Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk

What Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk does

Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk Pfalz GmbH is a privately held social services organization headquartered in Landstuhl, Germany, founded in 1968 and jointly owned by two ecclesiastical non-profit foundations: Evangelische Heimstiftung Pfalz (Protestant) and Caritasverband Diözese Speyer e.V. (Catholic). The organization delivers a comprehensive portfolio of services for people with physical, intellectual, and mental disabilities and for long-term unemployed individuals across the Pfalz and Saarpfalz regions of Rhineland-Palatinate, operating more than 40 facilities including three major state-recognized workshop facilities (Westpfalz-Werkstätten, Ludwigshafener Werkstätten, Blieskasteler Werkstätten), residential housing, day care facilities, special schools, an integrative kindergarten (Arche Noah, 118 children), a social pediatric center with early intervention, nursing services, autism-specific counseling, supported communication services, inclusive art (Atelier Zitronenblau), and employment integration centers (JobWERK). A wholly-owned commercial subsidiary, Simotec GmbH, cross-subsidizes the mission through facility management, cleaning, assembly, laundry, logistics, and catering services (Kochwerk), with services qualifying for 7% reduced VAT and 50% employer compensation levy credit under §223 SGB IX.

The business model is a hybrid of publicly funded social services and commercial contracting. Core disability services are reimbursed through German social insurance frameworks (SGB IX for vocational rehabilitation, SGB XI for long-term care, SGB II/III for employment programs) and are free to end users. Commercial production and service contracts from private and public sector customers — including operation of the SWR canteen in Landstuhl — channel work through the sheltered workshops. The organization is led by Managing Director Dr. Walter Steinmetz under a Supervisory Board chaired by Oberkirchenrat Markus Jäckle, with three operating divisions (Participation in Working Life, Education and Development, Social Participation) headed by dedicated division directors. Quality is assured through DIN EN ISO 9001, AZAV, and EMAS certifications, alongside §225 SGB IX state recognition and Marte Meo developmental support certification for the integrative kindergarten. Technology adoption is minimal: the organization relies on a standard website with Matomo open-source analytics and has no proprietary software, mobile applications, or AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk

Legal name

Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk Pfalz GmbH

Website

https://gemeinschaftswerk.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk Pfalz GmbH is a faith-based social services organization operating 40+ facilities across the Pfalz and Saarpfalz regions of Germany, providing vocational training, housing, care, education, and employment integration services for people with disabilities and long-term unemployed individuals, funded primarily through German social insurance frameworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and social services / vocational rehabilitation

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Disability & Chronic Condition Care Coordination (EDALAFAI), Special Education Staffing & Contracted Providers (Paras, Therapists, Specialists) (EDAJAKAL)

Keywords

• Disability social services
• Vocational rehabilitation workshops
• Sheltered employment services
• Inclusive education and early intervention
• Residential care and home nursing

Headquarters

HQ city

Landstuhl

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices24 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Social Services Funding (SGB IX): Funding for vocational rehabilitation and social integration services for people with disabilities under Social Code Book IX (§ 225 SGB IX)
2. Employment Services (SGB II/III): Funding for qualification and employment programs for long-term unemployed through job centers and employment agencies
3. Care Services (SGB XI): Nursing and care services funded through long-term care insurance for people requiring support
4. Commercial Services: Production and service contracts with private companies and public sector customers. Many services qualify for reduced VAT rate of 7% and employers can credit 50% of invoices against their annual compensation levy under §223 SGB IX

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk Pfalz provides disability and social services across the Pfalz and Saarpfalz regions: sheltered vocational workshops, residential housing, day care, special schools, an integrative kindergarten, nursing, social pediatric early intervention, counseling, autism-specific support, and supported communication, complemented by commercial production, facility management, catering and own wooden-product lines through subsidiary Simotec GmbH and brand Kochwerk. Services for end users are funded under SGB IX and SGB XI; commercial contracts exist with private and public enterprises.

