Bellheimer is expected to strengthen its regional footprint through Eichbaum’s established market presence. At the same time, Eichbaum’s management, led by Uwe Aichele, Managing Director, plans to expand beyond beer into ready-to-drink beverages, acknowledging that future growth cannot rely on beer alone.
However, the rescue comes at a high social cost. Around two-thirds of the approximately 290 jobs at the Mannheim site are expected to be cut, with only about 100 positions remaining. Employee representatives and the union NGG are pushing for a transfer company to mitigate the impact on affected workers.
