Hannoversche Werkstätten

What Hannoversche Werkstätten does

Hannoversche Werkstätten gem. GmbH (HW) is a recognized German workshop for people with disabilities (Werkstatt für Menschen mit Behinderung) operating under § 225 SGB IX. Founded more than 40 years ago and headquartered at Thurnithistraße 1, 30519 Hannover, HW is a private non-profit GmbH owned by BNV, Lebenshilfe Langenhagen, and ADeV, led by Managing Director Manfred Willems. Its shareholders are BNV (Bildungsverein für soziale Arbeit), Lebenshilfe Langenhagen, and ADeV. The organization supports people with physical, intellectual, and psychological disabilities through an integrated portfolio spanning vocational training (Berufsbildungsbereich, Landwirtschaftskammer-certified qualifications), sheltered workshop employment (woodworking, metalwork, assembly, laundry, gardening, gastronomy), external/integrated workplace placement (betriebsintegrierte Arbeitsplätze, Budget für Arbeit, Jobcoaching), residential assistance (Assistenz beim Wohnen), day facilities (Tagesstätte, Tagesförderstätte), and inclusive leisure/retail venues (Café anna leine, bakery, butcher, Kiosk Linie 6, Wohncafés). It operates through two wholly-owned subsidiaries — jobwärts gGmbH (building cleaning) and Mosaik gGmbH (residential, school, and family services) — and runs community media properties including the bips inclusive magazine, the Handicap on Air radio program on Leibniz.fm, and the Die Eisbrecher inclusive rock band.

HW's business model blends government-funded social services under SGB IX with commercial revenue from contract manufacturing and services for business clients, plus direct retail and foodservice revenue. It is certified to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and to the Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen for the Hilfskraft in der Hauswirtschaft qualification program. The go-to-market approach is community-led: referrals through social services, educational institutions, and disability networks; regular information events for prospective participants and families; and public visibility via sports championships (German football champion 2023, multiple Lower Saxony titles), media coverage, and partnerships with corporates such as enercity, Sparkasse Hannover, Continental, dm-drogeriemarkt, Rewe, and hanova WOHNEN. HW operates 13+ physical locations across the Hannover region and reports no proprietary technology platform, mobile app, or AI/ML capabilities — service delivery is labor-intensive and human-supervised.

Name

Hannoversche Werkstätten

Legal name

Hannoversche Werkstätten gem. GmbH

Website

https://hw-hannover.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hannoversche Werkstätten is a recognized German WfbM under § 225 SGB IX providing vocational training, sheltered workshop employment, residential assistance, and inclusive retail (café, bakery, kiosk) for people with disabilities across 13+ Hannover-region locations, funded through SGB IX social services and commercial contract-manufacturing revenue, with two wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services and Vocational Rehabilitation

SIC

Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries (3990)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Disability employment services
• Contract manufacturing services
• Inclusive workshop programs
• Social services and supported employment

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanover

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Social Services Funding (SGB IX): Government-funded social services for people with disabilities under Social Security Code IX (SGB IX). Provides core funding for workshop services, residential assistance, and day facilities.
2. Workshop and Manufacturing Services: Contract manufacturing and assembly services for businesses including metalworking, woodwork, sewing, laundry, gardening, and bicycle repair. Revenue from business clients for production services.
3. Retail and Foodservice Operations: Direct retail sales through bakery, butcher shop, café (Café anna leine), kiosk (Kiosk Linie 6), and canteens. Foodservice operations generate direct revenue from customers.
4. Service Contracts with Companies: Building cleaning services through jobwärts gGmbH subsidiary, office services, and other contract services for business customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hannoversche Werkstätten gem. GmbH is a recognized workshop for people with disabilities that provides vocational training, supported employment, residential assistance, and day-care services under § 225 SGB IX. It operates production workshops (woodworking, metalworking, assembly, gardening, laundry, gastronomy, office services) for business clients and runs its own retail outlets (Café anna leine, bakery, butcher, Kiosk Linie 6, canteens). Through subsidiaries jobwärts gGmbH and Mosaik gGmbH, the organization extends its portfolio to include building cleaning and residential/family support services.

Product overview

Hannoversche Werkstätten gem. GmbH is an recognized workshop for people with disabilities (Werkstatt für Menschen mit Behinderung, WfbM) offering a comprehensive portfolio of vocational, residential, and social services. The organization operates as a multi-service provider with workshop offerings (woodworking, metalworking, assembly, gardening, laundry, gastronomy, office services), vocational training programs (Berufsbildungsbereich), residential assistance (Assistenz beim Wohnen), day facilities (Tagesstätte, Tagesförderstätte), and business integration services (betriebsintegrierte Arbeitsplätze, Budget für Arbeit, Jobcoaching). Key branded operations include Café anna leine, Bäckerei, Fleischerei, and Kiosk Linie 6. Subsidiaries include jobwärts gGmbH (building cleaning) and Mosaik gGmbH (residential and family services). Media offerings comprise the bips inclusive magazine, Handicap on Air radio program, and the Die Eisbrecher rock band. The organization serves both as a social services provider and as a supplier of commercial services to businesses, with a focus on enabling inclusion and transition to the general labor market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Café anna leine: Inclusive café operated by the workshop where people with and without disabilities work together
• Bürsten und Besen
• Genuss
• Hannoversche Wohnassistenz
• Die Eisbrecher
• bips
• Handicap on Air

