WSD
WSD is a Boxtel-based Dutch social development company serving nine mid-Brabant municipalities, helping people with a distance to the labor market find employment through reintegration trajectories, employer detachment, sheltered work, and training across sectors such as logistics, production, green services, and hospitality.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1954
- HeadquartersBoxtel, Netherlands
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What WSD does
WSD is a Dutch social development company (sociaal ontwikkelbedrijf) headquartered in Boxtel, North Brabant, that helps people with a distance to the labor market find and retain employment. Founded in 1954, the organization operates under the tagline "Werk. Samen. Doen." and serves residents of nine mid-Brabant municipalities (Best, Boxtel, Meierijstad, Nuenen, Oirschot, Oisterwijk, Sint-Michielsgestel, Son en Breugel, Vught). Its service portfolio is structured in three layers: base services such as "beschut werken" (sheltered work), "werken met loonkostensubsidie" (employment with wage cost subsidy), and the Kwikstart youth program; plus services including GIDS-diagnose intake, loonwaardemeting, jobhunting, coaching, werkervaringsplaats, and the Woonomgevingsploeg neighborhood-maintenance initiative; and a training catalogue (Werkacademie) offering VCA, forklift, reach truck, hoogwerker, EPT, and stapelaar certifications alongside youth and civic-integration tracks.
WSD runs no proprietary technology platform; its operations are built on human-capital services delivered through consulenten, job coaches, and on-site supervisors. The only technology integrations disclosed are HubSpot for marketing automation, Google for analytics, ReadSpeaker for accessibility, and Microsoft Forms for intake — all commodity tools. The product surface spans work sectors including groenvoorziening (green maintenance), facilitair (cleaning, catering, hospitality), techniek, logistiek, productie, and retail, delivered either at WSD's own workshops and manufacturing sites or on client premises via detachment.
Revenue is generated through three streams: municipality-funded reintegration contracts under the Participatiewet, employer-paid individual and group detachment (where WSD retains all payroll, administration, and on-site coaching liability), and outsourced production, assembly, packaging, and logistics work performed at WSD workshops or client sites. Employer clients include PostNL, DHL, VDL Groep, Ecotap, Berco, Tempo Team, Het Goed, Holland Recycling, and Hutten, alongside regional SMBs and water board De Dommel. The company also receives European Union co-funding.
WSD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WSD
- Legal name
- WSD
- Website
- https://wsd-groep.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1954
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- WSD is a Boxtel-based Dutch social development company serving nine mid-Brabant municipalities, helping people with a distance to the labor market find employment through reintegration trajectories, employer detachment, sheltered work, and training across sectors such as logistics, production, green services, and hospitality.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WSD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Reintegration and Sheltered Employment Services
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Temporary Help Services (56132), Employment Services (5613), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Help Supply Services (7363)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM), Workforce Support Services & Case Management (Coaching, Wraparound) (EDAAAOAK), Contractor Payroll, Invoicing & Payment Services (BPACAGAD)
Keywords
Where WSD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boxtel
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices11 records
Markets served
WSD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Municipality-funded reintegration services: WSD is primarily funded through contracts with 9 Brabant municipalities (Best, Boxtel, Meierijstad, Nuenen, Oirschot, Oisterwijk, Sint-Michielsgestel, Son en Breugel, Vught). Municipalities pay for reintegration trajectories, work experience places, sheltered employment, and job coaching services for residents with a distance to the labor market.
- Employer staffing and detacherings: WSD earns revenue by detaching (seconding) workers to employers — both individual detachment and group detachment. Employers pay for motivated staff with distance to the labor market, with WSD handling all payroll, administration, and on-site job coaching. Revenue is earned as a service fee on top of wages.