Product overview

The Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk Pfalz is a social services organization (GmbH) that operates a multi-faceted portfolio of products, services, and facilities. The core offering consists of three major workshop facilities (Westpfalz-Werkstätten, Ludwigshafener Werkstätten, Blieskasteler Werkstätten) that provide vocational integration for people with disabilities through diverse production services. These workshops offer approximately 24 different production and service categories including metal processing, electrical assembly, wood processing, cleaning services, logistics, laundry, catering/gastronomy (including the Bistro-Café Stellwerk, Hofcafé Langenfelderhof, and Kochwerk Catering), digital archiving, and document services. The organization also produces its own products (Klipp-Klapp-Hocker, custom ballpoint pens, cutting boards, Steckbank modular benches, outdoor furniture). Social participation services include residential living options (special housing, short-term living, training apartments, ambulatory living), nursing services, and day care facilities. Education and development services encompass special schools (Andreas-Fröhlich-Schule, Mauritius-Schule), an integrative kindergarten (Arche Noah), and a social pediatric center with early intervention (SPZ). Additional services include autism-specific counseling, supported communication (BUK), the inclusive art studio Atelier Zitronenblau, and the JobWERK employment integration service. All services are unified by the organization's Christian values and mission of supporting people with disabilities to live self-determined lives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Atelier Zitronenblau: Inclusiv art studio for Art Brut/artistic creation for people with and without disabilities
• Kochwerk
• Die Schatzkiste

Products and services

• Westpfalz-Werkstätten (Vocational Workshops) State-recognized facility under §225 SGB IX providing vocational and social integration, sheltered employment in 10+ industries, external workplace placements, day structures, and labor market transition for people with mental, intellectual and physical disabilities across Westpfalz locations in Landstuhl, Kaiserslautern and Ramstein-Miesenbach.
• Ludwigshafener Werkstätten (Vocational Workshops) DIN EN ISO 9001 and AZAV certified vocational workshops offering work, employment and qualification for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities across ten different industries, with sites in Ludwigshafen-Oggersheim and Schifferstadt.
• Blieskasteler Werkstätten (Vocational Workshops) State-recognized workshop in Blieskastel-Lautzkirchen providing vocational and social integration for approximately 120 people with mental disabilities, with production, scanning services and technical operations.
• Wohnen (Residential Housing Services) Residential housing and supported-living services including special housing forms, short-term accommodation, training apartments and ambulatory assisted-living support for people with disabilities across Kusel, Landstuhl, Ramstein-Miesenbach and Otterberg.
• Tagesförderstätten (Day Care Facilities) Day care facilities for severely disabled adults who have not found suitable work integration, providing meaningful daily activities, therapy and personal development support at multiple locations across the region.
• Förderschulen (Special Needs Schools) Special needs schools focusing on motor and holistic development: Andreas-Fröhlich-Schule in Landstuhl and Mauritius-Schule in Zweibrücken-Wattweiler, serving children and youth with significant developmental needs.
• Integrative Kindertagesstätte Arche Noah Integrative kindergarten in Landstuhl caring for up to 118 children (78 with disabilities and 40 without) aged 2 to school entry, with full-day supervision and Marte Meo developmental support methodology.
• Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum mit Frühförderung (SPZ) Ambulatory social pediatric center providing interdisciplinary diagnosis and therapy for families with children with developmental disorders or disabilities, with branches in Landstuhl, Kaiserslautern, Kusel, Pirmasens and Zweibrücken.
• Pflegedienst im Gemeinschaftswerk (Home Nursing Service) Home nursing and care service in Kaiserslautern providing personal and individual nursing, household support, medical care, respite care and guest rooms for people with support needs and their families.
• JobWERK Employment Integration Job placement and employment advisory service in Kaiserslautern and Ludwigshafen helping people with disabilities find employment through potential assessment and job matching, while also advising employers on inclusive hiring.
• Beratungsstelle Kompass (Counseling Center) Free counseling center in Landstuhl helping people with disabilities and their families navigate available support options and create individual participation plans.
• Autism-specific Counseling and Support Specialized counseling and support service for adults with autism spectrum disorders and their families, addressing work, family, education and leisure areas.
• Beratungsstelle Unterstützte Kommunikation (BUK) Supported communication counseling center serving people who cannot speak or have difficulty communicating due to congenital or acquired disabilities, providing assessment, communication aids and training.
• Atelier Zitronenblau (Inclusive Art Studio) Inclusive art studio creating Art Brut works by people with and without disabilities, combining painting and sculptural design.
• Simotec GmbH (Facility Management and Industrial Services) Wholly-owned subsidiary based in Kaiserslautern providing facility management, building cleaning, industrial assembly, painting, laundry and transport services to private and public sector customers.
• Kochwerk Catering Professional catering service (operating division of Simotec GmbH) for events up to 500 guests, preparing finger food, seasonal buffets and menus using regional products and Cook & Chill methodology.
• Werkstatt Retail and Gastro Shops (Schatzkiste, Bistro-Café Stellwerk, Hofcafé Langenfelderhof) Public-facing training and retail outlets operated as part of the workshops: Warenhaus Schatzkiste second-hand store in Kaiserslautern, Bistro-Café Stellwerk in Weilerbach (gastro training) and Hofcafé Langenfelderhof in Mackenbach (gastro training).
• Commercial Workshop Production and Service Contracts Commercial production and service contracts delivered through the workshops to industrial and public-sector customers across ten industries — including assembly, wood and metal processing, electrical assembly, building cleaning, glass and window cleaning, logistics, picking and shipping, laundry, catering, signage, digital archiving, document shredding, adhesive and ultrasonic welding, painting, sewing and vehicle signage embossing — qualifying for the reduced 7% VAT rate and the 50% §223 SGB IX employer levy offset.

