Mike,
The information about the closure of Hartmann & Weiss is simply wrong.
Although both Gerhard Hartmann as also Otto Weiss have reached their retirement age a decade ago, they still run their business. This is remarkable as the company was founded in 1965 by them and this year they will celebrated the 50. business anniversary.
I have spoken to them today and there are no retirement plans of what so ever.

Adrian,
I have several rifles from both companies H&W and Prechtel including a bolt action rifles in .416 Rigby one each.
You cannot compare the workmanship of the two companies. H&W is on a much much higher level than Prechtl. However having said that, the Prechtel rifles are very sound and good working rifles which I would not mind using on dangerous game. They function as flawless as the much more expensive H&W rifles. Regarding accuracy I cannot see any difference between the two makes.
Let me know if I can give further comments.

Robert