Iserlohner Werkstätten

What Iserlohner Werkstätten does

Iserlohner Werkstätten gGmbH is a non-profit sheltered workshop (Werkstatt für Menschen mit Behinderung, WfbM) headquartered in Iserlohn, Germany, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diakonie Mark-Ruhr gGmbH. Founded in 1976, the organization provides vocational training, employment, and integration services to approximately 1,000 people with disabilities — including intellectual, physical, severe multiple, and autism spectrum disabilities — across five locations in Iserlohn, Hemer, Menden, and Schwerte. Its service portfolio spans four core B2B lines (Elektromontage, Büro Service, Wäscherei, and Systemlieferant), supported-employment services through ausgelagerte Arbeitsplätze (currently 160+ integrated positions across 49+ partner companies), and specialized support offerings including TASA day-structuring, BAPP intensive work assistance, and Berufliche Bildung vocational training. Wholly-owned subsidiary Pro-Integration gGmbH operates an inclusion company (Inklusionsbetrieb) on the primary labor market in Hagen-Hohenlimburg and Menden, with horticulture, carpentry, pallet production, and BEMO industrial-assembly divisions.

The organization operates a proprietary 5G Standalone campus network (live since March 2022) — one of the first deployments at a German WfbM — and has deployed 15 Pick-by-Light work-assistance systems and 9 Sawyer collaborative robots across its locations, supported by €900,000 from Stiftung Wohlfahrtspflege NRW and €587,000 from the NRW state. The 12,000 m² Karree38 facility, opened in 2020 with a ~€4M investment, functions as a multi-tenant inclusion hub co-housing educational and cultural partners.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining social-assistance/trust funding for WfbM services, public subsidies supporting Inklusionsbetrieb operations, commercial B2B contract revenue from regional industrial and hospitality customers, and public-procurement contracts (e.g., municipal grounds maintenance with SIH). GTM is field-sales-led, anchored by regional economic partnerships, career-fair participation, and community events. Certifications include DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and AZAV, and the organization reports to Managing Director Claudia Salterberg following a new leadership duo appointment in July 2024.

Name

Iserlohner Werkstätten

Legal name

Iserlohner Werkstätten gGmbH

Website

https://iswe.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Iserlohner Werkstätten is a non-profit sheltered workshop (WfbM) in Iserlohn, Germany, providing vocational training, employment, and supported integration services to approximately 1,000 people with disabilities across five regional locations, alongside commercial B2B services and an inclusion-company subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation and Disability Employment Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Support Services & Case Management (Coaching, Wraparound) (EDAAAOAK), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM)

Keywords

• Sheltered workshop services
• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Disability employment services
• Industrial assembly services
• Supported employment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Iserlohn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Workshop Services for People with Disabilities: Core funding through social assistance/trust funding (Sozialhilfe/trusteeschaftliche Finanzierung) for providing vocational training, employment and support services to people with disabilities who cannot, not yet, or not again independently integrate into the general labor market.
2. Commercial B2B Services: Fee-for-service commercial operations including electrical assembly (Elektromontage), office services (Büro Service), laundry services (Wäscherei), and system supplier services to private and commercial customers in the regional economy.
3. External Workplace Integration Services: Provision of integrated employees to partner companies. Companies receive support through 'Budget für Arbeit' subsidies and integration specialists accompany employees. Companies benefit from inclusive employment while ISWE receives public funding support.
4. Pro-Integration Inklusionsbetrieb: Pro-Integration gGmbH operates as an inclusion company on the primary labor market with economic objectives, providing employment to people with disabilities. Receives public support to compensate for operational disadvantages from special workforce composition.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Iserlohner Werkstätten is a non-profit sheltered workshop (WfbM) providing vocational training, supported employment, and integration into the primary labor market for people with disabilities. It delivers commercial services through four core work areas — Elektromontage, Büro Service, Wäscherei, and Systemlieferant — alongside external workplace placements at regional partner companies. Subsidiary Pro-Integration gGmbH operates inclusion enterprises in pallet production, carpentry, gardening, and industrial assembly on the primary labor market.