Quantifiable outcome

• State-certified vocational training through AZAV accredited programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Evangelische Heimstiftung Pfalz (EVH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProtestant foundation that is co-owner (Gesellschafter) of Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk Pfalz GmbH. Provides denominational foundation and support for the organization's Christian mission of serving people with disabilities.
• Caritasverband Diözese Speyer e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic charitable organization that is co-owner (Gesellschafter) of Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk Pfalz GmbH. Provides Catholic social services expertise and denominational foundation.
• Caritas Online CounselingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline counseling platform for people with mental health conditions, referred to from ÖGW website as additional resource for clients

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Augustinum Gruppe: Operates residential communities, care services, and disability support across Germany with a faith-based foundation; comparable in providing lifelong housing and care pathways.
• Bundesvereinigung Lebenshilfe: Germany's largest nationwide federation supporting people with intellectual disabilities through workshops, housing, education, and advocacy — a direct comparable in scope and services to ÖGW.
• Stiftung ICP München: Munich-based non-profit providing integrated care, education, and therapy for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities — comparable specialized disability services operator.
• Josefs-Gesellschaft gGmbH: Catholic-affiliated provider of disability services, vocational training, and residential support across multiple German states; comparable integrated workshop and housing portfolio.
• Pfeiffersche Stiftungen: Mid-sized Protestant foundation operating workshops, housing, schools, and therapy services for people with disabilities — closely comparable mid-scale ecumenical operator.
• Von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel: One of Europe's largest Protestant-affiliated disability service operators, running workshops, residential care, hospitals, and schools — highly comparable integrated service model.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Deutschland: National Catholic welfare umbrella; one of ÖGW's own co-owners (Caritasverband Diözese Speyer) is a regional Caritas member, making the national body a comparable broad social-services operator.
• Diakonie Deutschland: National umbrella of Protestant welfare organizations providing disability, care, and social services across Germany; overlaps significantly with ÖGW's Protestant-affiliated service mix.
• Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO): Major national welfare association offering childcare, elder care, disability services, and social counseling; competes for public-sector social service contracts across Germany.

Regional players

• Lebenshilfe Rheinland-Pfalz: State-level Lebenshilfe affiliate operating in the same Rhineland-Palatinate region; competes for the same workshop and family-support contracts and represents the most immediate regional head-to-head competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gemeinschaftswerk-pfalz-gmbh

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk