What Drechtwerk does

Drechtwerk B.V. is a Dutch social work and development company (sociaal werk- en ontwikkelbedrijf) headquartered in Dordrecht, Netherlands, operating under the Gemeenschappelijke Regeling Sociaal (GR Sociaal) since January 1, 2023. The organization executes a portion of the Dutch Participatiewet (Participation Act) for six municipalities in the Drechtsteden region — Alblasserdam, Dordrecht, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Papendrecht, Sliedrecht, and Zwijndrecht — supporting roughly 929 WSW (Wet sociale werkvoorziening) employees plus Begeleid Werken participants and trainees toward sustainable employment. Service delivery runs through three operating divisions: DrechtwerkActief (workplace learning, production outsourcing, facility services), DrechtwerkGroen (green maintenance for municipalities, housing associations, and businesses), and Drechtwerk Detacheren (staffing placement and Begeleid Werken / supported employment), with a catering sub-brand called De Keuken.

The underlying operating platform comprises 1,500 m² of production space with 1,350 pallet locations (200 refrigerated), certified food production lines (FSSC 22000, SKAL Biocertificaat), WEEELABEX-certified e-waste disassembly, ISO 9001:2015 / VCA** / Groenkeur green-maintenance credentials, and specialized packaging equipment (flowpack machines, metal detectors, bundle-wrapping with 760mm seal bar). Service channels include on-site detachment, work-process outsourcing at client locations, production outsourcing at Drechtwerk facilities, supported employment with wage-cost subsidies, and management of children's farms across four municipalities.

Drechtwerk's revenue model mixes a protected government mandate (Participatiewet execution by GR Sociaal), transaction-fee-based detachment and outsourcing services billed to regional employers, and subsidized Begeleid Werken placements funded through municipal wage subsidies and WIA/WW premium discounts. Pricing is negotiated per project and not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market combines government-referral pipelines (Sociale Dienst Drechtsteden), direct enterprise field sales via consulenten for Detacheren en Begeleid Werken, and the Werkontwikkelbedrijven.nl aggregator platform bundling 17 Dutch work development companies. Customers span municipalities (e.g., Gemeente Dordrecht, Zwijndrecht), regional enterprises (Heijmans, Welzorg, DHM-Vos, SGD, EGM Architecten), SMBs (Opnieuw & Co, Sterpoelier Jan Noorland), and social organizations.

Name

Drechtwerk

Legal name

Drechtwerk B.V.

Website

http://www.drechtwerk.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Drechtwerk is a Dutch social work and development company that executes the Participatiewet for six Drechtsteden municipalities, supporting roughly 929 WSW employees and job seekers with distance to the labor market through detachment, outsourcing, green maintenance, food production, and supported-employment services for regional employers and government clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Work and Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Professional Employer Organizations (561330), Food Service Contractors (722310), Facilities Support Services (56121)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Help Supply Services (7363)

akta.pro primary industry

Contract Foodservice Management (Outsourced Catering) (THAFAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Furniture Disassembly/Reassembly Labor (HSAKAMAD)

Keywords

• Social work services
• Workforce development
• Staffing detachment
• Production outsourcing
• Green maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nieuw-dordrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Mandate (Participatiewet Execution): As a social work company, Drechtwerk executes a portion of the Dutch Participatiewet (Participation Act) on behalf of six municipalities in the Drechtsteden region (Alblasserdam, Dordrecht, Hendrik Ido Ambacht, Papendrecht, Sliedrecht, and Zwijndrecht). This is a core statutory task involving the development and guidance of job seekers toward the labor market.
2. Detachment & Staffing Services: Drechtwerk detaches employees to client organizations. Clients pay a fee related to the work performed by the detached employee. Drechtwerk remains the employer, handles HR responsibilities, and provides on-site supervision. Revenue is generated through hourly rates or task-based pricing charged to employers.
3. Production Outsourcing: DrechtwerkActief provides outsourced production services including packaging, assembly, food production, and greenery services. Employers supply materials and Drechtwerk performs the work in its 1,500 m² production facilities or at the client's location. Revenue is generated through negotiated service fees based on work volume and complexity.
4. Begeleid Werken (Supported Employment): Drechtwerk facilitates 'Begeleid Werken' (supported employment) for employees with a social work (sw) indication. Employers receive wage cost subsidies, financial compensation for additional costs, and discounts on WIA and WW premiums. This subsidized employment form generates revenue through government subsidy mechanisms and employer contributions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Drechtwerk is a Dutch social work and development company that supports job seekers with a distance to the labor market and provides staffing, detachment, and outsourcing services to regional employers. It offers three main service lines: DrechtwerkActief (production, assembly, packaging, food production, facility services), DrechtwerkGroen (green space maintenance for municipalities and businesses), and Drechtwerk Detacheren (staffing, detachment, and supported employment). Services are delivered both at Drechtwerk's own facilities and on client sites, and include catering, e-waste recycling, children's farm management, and development tracks for participants.