Product overview

Iserlohner Werkstätten is a sheltered workshop organization (Werkstatt für Menschen mit Behinderung) providing vocational rehabilitation and employment for people with disabilities. The organization offers a unified portfolio of work integration services built around three core service areas: (1) work area services including Elektromontage, Büro Service, Wäscherei, and Systemlieferant; (2) supported employment through ausgelagerte Arbeitsplätze (group and individual external workplaces); and (3) specialized support services including Berufliche Bildung, TASA, BAPP, and Besondere Begleitung for people with higher support needs. The organization operates through multiple locations including Karree38 (multi-tenant building), Werkstatt Iserlohn, Werkstatt Langer Brauck, Pastor-Horstmann-Werkstatt Hemer, Technischer Industrieservice Menden, and the external workplace Bahnsteig 42. Subsidiary Pro-Integration gGmbH operates inclusion enterprises on the primary labor market. The organization has invested in digital assistance systems and 5G technology for workplace innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Karree38: Multi-tenant innovation and inclusion center at Vödeweg 9-11, Iserlohn. Houses Iserlohner Werkstätten operations along with partner organizations including Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie (DAA), maxQ Physiotherapy School, and Kunstverein Iserlohn. Concept: 'Inklusion andersherum' (inclusion the other way around).
• Bahnsteig 42
• Café Weitblick

Products and services

• Elektromontage Professional electrical assembly services delivered at VDE-certified manufacturing facilities at multiple ISWE locations. Services include assembly, testing, documentation, commissioning, and logistics for electronics components and lighting products, executed with support from Pick-by-Light and collaborative robots.
• Büro Service Office services including lettershop operations recommended by Deutsche Post AG and marketing materials logistics. Handles mailing, warehousing, and manpower for promotional material logistics for private and commercial customers.
• Wäscherei Laundry services for private and commercial customers including hotels and gastronomy. Services include washing, starching, ironing, mangling, and delivery/pickup services, operated at Werkstatt Langer Brauck and Pastor-Horstmann-Werkstatt Hemer.
• Systemlieferant System supplier services providing complete supply chain solutions for industrial customers.
• Ausgelagerte Arbeitsplätze Outsourced workplace placement services providing group external workplaces (Gruppenaußenarbeitsplätze, approximately 12 people with integration support) and individual external workplaces (Einzelarbeitsplätze) in partner companies across the Iserlohn, Menden, Hemer, and Schwerte area.
• TASA (Tagesstruktur) Day structuring services for people with disabilities who exhibit aggressive behaviors or have chronic psychotic illnesses. Provides intensive assistance, personalized daily structures, and multiprofessional team support.
• BAPP (Bereich für intensive Arbeitsassistenz, -pädagogik und Pflege) Intensive work assistance, pedagogy, and care services for people with severe disabilities including intellectual disabilities, physical handicaps, multiple severe disabilities, intensive care needs, and autism spectrum disorders.
• Besondere Begleitung Individual support services for people with disabilities with reduced work capacity or resilience. Focuses on maintaining, rebuilding, and developing work abilities and personality traits.
• Berufliche Bildung (Berufsbildungsbereich) Vocational training and education services helping people with disabilities explore career options, assess abilities, and prepare for work in workshop settings or the general labor market.
• Pro-Integration gGmbH (Inklusionsbetrieb) Inclusion company providing work on the primary labor market for people with disabilities. Operates divisions including special pallet production, carpentry, gardening, BEMO (industrial assembly/lighting), and logistics. Acquired by Iserlohner Werkstätten in 2019.
• Bahnsteig 42 Café and bistro operation at Letmathe train station serving as an external workplace for people with disabilities. A special project allows employees with disabilities to take weekly leadership of the café operations. Celebrated 10th anniversary in 2025.
• Café Weitblick Café operated in Karree38 offering information events and networking opportunities for people with migration backgrounds and those seeking career guidance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 16 people with disabilities successfully integrated into primary labor market since 2008 through project Chance 20plus
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 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 minor and core.

