Schadt computer technology
According to its own information, Schadt Computertechnik (SCT) was Germany's third largest PC retail chain, it was founded in 1987.
The company was based in Ludwigsburg , the founder and managing director was Karl Heinz Schadt. Schadt Computertechnik had a Germany-wide branch network of around 100 branches as well as so-called “shop-in-shop” branches in department stores of KarstadtQuelle AG ( Hertie ). Up to 470 people were temporarily employed in the company.
Business areas
Schadt Computertechnik built desktop computers, which were also put together especially for the customer on request. They were sold under the name “Proline”, as well as the own brand “Solidium”, which was used in particular for the sale of monitors and accessories. After the takeover of Escom Business , Schadt offered an offer specially tailored to the needs of companies under the name “Proline Business” . The company was also one of the first manufacturers to offer their computer cases in different colors. In order to strengthen and expand its dealer network, SCT bought the car hi-fi installation chain Ascarfi in 1996.
development
After supermarket discounters began a price war that was ruinous for many specialist retailers in the mid-1990s, the company ran into financial difficulties, with SCT generating its liquidity funds on the one hand through direct sales of the goods, on the other hand through payment terms with suppliers of an average of 90 days; thus the actual cash flow, after deducting the delivery and transport times, was extremely small. Since the grocery discounters do their main business with groceries and, in the opinion of many economists, only use the computer sales to advertise their image, Schadt Computertechnik turned the game around in an ironic way and at times offered gummy bears , shower cream and chocolate for less than the purchase price. There were also appropriate advertising campaigns with titles such as “You buy computers from specialist dealers, not from greengrocers”.
On October 28, 1998, Schadt Computertechnik filed for bankruptcy at the Ludwigsburg district court with liabilities of 92,767,603.96 D-Marks. The media had previously reported that the company was in financial difficulties.
Course of the bankruptcy petition
In addition to the bankruptcy, the management, represented by the managing director Karl Heinz Schadt, and the authorized signatories were also investigated for bankruptcy offenses . The bankruptcy procedure developed into a complex network in which the creditors also sharply criticized the bankruptcy administrator.
The assumption that the company's bank had continued to guarantee its creditors liquidity , although the bankers had long known about the financial problems , also caused confusion .
swell
- ↑ http://www.rhein-zeitung.de Schadt branches file for bankruptcy . October 30, 1998
- ↑ http://www.computerpartner.de Rumors about Schadt: Is the computer dealer in crisis? May 30, 1997
- ↑ http://www.computerpartner.de Creditors raise serious allegations against the banks involved . March 18, 1999