Baywa, a prominent German dealer in agricultural and building materials, faces severe financial difficulties, prompting regulatory scrutiny over its 2023 financial statements. The company reported its first loss in over a century, largely due to struggles in its energy division, Baywa r.e., which experienced significant write-downs. With debts reaching €5.5 billion and management changes underway, Baywa is exploring restructuring options, including a potential sale of its majority stake in Baywa r.e. amidst creditor disagreements.
Baywa Faces Heightened Scrutiny Amid Financial Turmoil
Germany’s leading dealer in agricultural and building materials has been grappling with survival challenges for several months. The situation has taken a turn for the worse, as the financial regulatory authority has announced plans to conduct an audit of Baywa’s consolidated financial statements for 2023, including the related management report.
The authorities have raised concerns regarding potential inaccuracies in how the company’s financial status and associated risks were represented. Additionally, there are serious questions about the company’s risk management strategies. As a result, Baywa’s shares have continued to plummet, hovering near record lows, with a staggering 70 percent decline in value throughout 2023.
Challenges and Changes at Baywa
Baywa has entered a critical phase, facing its first reported loss in its century-long history, exacerbated by difficulties at its energy division, Baywa r.e. This division, integral to the company’s operations in agriculture and the fruit and vegetable trade, has been struggling following a series of global acquisitions in recent years. The company ventured into renewable energy projects, notably wind and solar parks, through Baywa r.e., which has now become a focal point of its financial challenges.
In late September, Baywa disclosed a significant write-down of €222.2 million, with €171.5 million linked directly to Baywa r.e. The parent company retains a 51 percent stake in this division, with the remaining 49 percent held by Zurich-based Energy Infrastructure Partners (EIP). The business model of Baywa r.e. mirrors that of real estate developers, who have also faced crises due to rising interest rates and management issues.
With debts soaring to approximately €5.5 billion and interest rates climbing sharply over the past two years, the company has been compelled to seek financial assistance. In mid-August, a bridging loan and liquidity support totaling €547 million was approved by shareholders and creditor banks. This amount was further increased by an additional €500 million at the end of September.
In the midst of this turmoil, Baywa is also undertaking a significant personnel shake-up. CEO Marcus Pöllinger is set to depart by the end of the month, and CFO Andreas Helber will leave by the end of March. Restructuring expert Michael Baur has stepped in as a general representative and chief restructuring officer, while still affiliated with Alix Partners.
Reports suggest that banks have actively pushed for changes in leadership during negotiations concerning the company’s rescue. Former CEO Klaus Josef Lutz, who transitioned to the supervisory board in 2023, exited earlier this spring amid disputes. Despite the shake-up, Matthias Taft, head of Baywa r.e., remains in position, though risk management practices have come under scrutiny for both the parent and subsidiary companies.
As the year draws to a close, Baywa must present a new medium-term restructuring plan. However, it appears that not all creditors are aligned in their support. Speculation suggests that the majority stake in Baywa r.e. may be sold to its minority owner, EIP, which might even consider a full acquisition of the company. Nonetheless, there are concerns at Baywa about selling at a low price during this crisis, leading to a cautious approach in negotiations.