• Jobcenter MKminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cooperation partner for Café Weitblick information events targeting people with migration background, providing job center support information alongside DAA and ISWE.
• SIH (Stadtbetrieb Iserlohn Hemer)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Public city operating company engaged Pro-Integration through competitive bidding to provide grounds maintenance services at 10 Iserlohn schools, employing people with and without disabilities.
• Gesellschaft für Bildung und Beruf e.V. (GBB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Project partner in '5G Inklusion 4.0' initiative developing 5G campus network for digital assistance systems at ISWE. Co-developing applications for inclusive digital workplaces.
• University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Academic partner in 5G Inklusion 4.0 research project. Professor Dr. Erich Behrendt leads research on digital transformation and leadership applications.
• Pro-Integration gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2019ISWE acquired the business shares of Pro-Integration gGmbH in November 2019. Pro-Integration operates as an inclusion company (Inklusionsbetrieb) on the primary labor market, providing employment to people with disabilities in Hagen-Hohenlimburg (gardening, carpentry, pallet production) and Menden (lighting assembly). The acquisition enables expansion of inclusion employment opportunities.
• Förderverein Pro Integration e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2019Long-term partnership with the founding association that established Pro-Integration in 1982. Continues to support the inclusion company alongside C.D. Wälzholz through donations and sponsorship.
• DAA - Deutsche Angestellten-Akademie GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2019Tenant in Karree38 since January 2020. Also operates DAA Pflegeschule Iserlohn starting 2022 for nursing education. Provides educational services that complement ISWE's vocational training offerings.
• maxQ. Schule für PhysiotherapieminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Tenant in Karree38 facility since 2019. Physiotherapy school relocated to occupy 600+ square meters of space in second floor of the building.
• Springtec Schrimpf & Schöneberg GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994One of Iserlohn's largest inclusive employers since 1994. Currently employs 16 workers with disabilities out of 92 total employees. Five employees transitioned from ISWE to regular employment through this partnership.
• C.D. WälzholzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner company providing workshop space at Hagen-Hohenlimburg facility and commissioning pallet manufacturing. Co-founded Pro-Integration and continues to support through contracts and donations.
• Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL)coreOthersLWL Integration Office provides information on 'Budget für Arbeit' funding opportunities for companies hiring people with disabilities. Also provides integration support through Integration Fachdienst (IFD).
• Jobcenter Märkischer KreisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project under Teilhabechancengesetzt (THCG) providing supported employment for 12 long-term unemployed individuals at ISWE with pathway to regular employment.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Largest international nonprofit social enterprise providing employment and training for people with disabilities and other barriers. Comparable mission (employment for disadvantaged populations) and revenue model (combination of public funding, commercial services, and donations), though operating under US rather than German social-law framework.

Direct peers

• Caritas Werkstätten: Network of Caritas-affiliated sheltered workshops across Germany providing vocational rehabilitation and employment for people with disabilities. Comparable as a parallel nonprofit sheltered-workshop system to ISWE, supported by similar public welfare funding.
• AWO Werkstätten: Workers' Welfare Association operates regional sheltered workshops across Germany offering WfbM services, vocational training, and external workplace placements. Comparable as a welfare-association-affiliated peer offering the same inclusion-employment service mix.
• Werkstatt Bremen: Municipal sheltered workshop organization in Bremen offering vocational training, workshop employment, and external workplace integration. Comparable as a multi-site WfbM with both sheltered workshop and inclusion-enterprise components serving people with disabilities.
• Lebenshilfe Werkstätten: National network of Lebenshilfe-affiliated sheltered workshops serving primarily people with intellectual disabilities. Directly comparable mission, funding model (Sozialhilfe), and service portfolio (vocational training, workshop employment, external placements).
• Diakonie Werkstätten (Diakonie Deutschland network): Umbrella organization for Diakonie-affiliated sheltered workshops nationwide; ISWE itself sits within this network via Diakonie Mark-Ruhr. Peer organizations follow the same faith-based, Diakonie-branded operating model, funding mix, and inclusion-employment mission.
• Hephata Werkstätten: Diakonie-affiliated social enterprise operating sheltered workshops in the Mönchengladbach/Südhessen region. Comparable as a multi-location WfbM providing vocational rehabilitation, workshop areas, and external workplace integration under the same German social-law model.
• Bodelschwingh Werkstätten (von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel): One of Germany's largest sheltered workshop (WfbM) networks, operated by the Bethel foundation in Bielefeld/NRW. Directly comparable as a multi-site WfbM offering vocational training, workshop areas, and external workplace positions for people with disabilities under the same §215 SGB IX framework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 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 Iserlohner Werkstätten