Product overview

Drechtwerk is a social work and development company offering an integrated portfolio of employment and support services. The organization operates through three main divisions: DrechtwerkActief (production, assembly, packaging, and facility services), DrechtwerkGroen (green maintenance and landscaping), and Drechtwerk Detacheren (staffing and supported employment). Core offerings include De Keuken (catering), Facilitaire diensten (facility management), food production, montage/assembly, packaging/repackaging, and specialized services including WEEELABEX-certified electronics disassembly. For job seekers and participants, Drechtwerk provides day activities (Dagbesteding), participation places, internships, and development tracks (Leerlijnen) across green services, logistics, cleaning, hospitality, and production. Services are delivered both at Drechtwerk's own facilities (1500m2 production space with 1350 pallet locations including 200 refrigerated) and at client locations through staffing arrangements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DrechtwerkGroen: Green space maintenance services for municipalities, housing associations, healthcare institutions and businesses, including hygiene contracts in recreation areas.
• DrechtwerkActief
• Drechtwerk Detacheren
• De Keuken

Products and services

• Drechtwerk Detacheren

Quantifiable outcome

• 67 employees transitioned out of Wsw in 2023 through various pathways including VUT/pension, long-term incapacity, Begeleid werken, and other exits.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 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

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Woonbron Short Stay FacilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2025Drechtwerk's new in-house laundry facility is located in the Woonbron Short Stay Facilities building, where Leger des Heils and Yulius are also housed. This co-location creates a shared community facility and contributes to neighborhood vitality.
• Leerpraktijkpunt Waterwiel (Gemeente Dordrecht, Sociale Dienst, Salios, Woonbron)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2024The first Leerpraktijkpunt (Learning Practice Point) in Dordrecht opened in the Waterwiel building. The initiative is a collaboration between Gemeente Dordrecht, Sociale Dienst, Drechtwerk, Salios, and Woonbron. It provides work experience and development opportunities for residents seeking work, with Drechtwerk contributing to the learning and development component.
• GR Sociaal (Gemeenschappelijke Regeling Sociaal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Since January 1, 2023, Drechtwerk and the Sociale Dienst Drechtsteden (SDD) are jointly organized under the Gemeenschappelijke Regeling Sociaal (GR Sociaal). This formalized partnership integrates 'Ontwikwikkelen en Werk' (Development and Work), combining Drechtwerk's work development operations with SDD's employment services to create a unified social infrastructure for the Drechtsteden region.
• Gemeente PapendrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrechtwerk manages the Papenhoeve children's farm in Papendrecht. Since January 2019, Drechtwerk Groen has been responsible for animal care and grounds maintenance. Since May 2022, Drechtwerk Actief also manages the hospitality, events, and education aspects of the farm.
• Gemeente ZwijndrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrechtwerk manages the Kiboe-Hoeve children's farm in Zwijndrecht, providing animal care and grounds maintenance with dedicated Drechtwerk colleagues.
• Gemeente SliedrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrechtwerk manages the children's farm in Sliedrecht, with Drechtwerk colleagues providing animal care and grounds maintenance, keeping the farm a vibrant community space.
• Gemeente RidderkerkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrechtwerk manages the children's farm in Ridderkerk as part of its community services.
• Welzorg (Louwmangroep)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelzorg (part of Louwmangroep) partnered with Drechtwerk because its existing social development partner (MidZuid) did not have enough staff to accommodate Welzorg's needs. Drechtwerk now has 16 employees detached to Welzorg, and a Drechtwerk manager has helped shape the development trajectory of colleagues at the location.
