Case filing & court posture: Hansen-Mueller Co., a Nebraska-based grain merchandiser and processor, filed for chapter 11 protection on November 17, 2025 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska (Case No. 25-81226). Dkt. 1 Judge Thomas L. Saladino presides. The filing was triggered by the Nebraska Public Service Commission's suspension of the debtor's grain trading license on October 24, 2025, following cumulative operational losses and liquidity pressure. Dkt. 3
Liquidity & financing path: The debtor operated under a cash collateral arrangement with BMO Bank N.A., its prepetition secured lender (approximately $50.9 million in secured debt). Dkt. 12 The court approved interim cash collateral use on November 18, 2025 Dkt. 46, with subsequent extensions through a series of interim orders to fund operations during the sale process. Dkt. 160, Dkt. 192, Dkt. 237
Restructuring outcome: The debtor pursued a section 363 sale of substantially all assets. The court approved bidding procedures on December 3, 2025 , and an auction was held on December 16, 2025. The court entered a final sale order on December 29, 2025, approving the sale of assets to multiple successful bidders free and clear of liens.
Current status: The case is in post-sale wind-down phase. Asset sales have closed, and the debtor continues to administer the estate, including resolving grain producer claims under section 557 procedures Dkt. 262 and addressing state regulatory issues with the Nebraska and Iowa agriculture departments. Dkt. 213, Dkt. 391 The case remains active as of February 2026.