What Allgäuer Werkstätten does

Allgäuer Werkstätten GmbH is a German sheltered workshop (Werkstatt für behinderte Menschen) and social enterprise founded in 1975 in Kempten, Bavaria, providing vocational training, sheltered employment, and care services to approximately 660 people with disabilities across 7 facilities in Kempten and Sonthofen. The organization is supported by approximately 200 staff and operates a diversified portfolio of B2B workshop manufacturing divisions — including carpentry (Schreinerei), metalworking (Metallbearbeitung) equipped with a Hermle 5-axis CNC and DMC 635 V 3-axis CNC, industrial laundry (Wäscherei, RAL-certified), soap production (Seifenherstellung), assembly/kitting (Montage), lettershop, sewing (Näherei), and a novel machine-based ball-cleaning service — alongside public-facing retail and hospitality outlets. The retail side comprises the WerkShop bistro and sales shop in Kempten, the inclusive Café GUT LEBEN in Fischen im Allgäu, the Keramikwerkstatt ceramics workshop, and a WerkShop online shop shipping products within Germany. The enterprise also runs the AZAV-certified Berufsbildungsbereich (vocational training area) and the Integra program for supported transitions into the general labor market, with two wholly-owned subsidiaries — Integrationsgesellschaft Allgäu mbH (IGA) and inJob Allgäu GmbH — extending the mission to long-term unemployed populations.

The business model blends regulated cost-carrier reimbursements (Agentur für Arbeit, Bezirk Schwaben, Deutsche Rentenversicherung) with earned revenue from B2B contract manufacturing and B2C retail/hospitality sales. Unit pricing on consumer goods ranges from €3.00 for cushion pad sets to €37.50 per box of Ofensäckle; B2B services are priced on contract terms with industrial customers including BHS-Sonthofen, Höss Brau- und Vertriebs, Multivac, GEA, Husqvarna, Ceratizit, Primavera Life, Hagenauer+Denk, V-Baumarkt, Georg Jos. Kaes, and Kloster Irsee. Quality and regulatory posture is anchored by ISO 9001:2015 certification held since 2001, AZAV accreditation as a vocational training provider, and RAL hygiene certifications for the laundry operation. The organization is governed by a Verwungsrat oversight body linked to the founding Lebenshilfe Kempten and Lebenshilfe Südlicher Landkreis Oberallgäu parent initiatives, with operational leadership provided jointly by Geschäftsführer Michael Hauke (Dipl.-Betriebswirt) and Matthias Zimmermann. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Allgäuer Werkstätten

Legal name

Allgäuer Werkstätten GmbH

Website

https://allgaeuer-werkstaetten.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Allgäuer Werkstätten GmbH is a German sheltered workshop founded in 1975 in Kempten, providing vocational training, sheltered employment, and care services to approximately 660 people with disabilities across 7 facilities in Kempten and Sonthofen, operating B2B manufacturing workshops (carpentry, metalwork, laundry, soap, assembly, lettershop) alongside inclusive retail and hospitality outlets serving both enterprise customers and private consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kempten

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. B2B Manufacturing Services: Contract manufacturing and service provision to business customers including industrial companies, bakeries, breweries, and food service businesses. Services include carpentry, metalworking, assembly/packaging, laundry, soap production, lettershop, sewing, and ball cleaning.
2. E-commerce Retail: Direct online sales of wood products, fire-starting materials, and handmade goods through the company's own online shop.
3. Bistro and Café Sales: Food service operations including WerkShop bistro in Kempten and Café GUT LEBEN in Fischen, serving meals, snacks, and beverages.
4. Soap and Cleaning Products Wholesale: Production and sale of liquid soaps, cream soaps, and refill products for dispenser systems to schools, homes, public facilities, and industrial sites.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Allgäuer Werkstätten is a non-profit sheltered workshop operating seven facilities in Kempten and Sonthofen, Germany, providing vocational training, supported employment, and day care for approximately 660 people with disabilities. It generates revenue through B2B contract manufacturing divisions (carpentry, metalworking, industrial laundry, soap production, assembly, lettershop, sewing, ball cleaning) and direct-to-consumer retail operations (WerkShop bistro/shop, Café GUT LEBEN, online shop for handmade wood products and ceramics).