- Outsourced work contracts: WSD accepts outsourced production, assembly, packaging, and logistics work from external companies. Work is performed at WSD workshops or on the client's premises. Revenue is earned through negotiated contracts with clear delivery terms and pricing.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
WSD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WSD is a Dutch social development company (sociaal ontwikkelbedrijf / werkontwikkelbedrijf) that helps people with a distance to the labor market into appropriate employment through (1) municipality-funded reintegration trajectories, base services such as Beschut werken and Werken met loonkostensubsidie, and plus services including jobhunting, coaching, GIDS-diagnose, and werkervaringsplaats across nine mid-Brabant municipalities; (2) employer staffing through individual and group detachment (secondment) and outsourced production, assembly, packaging, logistics, green maintenance, retail, and textile-sorting contracts; and (3) vocational training via the Werkacademie covering VCA safety and equipment certifications (forklift, reach truck, high work platform, EPT, stacker) alongside youth employability modules.
Product overview
WSD operates as a social development company offering a comprehensive portfolio of employment and training services. The core offering consists of base services (beschut werken, werken met loonkostensubsidie, Kwikstart voor jongeren) and plus services (jobhunting, coaching, werkervaringsplaats, loonwaardemeting, GIDS-diagnose) that help people with distance to the labor market find employment. WSD also provides training programs through its Werkacademie, including safety certifications (VCA, forklift, reach truck, high work platforms), youth programs (PVT, solliciteren, werknemersvaardigheden), and sector-specific training. Work opportunities span multiple sectors including green services (groenvoorziening), facilities (facilitair), logistics, production, retail, and technique. Additionally, WSD offers employer services for hiring personnel or outsourcing work through individual or group detachment arrangements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Werkacademie: Training programs offered by WSD for personal and professional development of participants.
- Woonomgevingsploeg (WOP)
- WSD Kwikstart
- PV de Schakel
Products and services
- Beschut werken (Sheltered Employment) Work assistance for people who can only work in a protected environment under adapted conditions, either at WSD or at an external employer, delivered as a base trajectory.
- Werken met loonkostensubsidie (Work with Wage Cost Subsidy) Base-trajectory work placement for candidates who cannot earn the legal minimum wage independently but can work, beginning in a work-learning line leading toward regular employment.
- Kwikstart voor jongeren (Kwikstart Youth Employment Program) Special trajectory for young people where they discover interests, meet employers, and develop talents under the 'Kwikstart your future!' approach for school leavers and youth not in education or employment.
- Werken met behoud van uitkering (Work While Retaining Benefits) Plus-trajectory diagnostic and activation service for participants who want to work for an agreed period while keeping their benefits.
- Participatie Oudkomers (Participation for Newcomers) Intensive activation and work trajectory combining training, labor orientation, and work for immigrants who have completed the civic-integration phase.
- Ontwikkelingsgerichte Arbeidsmatige Dagbesteding (OAD) (Development-Oriented Labor Day Activities) Plus-trajectory mapping possibilities for labor participation for residents relying on Wmo day care or the Participatiewet.
- Werkacademie (Work Academy Training Programs) Inspiring training trajectory developing vocational and employee skills for motivated participants to enter the labor market, covering VCA safety certification, forklift/reach-truck/high-work-platform/EPT/stacker operation, and youth-specific modules.
- Jobhunting (Werkzoekenden Begeleiding) Plus-trajectory guidance for job seekers to find attractive employers with challenging vacancies.
- Coaching (Job Coaching and Personal Coaching) Plus-service providing extra support including job coaching for better workplace performance and personal coaching to help participants get their lives back on track.
- Woonomgevingsploeg (WOP) (Residential Environment Team) Plus-service collaboration between housing associations, municipalities, and WSD for maintenance work by Participatiewet participants, managed via Marina Simons as named contact.
- Werkervaringsplaats (Work Experience Placement) Plus-trajectory combining work and training for participants with greater distance to the labor market.
- Loonwaardemeting (Wage Value Measurement) Plus-service measuring the wage value of a participant in a specific function to determine subsidy amounts.
- GIDS-diagnose (GIDS Diagnosis / Integrated Intake) Integrated intake and diagnosis service mapping the best way for someone to reintegrate into the labor market.
- Personeel inhuren (Hiring Personnel - Individual & Group Detachment) Employer-facing service offering individual and group detachment of motivated personnel with a distance to the labor market, with WSD handling all payroll, administration, and on-site job coaching.
