High investments, massive cost increases for energy and feed, price pressure from imports and consumers’ tendency to save: “Everything has now fallen on our heads,” says Michael Plöckinger (40), who runs Frischfang GmbH in Ulrichsberg together with Manuel Pfeil (43). operates. “We would have received an order from a large Austrian dealer before Christmas. But we ran out of money. We are aiming for a restructuring process and are hoping for an investor,” says Plöckinger.
The procedure was filed on Tuesday. According to KSV1870, there are liabilities of around 1.95 million euros compared to assets of 1.84 million euros. Five employees are affected.
The concept of fresh catch is actually sound. In a former textile factory, pikeperch and trout have been kept in large containers in a water cycle since 2002 and fed with soldier flies in a resource-saving manner. Top restaurants and supermarkets are supplied with fresh produce. “Despite all the claims, this is not the time for fresh local produce. People save,” says Plöckinger.
13 employees affected
Pfeil is not only a shareholder at Frischfang, but also at the Linz-based company Fresh Energy GmbH, which filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, as Creditreform and AKV reported. Wages and salaries have not been paid since September 2024. According to KSV1870, liabilities of 4.12 million euros are offset by free assets of 132,000 euros; 50 creditors are said to be affected and there are 13 affected employees.
The company deals with the assembly of small and large photovoltaic systems for private households and companies and at its best employed 30 employees. It is said that a continuation is not possible due to the failed investor discussions and is therefore not intended.
The reasons given for the insolvency are reluctance due to the change in support for photovoltaics and the weak construction sector.
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**Interview with Michael Plöckinger, Co-Owner of Frischfang GmbH on Recent Bankruptcy and Industry Challenges**
**Editor:** Michael, thank you for joining us today. Your company, Frischfang GmbH, recently filed for bankruptcy alongside some other local businesses. Can you tell us what led to this difficult decision?
**Michael Plöckinger:** Thank you for having me. The situation has been extremely challenging. We’ve been facing high investments and significant increases in costs, especially for energy and feed. Additionally, we’ve experienced price pressure from imports. Consumers are also tightening their wallets, and with all of that happening simultaneously, it has become overwhelming for us.
**Editor:** It sounds like a perfect storm of market pressures. You mentioned that you were on the verge of securing a large order before Christmas. What happened with that?
**Michael Plöckinger:** Yes, that was a major blow for us. We had a significant order lined up from a large Austrian dealer, but the financial strains caused us to run out of funds just before we could finalize that deal. It was disheartening because that order could have been a turning point for us.
**Editor:** You mentioned that you’re hoping for an investor during this restructuring process. What are your prospects looking like?
**Michael Plöckinger:** We remain hopeful. We’ve laid out a strong concept with our unique approach to aquaculture, utilizing water recirculation and feeding techniques with soldier flies—something that’s both sustainable and appealing to high-end markets. We believe there are investors out there who share our vision and can see the potential in fresh, local produce, even if the timing is tough right now.
**Editor:** The current economic climate seems particularly challenging for businesses like yours. Do you see any signs of recovery in consumer behavior toward fresh produce?
**Michael Plöckinger:** It’s difficult to say. People are still hesitant to spend, despite the quality and sustainability of local products. We see demand for fresh goods, but it’s not enough to outweigh the cost pressures. It’s a tough spot when consumers are looking to save money.
**Editor:** Besides your company, another business that you are associated with, Fresh Energy GmbH, has also filed for bankruptcy. What were the key reasons behind that?
**Michael Plöckinger:** Fresh Energy faced issues related to the changing support for photovoltaics. Discussions with potential investors fell through, and without that financial support, we were unable to sustain operations. It’s disappointing, especially given the emphasis on renewable energy.
**Editor:** With both companies in this situation, what are your next steps?
**Michael Plöckinger:** Our immediate focus is on the restructuring process for Frischfang. We’re in talks and trying to attract potential investors. We hope that by demonstrating our sustainable practices and commitment to quality, we can secure the support we need to continue our operations and protect our employees.
**Editor:** Thank you, Michael, for sharing your insights. We wish you the best of luck in finding that support and navigating these tough times.
**Michael Plöckinger:** Thank you for your interest and support. It’s crucial that we keep advocating for sustainable practices in our industry.