Products and services

• Werkstatt-Angebote (Workshop Offerings) Vocational workshop services for people with disabilities, including wood processing, metalworking, assembly and packaging, gardening and landscaping, laundry and sewing, gastronomy, and office services for business clients.
• Berufsbildungsbereich (Vocational Training) Vocational education and training programs that qualify people with disabilities for the general labor market. Includes certification programs like 'Hilfskraft in der Hauswirtschaft' (Assistant in Household Management) in cooperation with the Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen.
• Betriebsintegrierte Arbeitsplätze (Integrated Workplace Positions) Supported employment positions that integrate people with disabilities into regular workplaces with ongoing support.
• Budget für Arbeit Program that provides funding and support to employers to hire people with disabilities from the workshop onto the general labor market.
• Jobcoaching On-the-job coaching services that support people with disabilities placed in the general labor market.
• Tagesförderstätte (Day Care Facility) Day care services for people with severe disabilities who cannot participate in workshop programs.
• Assistenz beim Wohnen (AbW) (Living Assistance) Residential assistance services helping people with disabilities live independently in their own homes or assisted living facilities.
• Tagesstätte (Day Facility) Daytime support and activities for people with disabilities at various locations across Hannover.
• Café anna leine Inclusive café in Hannover's old town operated by people with and without disabilities, offering handmade food and beverages. Hosts the 'Nessis Promi-Talk' event series featuring local celebrities.
• Bäckerei Hannoversche Werkstätten (Bakery) On-site bakery producing bread, pastries, and baked goods for sale and for use in the organization's canteens and café.
• Fleischerei Hannoversche Werkstätten (Butchery) On-site butchery producing sausages and meat products for sale and for use in the organization's gastronomy operations.
• Kiosk Linie 6 Inclusive neighborhood kiosk with postal services in Kronsberg-Süd, operated by people with disabilities. Sells sandwiches, hot and cold beverages, sweets, newspapers, and products from partner workshops.
• jobwärts gGmbH Building Cleaning Services Wholly-owned subsidiary providing building cleaning services as an inclusion enterprise for people with disabilities.
• Mosaik gGmbH Inclusive Living Services Wholly-owned subsidiary offering diverse services including residential schools, school support, family assistance services, inclusive holiday care, leisure assistance, and supported communication (KommIn).
• Holzbearbeitung (Woodworking) Woodworking services for business clients including custom furniture, wooden constructions, and products like wild bee hotels produced for BINGO environmental lottery.
• Metallbearbeitung (Metalworking) Metalworking and fabrication services for business clients.
• Konfektionierung und Montage (Assembly and Packaging) Assembly and packaging services for business clients, including production of Bingo game kits.
• Gartenbau und Gartenpflege (Gardening and Landscape Maintenance) Gardening and landscape maintenance services for businesses and public spaces.
• Wäscherei und Näherei (Laundry and Sewing) Certified laundry and sewing services, including production of 'Bürsten und Besen' brushes and brooms.
• Gastronomie (Catering/Gastronomy) Catering services including operation of company canteens, bistro, and food production for events and daily meals.
• Office-Dienstleistungen (Office Services) Administrative and office support services for business clients.
• Fahrradwerkstatt (Bicycle Workshop) Bicycle repair and maintenance services, including sales of bicycles and bicycle parts.
• Stuhlflechterei (Chair Weaving) Traditional chair caning and weaving services for furniture restoration.
• Qualifizierungsmaßnahme Hilfskraft in der Hauswirtschaft (Household Assistant Qualification) Two-year qualification program certified by Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen, training people with disabilities as household assistants. Graduates receive recognized certificates for the general labor market.

