BDR Thermea Restructures German Operations Amid Industry Challenges; 2026 Economic Outlook Cautious in Hamburg

BDR Thermea, a major European heating and climate technology manufacturer based in the Netherlands, has announced significant restructuring plans affecting its German operations, particularly at the Schweinfurt site. The company will cease production at the SenerTec facility, which focuses on combined heat and power systems, by late 2026 or early 2027. This move will result in over 200 job losses nationwide, with approximately 76 positions at risk in Schweinfurt alone, where SenerTec currently employs around 140 people.

The restructuring is driven by volatile demand trends, intense competitive pressures, and ongoing regulatory uncertainties in the heating market. Alongside Schweinfurt, BDR Thermea’s Rastede facility in Lower Saxony will also be affected as it consolidates central services and halts heat generator production. Despite these challenging developments, the company committed to finding socially responsible solutions for affected employees. CEO Tjarko Bouman highlighted the company’s struggle with economic pressures within the industry.

Concurrently, the economic outlook for 2026 remains cautious across German industrial regions such as Hamburg. The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce’s latest economic barometer indicates a slight improvement in sentiment with the business climate rising to 88.5 points, up 4.1 points from the previous quarter, yet still below the long-term average of 105.9. Over half of companies describe their current situation as typical for the season, although future expectations are predominantly negative, with more companies anticipating worsening conditions.

Investment and employment plans in Hamburg align with this caution. While around half expect stable investment levels focused on equipment replacement and efficiency improvements, more business leaders foresee employment cuts rather than expansions. However, export expectations offer a silver lining, with nearly a third of exporters anticipating increased activity in 2026.

Dr. Malte Heyne, General Manager of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, stressed the critical need for strong political initiatives and reforms to stimulate economic growth, noting that 68.2% of firms view the economic policy environment as a significant risk to business stability.

Together, these developments paint a picture of a German manufacturing sector facing significant restructuring and economic headwinds as it navigates volatile markets and uncertain regulatory landscapes into 2026.