Product overview

Allgäuer Werkstätten is a sheltered workshop and social enterprise providing vocational integration, employment, and care services for approximately 660 people with disabilities across seven facilities in Kempten and Sonthofen, Germany. The organization operates a diversified portfolio of workshop manufacturing and service divisions (Schreinerei, Metallbearbeitung, Wäscherei, Seifenherstellung, Montage/Konfektionierung, Lettershop, Lätzchen/Näherei, Ballreinigung, Keramikwerkstatt) alongside public-facing retail and hospitality outlets (WerkShop bistro and retail shop, Café GUT LEBEN). Its commercial revenue-generating activities directly fund the social mission of providing meaningful employment and support for people with disabilities. Products and services are primarily physical (woodwork, metalwork, laundry, soaps, ceramics, assembly, mailing) with an emerging e-commerce channel (WerkShop Online Shop). The B2B workshop divisions serve external business customers under quality management certified to ISO 9001 and AZAV, while retail and hospitality operations serve private consumers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WerkShop Bistro and Sales Shop A publicly accessible bistro and retail shop at Zeppelinstraße 10, Kempten, offering hot meals, snacks, baked goods, coffee, and tea alongside handcrafted products (wood products, ceramics, fire starters, gifts) made by people with disabilities at the workshops. The bistro serves lunch with a vegetarian option.
• Café GUT LEBEN An inclusive café located in Fischen im Allgäu, Pfarrstraße 1, offering fresh baked goods, cakes, hot and cold beverages, light lunch snacks, and handcrafted gift items. It operates as an inclusive workplace employing people with and without disabilities.
• WerkShop Online Shop A proprietary online shop selling selected in-house products including Anzündpads (fire-starting pads), Ofensäckle (fireplace sacks), wood items such as stools, tablet stands, wine racks, universal work horses, and packing cushions. Products are made by people with disabilities at the workshops and shipped within Germany.
• Keramikwerkstatt (Ceramics Workshop) A ceramics workshop producing handmade plates, cups, and custom-made items such as door signs, children's dishware, and baptism plates. Each piece is a unique, dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe item produced at the Allgäuer Werkstätten.
• Seifenherstellung (Soap Production) Production of handcrafted soap cream and liquid soap refill systems under the 'Allgäu Serie' brand (Allgäuer Classic, Allgäuer Berge, Allgäuer Seen, Allgäuer Sonne). Products are suitable for schools, homes, public and industrial facilities, and private use, and are compatible with major dispenser systems (CWS, TORK, Universal, Apura, Schumm/Henkel).
• Schreinerei (Woodworking / Carpentry) A fully equipped woodworking and carpentry workshop providing custom wood products including work horses, packaging crates, custom pallets, shelves, stools, display stands, and small-batch custom pieces. Capabilities include CNC panel saws, CNC machining centers, multi-spindle planers (Weining Powermat 700), and finger jointing machines (Homag Sawteg B-200).
• Metallbearbeitung (Metalworking) CNC milling, drilling, and sawing services using two CNC milling machines including a Hermle 5-axis machine (working range 800×600×500 mm, 15,000 rpm) and a DMC 635 V 3-axis machine (working range 635×510×460 mm, 8,000 rpm). Also offers conventional metalworking including automatic saws, circular saws, and pillar drilling machines.
• Wäscherei (Industrial Laundry) Industrial laundry service for industry and gastronomy, providing washing, mangling, and pressing of work clothing and flat linens. The laundries are certified by the Gütegemeinschaft 'Sachgemäße Wäschepflege e.V.' with RAL hygiene certificates covering commercial laundry, hospital laundry, and food-industry laundry.
• Montage / Konfektionierung (Assembly / Kitting) Assembly, packaging, and sorting services for business customers, including sub-assembly, repacking, sorting, inserting, and labeling. The service is designed to relieve companies and free up capacity for core tasks.
• Lettershop End-to-end mail processing service including laser printing (single and multi-color, A4 and A3 duplex), folding, enveloping/bundling, postage optimization, and delivery to shipping partners. Also includes desktop publishing and media design services.
• Lätzchen / Näherei (Aprons / Sewing) Sewing services including the production of bibs and aprons for people with oral closure issues, upcycling of advertising banners into bags and useful items, and custom bespoke textile manufacturing.
• Ballreinigung (Ball Cleaning Service) A specialized machine-based cleaning service for therapy ball pits and ball baths. The machine individually washes balls with warm water and disinfectant, dries them, and returns them ready for use. Ball sizes of 60 mm and 75 mm diameter are supported.
• Berufsbildungsbereich (Vocational Training) Vocational training and education programs for people with disabilities, offering occupational qualification in areas such as assembly, woodwork, housekeeping, and laundry. AZAV-certified as an accredited education provider. Participants are covered by pension and health insurance from the start.
• INTEGRA – External Work Placements A program that supports people with disabilities in transitioning to regular employment by providing facilitated work placements, internships, external work positions, and supported employment in companies across the Kempten and Oberallgäu region.
• Förderstätte (Day Care Facility) A day care and support facility for severely and profoundly disabled people at three locations (Eggener Berg 2 Kempten, Zeppelinstraße 5 Kempten, Eisenschmelze 25a Sonthofen), providing individual support plans, therapeutic atmosphere, and 24-hour care capacity until retirement.
• Arbeitsbegleitende Angebote (Work Accompaniment Services) Supplementary services including vocational support, health promotion, and social, musical, and creative offerings to maintain and develop the work capacity and personality of employees with disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully employs and supports approximately 660 people with disabilities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lebenshilfe BayerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization providing support and guidance for services for people with disabilities in Bavaria
• Lebenshilfe KemptencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founding organization; local Lebenshilfe chapter providing ongoing support and governance
• Lebenshilfe Südlicher Landkreis OberallgäucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founding organization; local Lebenshilfe chapter providing ongoing support and governance
• Körperbehinderte Allgäu gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization serving physically disabled individuals in the Allgäu region
• Verein für SozialwirtschaftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial economy association supporting social enterprises and services
• Integrationsgesellschaft Allgäu mbH (IGA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsidiary company focused on integration of people with disabilities into the general labor market
• inJob Allgäu GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsidiary providing employment opportunities for long-term unemployed people with various limitations
• Marke AllgäuminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional marketing partnership promoting Allgäu as a destination and brand
• EUREGIO via salinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCross-border cooperation platform in the Alpine region
• IHK SchwabenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of Commerce and Industry supporting regional business connections and inclusion in the workplace
• Lebenshilfe Bad DürkheimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal Lebenshilfe organization partnership network
• SunnahofminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal partner organization for people with disabilities