Quantifiable outcome

• 141 people with disabilities employed at Rethen location
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Mosaik gem. GmbH inklusiv LebencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly-owned subsidiary providing residential assistance, school support, family services, leisure assistance, and educational services across Hannover and Garbsen areas. Services include Wohnschule (residential school), Schulbegleitung (school assistance), Familienunterstützender Dienst (family support), and inclusive holiday care.
• jobwärts gGmbH Inklusionsbetriebe HannovercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly-owned subsidiary offering customized building cleaning services as an inclusive employment provider. Specializes in facility management services enabling people with disabilities to work in external labor market positions.
• Landwirtschaftskammer NiedersachsencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertification partner for the 'Hilfskraft in der Hauswirtschaft' (Assistant in Household Management) qualification program. Provides official certification recognized for employment outside sheltered workshops on the general labor market. Partnership active since November 2019.
• hanova WOHNEN GmbHflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term cooperation partner in housing development. HW provides inclusive Wohngemeinschaften (shared living) with qualified assistance, runs Wohncafé (residential café) in Kattenbrookstrift, operates Kiosk Linie 6 neighborhood kiosk with DHL parcel service, and conducts inclusive neighborhood work in Kronsrode development area.
• enercityflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerInitiator of first DUOday Hannover event pairing people with disabilities with company representatives for job shadowing. Sponsored new team jerseys for Special Olympics Niedersachsen athletes. Supporting inclusive employment initiatives.
• Sparkasse HannoverminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipated as partner in DUOday Hannover event enabling workplace visits for people with disabilities.
• ContinentalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipated as partner in DUOday Hannover event enabling workplace visits for people with disabilities.
• dm-drogeriemarkt (Laatzen-Rethen)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerConducts annual Wunschbaum (wish tree) Christmas donation campaign for 141+ HW employees at Rethen location. Customers purchase gift bags (€4 each) donated to workers with disabilities.
• Special Olympics NiedersachsencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing partnership for inclusive sports. HW athletes compete in Special Olympics events; Nessis Promi-Talk raises funds for Special Olympics; participated in National Games 2022 in Berlin.
• BINGO-UmweltlotteriecoreOthersHW Holzbereich (wood workshop) produces products for Bingo environmental lottery. Produced 5,000+ wild bee hotels and bird feeders (Bausätze) for distribution to lottery participants.
• Rewe (Sarstedt)minorOthersKiosk training partner where HW employees practice retail skills and learn about product ordering and inventory management.
• Schulbiologiezentrum HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates school partnerships for inclusive beekeeping project. Schools with bee clubs receive bee boxes manufactured in HW workshops.
• Leibniz.fmcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCitizens' radio station broadcasting Handicap on Air inclusive radio program monthly since September 2025 on UKW 106.5.
• Kulturbüro der Landeshauptstadt HannoverminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunded documentary film about Die Eisbrecher inclusive rock band celebrating 30th anniversary.
• TV Plus Productions GermanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTelevision production company that filmed wild bee hotel production process for NDR broadcast.
• Förder- und IntegrationsschulenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAnnual Tag der offenen Tür (open day) events attract students from special and integration schools to learn about vocational training opportunities.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen (BAG WfbM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella organization. HW participates in BAG initiatives including 'Werkstatt ist Mehr' (Workshop is More) campaign and 'Schichtwechsel' (shift exchange) program pairing disability advocates with politicians.
• Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Arbeit │ Bildung │ TeilhabeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnables Schichtwechsel program bringing HW workers to exchange positions with politicians and business leaders.
• Deutsche Post / DHLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPost office services offered at Kiosk Linie 6 including stamp sales, parcel shipping, registered mail, and packaging materials.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest social lottery and grant-making foundation funding inclusion, disability, and accessibility projects. Not a service competitor but a major funding source and ecosystem participant relevant to HW's inclusion mission and corporate partnerships.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen (BAG WfbM): National umbrella association of German Werkstätten, of which HW is an active member. Coordinates sector initiatives like 'Werkstatt ist Mehr' and 'Schichtwechsel' that shape policy and funding advocacy for all member WfbMs.
• Special Olympics Deutschland: National sports organization for athletes with intellectual disabilities and HW's long-standing sports partner. Co-hosts training programs, championships, and fundraising events (e.g., Nessis Promi-Talk) that are central to HW's community engagement.

Direct peers

• BHH Sozialkontor gGmbH: Hamburg-based nonprofit operating WfbM workshops and inclusion enterprises with a multi-site workshop, retail, and contract-services model closely aligned to HW's structure in northern Germany.
• Deutscher Caritasverband: Catholic welfare association running a national network of Werkstätten and inclusion enterprises; directly comparable service mix (workshops, residential support, qualification programs) under the same SGB IX regulatory framework.
• Haus Freudenberg GmbH: Christian-affiliated Werkstatt operator providing sheltered employment, residential assistance, and inclusion services across multiple sites; comparable multi-service WfbM model in another German state.
• Diakonie Deutschland: Protestant welfare federation operating numerous WfbM workshops across Germany with comparable participant intake, contract manufacturing, and inclusion-employment offerings; competes for the same SGB IX funding pool and corporate B2B contracts.
• Lebenshilfe (Bundesvereinigung): Germany's largest disability-advocacy umbrella, operating an extensive nationwide network of Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen with the same SGB IX §225 funding model and similar vocational, residential, and inclusion service portfolios as HW.
• CJD Braunschweig (Christliches Jugenddorfwerk): Christian social services organization running vocational training, WfbM workshops, and inclusion programs in Lower Saxony; directly comparable regional peer for vocational qualification and workshop services.

Regional players

• Lebenshilfe Braunschweig gGmbH: Regional Lebenshilfe chapter operating WfbM workshops and inclusion services in the Braunschweig area of Lower Saxony; closest geographic competitor serving overlapping participant pools and B2B clients in the same federal state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 Hannoversche Werkstätten