• Werkontwikkelbedrijven.nl (16 other werkontwikkelbedrijven)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrechtwerk is one of 17 werkontwikkelbedrijven (work development companies) bundled on the Werkontwikkelbedrijven.nl platform. By pooling forces, the companies offer employers more overview, share knowledge and experience, and can handle larger and more complex orders. The collaboration aims to improve efficiency and effectiveness while maintaining social impact as the starting point.
• Handhaving Gemeente DordrechtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGemeente Dordrecht's Handhaving (enforcement) department collects abandoned, wrecked, and unclaimed bicycles from the streets. Those not claimed within 13 weeks are transferred to Drechtwerk's bicycle recycling project, where Drechtwerk employees refurbish the bikes for donation to residents in need.
• Geef het DortminorOthersGeef het Dort is a partner in the bicycle recycling project, contributing to the social and sustainable objectives of providing bicycles to residents who need them.
• Stichting LeergeldminorOthersStichting Leergeld is a partner in the bicycle recycling project, supporting the distribution of refurbished bicycles to children and families in need.
• Leger des HeilsminorOthersLeger des Heils is co-located with Drechtwerk's laundry facility at Woonbron Short Stay Facilities, contributing to neighborhood vitality and community integration.
• YuliusminorOthersYulius is co-located with Drechtwerk's laundry facility at Woonbron Short Stay Facilities, contributing to the integrated community facility concept.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pantar: Pantar is the largest Dutch social work and development company (werkontwikkelbedrijf) in the Amsterdam region, providing sheltered employment, detachment, and outsourced production services - directly comparable to Drechtwerk's mandate and service mix in a different Dutch catchment.
• Werkpro: Werkpro is a Dutch social work company operating in Drenthe, executing the Participatiewet for local municipalities and offering detachment, assembly, packaging, and green services - structurally identical business model to Drechtwerk with regional rather than direct competition.
• Scalabor: Scalabor is a Dutch social work and development company (werkontwikkelbedrijf) based in Arnhem that provides detachment, production outsourcing, packaging, and green maintenance for municipalities and employers - a peer to Drechtwerk within the same 17-company Werkontwikkelbedrijven.nl platform.
• WSD Groep: WSD Groep is a social work company in Noord-Brabant (Boxtel) executing the Participatiewet for local municipalities, offering detachment, assembly, packaging, and facility services comparable to Drechtwerk's divisions.
• Diamant Groep: Diamant Groep is a Dutch social work and development company in Nijmegen providing workforce development, detachment, and outsourced production services for municipalities and regional employers - directly comparable to Drechtwerk's Participatiewet execution role.
• MidZuid: MidZuid is a Dutch social work company that previously served Welzorg (a Drechtwerk customer) with detachment services, illustrating direct regional overlap with Drechtwerk's staffing and Begeleid Werken offerings in South Holland.

Broad incumbents

• UWV: UWV is the Dutch government employee insurance and employment services agency that funds and oversees much of the participation and disability-benefit framework Drechtwerk executes under, making it the public-sector incumbent governing the addressable market.
• Randstad: Randstad is the Dutch-founded global staffing and HR services leader, overlapping with Drechtwerk's detachment and Begeleid Werken offerings but operating at vastly greater scale and without the sheltered-employment social mission.
• ManpowerGroup: ManpowerGroup is a global workforce solutions and staffing company that competes for the same Dutch employer detachment and outsourcing budgets as Drechtwerk, but without social-mission or Participatiewet mandate integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/drechtwerk-werkleerbedrijf
• Xx.com/drechtwerk
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Drechtwerk