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Sunnahof (Vorarlberg, Austria): Austrian social enterprise listed as a partner of Allgäuer Werkstätten, providing sheltered employment and farm/social services for people with disabilities across the border in Vorarlberg. Comparable social mission with regional rather than direct geographic overlap.

Direct peers

• Integrationswerkstätten Oberfranken: Bavarian sheltered workshop consortium providing contract manufacturing (assembly, packaging, metalwork), vocational training, and labor-market integration services for people with disabilities. Directly comparable in operating model and end customers (regional industrial companies).
• Barmherzige Brüder Werkstätten (Brothers of Mercy workshops): Catholic-affiliated WfbM operator combining sheltered employment with vocational training, day care, and contract services (laundry, carpentry, assembly) for people with disabilities in Bavaria. Comparable scale and operating model.
• Werkstätten der Lebenshilfe Bad Dürkheim: Lebenshilfe-affiliated sheltered workshop operator already listed as a partner organization of Allgäuer Werkstätten. Provides comparable sheltered employment, vocational training, and contract manufacturing services in the Rhineland-Palatinate region under the same federation structure.
• Lebenshilfe Werkstätten Oberfranken: Sister organization under the Lebenshilfe federation providing sheltered employment, vocational training (Berufsbildungsbereich), Förderstätte day care, and contract manufacturing in the Oberfranken region of Bavaria. Comparable in governance structure (Lebenshilfe parents' initiative), funding model, and service breadth.
• Diakonie Werkstätten (WfbM): Diakonie-affiliated sheltered workshops across Germany operating under the same WfbM framework with similar portfolios of contract manufacturing, vocational training, and day care for people with disabilities. Alternative faith-based federation with comparable service offering.
• Mainfränkische Werkstätten GmbH: Recognized German sheltered workshop (WfbM) operator in the Mainfranken region offering a comparable portfolio of contract manufacturing (carpentry, metal, assembly, laundry), vocational training, and retail/hospitality outlets for people with disabilities. Closest structural analogue to Allgäuer Werkstätten in mission, scale, and service mix.
• Caritas Werkstätten (various Bavarian locations): Caritas-affiliated WfbM operators in Bavaria providing sheltered employment, vocational training, and contract manufacturing services for people with disabilities under the same SGB IX regulatory framework. Directly comparable in regulatory regime, beneficiary profile, and revenue model.
• WfbM der Lebenshilfe München: Large urban Lebenshilfe-affiliated WfbM in Munich providing sheltered employment, vocational training, and contract manufacturing services. Sister federation member under Lebenshilfe Bayern with comparable service portfolio, though in a metropolitan context.

Emerging players

• Textilreinigung Hohenstein (industrial laundry peer): Industrial/hospital laundry operator with RAL hygiene certifications comparable to Allgäuer Werkstätten's Wäscherei. Not a sheltered workshop but a competing industrial laundry in the same regional customer pool; relevant for benchmarking the laundry revenue line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/allgaeuerwerkstaetten

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Allgäuer Werkstätten