Berlin’s Denttabs Declares Insolvency Amid Broader Business Challenges in Germany

Berlin-based Denttabs, known for its award-winning toothpaste tablets, has filed for insolvency despite strong retail presence and accolades such as the German Sustainability Award. Founder Axel Kaiser revealed that revenues had dropped drastically from 3 million euros in 2019 to just 1.1 million euros recently. The company cited difficulties in reaching a sufficient customer base to sustain sales, but operations continue as efforts to find investors are underway. Following the insolvency announcement, loyal customers have shown remarkable support, boosting online sales from around 4,000 euros to over 40,000 euros in a short period. Kaiser expressed deep gratitude and remains hopeful about securing the company’s future.

This recent insolvency reflects larger trends of business failures and transformations seen in other German regions. For instance, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has witnessed the disappearance or restructuring of many iconic firms over the years. Kettler, famed for toys and garden furniture, ended operations in 2019 following multiple insolvencies. Retail chains like Plus were acquired and rebranded by Edeka, while Unitymedia was absorbed by Vodafone after criticism. Esprit, headquartered in Ratingen, filed for insolvency and shut stores by late 2024, though its brand was sold to Deichmann. Historic industrial companies such as Mannesmann AG were sold off, with parts now integrated into larger conglomerates like Salzgitter AG and thyssenkrupp.

These cases demonstrate the evolving landscape of German business, marked by consolidations, insolvencies, and ownership changes amid economic pressures. Denttabs’ situation highlights that even innovative, award-winning startups are not immune to these systemic challenges. As Kaiser seeks support to revive Denttabs, the broader German market continues to grapple with maintaining historic and emerging companies in an increasingly competitive environment.