Restructuring on course

Dealer bankruptcy does not leave Zentrasport trembling

The Zentrasport headquarters in Ohlsdorf.(Bild: Wolfgang Spitzbart)

Insolvent again, this time a bankruptcy petition instead of reorganization proceedings: With liabilities amounting to around 16.3 million euros, geomix AG in Liezen (Styria) slipped into bankruptcy for the second time in a year on Wednesday. This time, however, there are apparently no consequences for Zentrasport in Ohlsdorf.

The workforce was reduced, structures and processes were scrutinized and, in the end, the company was taken over by ANWR Group eG and joined the Sport 2000 national association. In mid-January, Zentrasport Österreich e.Gen. put the turbulent months of 2023 behind it, during which the cooperative underwent restructuring proceedings.

Geomix AG insolvent for the second time
Since Wednesday, however, there has been speculation as to whether the specialist retailer community from Ohlsdorf will have to tremble again after Geomix AG in Liezen, the sporting goods retailer that helped cause Zentrasport's turbulence, slipped into insolvency for the second time. Yesterday evening there was a sigh of relief: "Zentrasport is solvent. We will fulfill the restructuring plan as agreed even without this income," revealed Sport 2000 Austria board member Holger Schwarting.

Geomix's bankruptcy petition has no effect on the fulfillment of Zentrasport's restructuring plan.

Aus dem Statement von Sport 2000 Österreich

Further income from Geomix has been assessed very cautiously in Zentrasport's plans and has no longer been taken into account, Schwarting said.

Receivables amounting to more than 57 million euros 
The cooperative is stable and on track. In 2023, Zentrasport had caused the largest insolvency in Upper Austria in terms of debt. In a press release from November 2023, the credit protection association reported quota claims amounting to around 57.38 million euros.