---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001819438-26-000091"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "GWH"
cik: "0001819438"
company_name: "ESS Tech, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-11-13T21:05:24+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-11-13T21:07:29.286367+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 1.0
calibrated_materiality_score: 1.0
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# ESS Tech files Chapter 7, ceases operations; CEO Buckley and CFO Suhadolnik among all employees terminated

## Summary
- On November 13, 2026 ESS Tech filed a voluntary Chapter 7 petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware after considering all strategic alternatives; operations ceased.
- A court-appointed Chapter 7 trustee assumes control of assets and liabilities, stripping the board and officers of authority; assets will be liquidated and claims paid per Bankruptcy Code priorities.
- Company states it is unlikely holders of its common stock will receive any payment or distribution; it warns post-petition trading is highly speculative with substantial risk of loss.
- All employees and officers were terminated without cause effective November 13, 2026, including CEO Drew Buckley, CFO Kate Suhadolnik and GC/Chief Strategy Officer Kelly Goodman.
- The audit of fiscal year ended December 31, 2026 was not completed and the Company says it can no longer prepare or file its Form 10-K or any other periodic reports.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001819438-26-000091
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: GWH
- cik: 0001819438
- company_name: ESS Tech, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-11-13T21:05:24+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 1.0
- calibrated_materiality_score: 1.0
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.03, 2.04, 5.02, 8.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1819438/000181943826000091/0001819438-26-000091-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1819438/000181943826000091/wk-20261113.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001819438-26-000091
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001819438-26-000091.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001819438-26-000091.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.