Ziegler SA and Satra, two of Ziegler’s French subsidiaries, were placed under judicial liquidation by the Lille Commercial Court on March 31, 2026. More than 1,500 people are on the streets, but the fate of two other Ziegler subsidiaries has not yet been decided.
The Commercial Court of Lille found that the two aforementioned companies (which employed 1,436 and 71 people respectively) experienced several financial years characterized by a significant decline in activity, a deterioration in profitability due to rising energy costs, the loss of important contracts and the inability to find financing or acquisition solutions that could guarantee the continuation of the company. Ziegler France still operated 51 branches in France.
“Despite the significant efforts made in recent months (debt renegotiation, active search for partners and acquirers, won lawsuit against a recalcitrant financial partner), the court determined that the recovery of the company was clearly impossible and has therefore ordered the opening of judicial liquidation proceedings against Ziegler SA and Satra,” explains the Belgian logistics provider.
“We have fought to the utmost to avoid this decision, which we accept with deep sadness. We would like to sincerely thank all our employees, customers and suppliers for the trust they have placed in us over the years,” said Alain Ziegler, Managing Director of the Ziegler Group.
Depending on the interest of potential acquirers in certain assets (brand, trading fund, industrial equipment, etc.), the liquidator will examine any offer that could preserve part of the activities and employment. In addition, the Lille Commercial Court has decided to extend the observation period for the companies Ziegler Services and Dornach (each employing around 55 people) by one month, in order to examine the possibilities of maintaining some of the employment and activities.