- Werk uitbesteden (Outsourced Work / Work Outsourcing) Outsourcing of work to WSD for various tasks including seasonal work, special occasions, peak periods, and long-term collaborations in assembly, packaging, logistics, textile sorting, and production.
- Groepsdetachering (Group Detachment) Detachment of a complete team of motivated employees for an agreed period, with full administration and support handled by WSD.
- Individuele detachering (Individual Detachment) Placement of individual motivated employees with professional guidance for specific tasks, including PostNL mail sorting/delivery at the Son facility.
- Circulaire economie / afvalsortering (Circular Economy / Waste Sorting Service) Textile and consumables sorting service operated from WSD's Sint-Oedenrode sorting center for the circular-economy initiative with gemeente Meierijstad, expanded from 40 to 90 waste streams.
Quantifiable outcome
- Waste sorting expanded from 40 to 90 streams for municipality Meierijstad, with a dramatic reduction in residual waste
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use WSD
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
WSD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
WSD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tempo TeamcoreTempo Team, a large Dutch staffing and HR services company, collaborates with WSD on inclusive staffing solutions. WSD's logo is featured on Tempo Team's employer collaboration page, indicating a mutual referral and placement partnership.
- DHLcoreDHL partners with WSD for logistics staffing, with WSD providing motivated workers for DHL's regional operations in Brabant. The partnership supports DHL's social procurement and diversity hiring goals.
- EcotapcoreEcotap, a manufacturer of electric vehicle charging solutions, works with WSD for assembly and production staffing. WSD employees are featured in Ecotap's branding, highlighting the social impact of the partnership.
- VDL GroepcoreVDL Groep, a major Dutch industrial conglomerate, collaborates with WSD for production staffing solutions. WSD's logo appears on VDL Groep's co-supplier page.
- Het GoedcoreHet Goed, a second-hand goods retailer with multiple branches in the region, hosts WSD workers for sorting, pricing, and retail operations. WSD also has an ownership stake in Het Goed as a social enterprise initiative.
- Holland RecyclingminorHolland Recycling works with WSD on sustainable waste processing and circular economy initiatives in the region.
- HuttenminorHutten, a hospitality and catering company, partners with WSD for social catering staffing solutions.
- BercominorBerco, an industrial metalworking company, employs WSD-detached workers. Berco's director Berry van der Velden was featured at WSD's 70th anniversary event, highlighting the company's commitment to inclusive employment.
- PostNLcorePostNL is a major employer of WSD workers, with detachment arrangements at its sorting center in Son. WSD also delivers postal services as part of its own operations (De Postbode brand).
- DesignstarminorDesignstar is listed as a company WSD collaborates with on outsourced work projects.
- Fleur PlasticsminorFleur Plastics outsources production work to WSD, with WSD performing plastic manufacturing tasks at WSD's facilities.
- Alligator PlasticsminorAlligator Plastics partners with WSD for outsourced injection molding work.
- STASminorSTAS (trailer manufacturer) collaborates with WSD on outsourced production work.
- TenG GroepminorTenG Groep is listed as a WSD partner in the employer collaboration section.
- De Dommel (water board)minorWater board De Dommel collaborates with WSD on community environmental projects.
- De PostbodeminorDe Postbode, a local postal service, is both a WSD customer and a partner, with WSD providing postal delivery staff.
- MSBminorMSB is listed as a WSD employer partner on the company's website.
- De Helden van KienminorDe Helden van Kien is listed as a WSD employer partner, providing waste management and environmental services.
- NOL SieradenminorNOL Sieraden, a jewelry retailer, collaborates with WSD on social entrepreneurship in the region.
- UniluxminorUnilux is listed as a WSD partner in the 'Wij werken samen met' section on the work outsourcing page.
- Camps FoodminorCamps Food, a food production company, partners with WSD for outsourced food processing work.
- Gemeente MeierijstadcoreMeierijstad municipality is one of WSD's 9 municipal partners, commissioning WSD for reintegration services and circular economy initiatives (waste sorting expansion from 40 to 90 waste streams).
