Helrom, the European pioneers of a side‑loading rail trailer for trucks, is defiant in the face of widely reported difficulties in the boardroom. The company has posted videos of its trains still running, despite reports that the company is in financial difficulties.
The company’s Director of Sales, Bruno Weissmann, says Helrom remains on track and looking ahead, even as preliminary insolvency proceedings begin. In recent social media posts, he highlighted full‑load contract trains still serving customers, signalling ongoing market confidence. Meanwhile, sources report that the cause of the insolvency filing was an unsuccessful financing round.
Insolvency filing and strategic restructuring
On 17–18 July 2025, Helrom filed for preliminary insolvency proceedings, citing an unsuccessful funding round that stopped short of full legal bankruptcy. The company emphasised that this step marks the beginning of a restructuring phase designed to stabilise operations and ensure long‑term viability, as reported by our sister news service RailFreight.com.
Helrom is consolidating around core east–west and north–south corridors, keeping routes with reliable demand under management while phasing out loss‑making connections. The company has not identified which services may be discontinued but stressed that key corridors, including those serving the west of Germany to Austria, will continue without reported interruption.
Development of the Helrom loader
Helrom’s wagon technology is built around its patented “Helrom Trailer Rail”. This swing‑tray or horizontal loading system accommodates non‑craneable semi‑trailers. It enables direct loading onto specially designed pocket wagons without dedicated terminal infrastructure. Using pneumatic systems and articulated three‑bogie wagons, a full train can be loaded or unloaded within a couple of hours. Wagons weigh up to 120 tonnes and can reach speeds of 120 km/h.
Founded in 2021, Helrom rapidly built a network of intermodal services across Europe. By late 2024 it had launched routes including Düsseldorf–Vienna, Düsseldorf–Budapest and the Brenner connection linking Regensburg and Verona. These services promised up to 90 % CO₂ reductions while offering flexible access for shippers without crane‑capable trailers.
Trains still running, customer confidence
Bruno Weissmann posted a video late last week, showing the latest Helrom contract train operating on behalf of Duvenbeck logistics, carrying unaccompanied trailers loaded with Audi car parts. He also shared footage of a mixed client service from Düsseldorf to Vienna.
“Despite the ongoing preliminary insolvency proceedings, HELROM continues to operate without interruption,” Weissmann said. “Our trains are running full — a clear signal that the market trusts in our concept, our team, and our service. This strong customer loyalty confirms we are solving a real problem in logistics. To secure our future growth and unlock the full potential of our technology, we are now actively looking for new investors and partners.”
Refocused strategy under restructuring
Despite the financial backdrop, Weissmann reaffirmed that Helrom remains committed to expansion. The company is targeting a new cross‑border service between Katowice/Zabrze (Poland) and Düsseldorf commencing September 2025, offering six weekly departures in each direction. This will be its first link into Poland and part of its refocused strategy under restructuring.
“As always, the ‘Audi Train’ runs on time,” added Bruno Weissmann. The contract was a feather in the cap for Helrom when it captured the business just over a year ago. “Helrom and Duvenbeck ensure that important automotive parts are transported just in time from the German Audi plants to the Audi plant in Győr and vice versa. In modern logistics, precision and sustainability are not a luxury but a necessity. A heartfelt thank you to Audi for their continued trust, especially in challenging times. Partnerships like this drive progress and reliability on and off the rails.”
Future prospects and investor search
In May 2025, Helrom closed a €32.9 million green loan with Société Générale and DAL Deutsche Anlagen‑Leasing to fund the purchase of an additional 120 wagons. Earlier investors include Swiss Life Asset Management, which acquired a significant stake in April 2022. These partnerships underscore underlying confidence in the business model, despite current headwinds.
As insolvency administrators take control under German legal oversight, Helrom is now actively seeking fresh capital and strategic partners to support its expansion across viable corridors. With trains still running and clients like Audi and Duvenbeck remaining onboard, the company hopes to emerge from restructuring with renewed momentum.