There’s been silence since Artinfo reported earlier this week that Auctionata had cut half of its New York staff not long after doing the same in Berlin. The cuts were substantial. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 130 positions. Normally, a company making drastic cuts would be the subject of speculation that it is faltering. However, Auctionata had just completed a large round of financing at $45m.

Reuters finally got a comment the company that was published in Germany (apologies for the awkward translation):

A spokeswoman for the company said on demand Handelsblatt: “Our strategy of efficient growth means that we will concentrate our activities strategically around some core areas around them. We have tested a number of measures in the past and are convinced that now is the right time to intensifying our focus and establish our organizational structure more efficient and effective. This has the consequence that we not pursue activities and projects that are not in focus and that we had to separate us from employees who were working in these areas. “However, this does not mean that Auctionata focus on lots in the higher price range may, it says the company. A press release announcing the layoffs will not give it. The spokeswoman assured: “On our customers these changes will have no effect. The quoted by the press and taken up from you headcount, we do not express an opinion. “

Perhaps as important, the story recaps some of the questions surrounding Auctionata CEO Alexander Zacke’s previous dealings. He and his wife filed for bankruptcy after their eBay-based business ran into odd difficulties. Previously, his stint in the Asian department of Dorotheum concluded with some works being revealed as “mis-attributed.”

Online auction: Drastic measures Auctionata  (Reuters)