- #Aantwerkcore#Aantwerk is a regional employer network in Brabant focused on inclusive employment. WSD co-hosted its 70th anniversary event with #Aantwerk, and #Aantwerk's vice chairman Rudy Slegers spoke at the event.
- European Union (co-funded)minorWSD receives European Union co-funding for its operations, as indicated by the EU flag/logo displayed on the website. The specific EU program is not named but is referenced as a subsidy source.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
WSD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- USEM: Dutch social employment organization focused on reintegration and employer staffing for people with distance to the labor market. Comparable in customer segments and offering mix to WSD.
- WeenerXL: Social development company in the 's-Hertogenbosch/Noord-Brabant region, providing reintegration, work experience, and detachment. Geographically adjacent to WSD in Brabant and operates the same Participatiewet/WMO-funded model.
- WerkSaam Westfriesland: Cooperative social development entity serving multiple Westfriesland municipalities with reintegration, sheltered work, and employer placement services. Comparable multi-municipal structure and customer mix to WSD.
- Pantar: Amsterdam-based sociaal ontwikkelbedrijf operating under the same Dutch SW-bedrijf framework as WSD. Provides sheltered employment, reintegration trajectories, and detachment services across multiple municipalities in the Amsterdam region — directly comparable in business model, customer segments, and regulatory environment.
- Caparis: Social enterprise in Friesland/Leeuwarden operating sheltered work facilities and reintegration services for the local municipalities. Comparable headcount scale and regional monopoly structure to WSD.
- Dethon: Social development company serving the Haaglanden region, offering reintegration, sheltered employment, and employer staffing under the Participatiewet framework. Operates with the same three-sided model (municipality + employer + job seeker) as WSD, making it a close structural peer.
- Diamant Groep: Dutch werkontwikkelbedrijf with operations across multiple regions, providing reintegration, training, and detachment services. Directly comparable to WSD in target population (distance-to-labor-market), revenue model (municipality + employer), and product portfolio.
- Baanbrekers: Work reintegration organization providing trajectories, job coaching, and employer services across multiple Dutch municipalities. Closely comparable in service mix and target population to WSD's plus services.
Broad incumbents
- Randstad: Largest Dutch generalist staffing firm, increasingly active in inclusive-employment and Banenafspraak fulfillment. Represents the broad incumbent threat that could encroach on WSD's employer detachment segment.
- Tempo Team: Major Dutch staffing firm (part of Randstad Group) that is already a named partner of WSD on inclusive staffing solutions. Operates across the same employer customers and overlapping distance-to-labor-market candidate pool.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
WSD social profiles
Digital presenceWSD compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
WSD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WSD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
WSD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WSD M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WSD
What does WSD do?
WSD is a Dutch social development company (sociaal ontwikkelbedrijf / werkontwikkelbedrijf) that helps people with a distance to the labor market into appropriate employment through (1) municipality-funded reintegration trajectories, base services such as Beschut werken and Werken met loonkostensubsidie, and plus services including jobhunting, coaching, GIDS-diagnose, and werkervaringsplaats across nine mid-Brabant municipalities; (2) employer staffing through individual and group detachment (secondment) and outsourced production, assembly, packaging, logistics, green maintenance, retail, and textile-sorting contracts; and (3) vocational training via the Werkacademie covering VCA safety and equipment certifications (forklift, reach truck, high work platform, EPT, stacker) alongside youth employability modules.
Is WSD a public or private company?
WSD is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was WSD founded?
WSD was founded in 1954. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is WSD based?
WSD is headquartered in Boxtel, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does WSD make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Municipality-funded reintegration services are the primary driver. The others are employer staffing and detacherings and outsourced work contracts.
Who are WSD's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are USEM, WeenerXL, WerkSaam Westfriesland, Pantar, Caparis, Dethon, Diamant Groep and Baanbrekers. Broad incumbents are Randstad and Tempo Team.
Does WSD have an API?
No public API is recorded for WSD.
What industry is WSD in?
WSD's product category is Workforce Reintegration and Sheltered Employment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAA, Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers), with a secondary code of EDAAAFAM, Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based). Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 8300.