WFBM
WFBM is a non-profit gGmbH in East Frisia, Germany, operating 18 locations that deliver sheltered employment, residential care, and social participation services to over 500 people with disabilities, funded primarily by government social insurance with supplemental contract manufacturing and retail revenue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1962
- HeadquartersAurich, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What WFBM does
WFBM (Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen – workshops for people with disabilities) is a non-profit social services organization headquartered in Aurich, East Frisia, Germany, that provides an integrated suite of housing, employment, and care services for people with disabilities. Founded in 1962 and operating under the legal form of a gGmbH (gemeinnützige Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, i.e., a charitable limited liability company), the organization is part of the Lebenshilfe Aurich-Wittmund network, which is structured as a holding company (Lebenshilfe Aurich-Wittmund Holding gGmbH) with affiliated operating entities including wfbm Aurich-Wittmund gGmbH and w.i.r. gGmbH. The organization delivers its services through 18 physical locations spanning the districts of Aurich and Wittmund, serving over 500 residents in long-term care arrangements and an additional cohort of workshop participants.
The service portfolio is organized into three pillars: (1) participation in working life (Teilhabe am Arbeitsleben) through sheltered workshops offering vocational training and contract manufacturing services such as cable assembly (Kabelkonfektion) and food production; (2) housing and living arrangements (Besondere Wohnformen), outpatient assistance (Ambulante Assistenzleistungen), and child, youth, and family support services (Kinder-, Jugend- & Familienhilfe); and (3) public-facing retail operations including five sub-brands — Moor5 (café/restaurant in Wiesmoor), Pütt (café), nah&frisch (grocery), fairfactum (fair-trade shop), and Floristik (florist). The organization's technology stack is not a software or platform offering; it is a service-delivery organization whose principal assets are physical facilities, trained care staff, and contractual relationships with government payers and industrial clients.
WFBM's revenue is derived primarily from publicly funded social services — including reimbursements from the German social security system, disability insurance funds, and municipal authorities — supplemented by income from contract manufacturing for industrial customers (most notably ENERCON, a major German wind turbine manufacturer) and consumer-facing retail revenue from its cafés and shops. The organization markets through a local website (wirsindwfbm.de), Instagram, and Facebook, and pursues manufacturing partnerships through direct sales outreach. It is not a venture-backed or publicly listed entity, and operates as a regional, community-anchored non-profit with no disclosed expansion beyond the Aurich-Wittmund catchment area.
WFBM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WFBM
- Legal name
- wfbm Aurich-Wittmund gGmbH
- Website
- https://wfbm-aurich-wittmund.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1962
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- WFBM is a non-profit gGmbH in East Frisia, Germany, operating 18 locations that deliver sheltered employment, residential care, and social participation services to over 500 people with disabilities, funded primarily by government social insurance with supplemental contract manufacturing and retail revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WFBM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Social Services and Sheltered Employment
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
Keywords
Where WFBM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aurich
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
WFBM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government-funded disability services: Publicly funded social services for people with disabilities, including sheltered employment (Werkstätten für Menschen mit Behinderung), residential care, and social participation programs. Revenue derived from government contracts and social security funding.
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
WFBM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WFBM (Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Aurich-Wittmund gGmbH) delivers sheltered employment, vocational training, residential care, and social participation services for people with disabilities across 18 locations in the Aurich and Wittmund districts of East Frisia, Germany. It also operates contract manufacturing (cable assembly, food production) for industrial and craft clients and runs five public-facing retail outlets (cafés, a grocery, a fair-trade shop, and a florist). Services are primarily publicly funded through German social security and disability insurance programs.
Product overview
WFBM (Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen – workshops for people with disabilities) is a social services organization operated by Lebenshilfe Aurich-Wittmund. The organization offers a portfolio of services organized into three main pillars: (1) vocational workshops and employment services for people with disabilities, offering cable assembly and manufacturing services; (2) residential and assistance services including special living arrangements, outpatient support, and family services; and (3) retail operations including five cafés/shops (Moor5, Pütt, nah&frisch, fairfactum, and Floristik). The organization serves over 500 people across 18 locations in the Aurich and Wittmund districts of East Frisia, Germany, combining vocational training, residential care, and social inclusion programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Moor5: Café and breakfast location in Wiesmoor offering East Frisian breakfast and homemade delicacies.
- Pütt
- nah&frisch
- fairfactum
- Floristik
Products and services
- Werkstätten für Menschen mit Behinderung (WfbM) Sheltered vocational workshops providing meaningful employment and professional training for people with disabilities, including cable assembly (Kabelkonfektion) and food production.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 500 people live in their facilities, some for over 20 years
Companies that use WFBM
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
WFBM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
WFBM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ENERCONminorENERCON is shown as a partner in the 'Unsere Partner' (Our Partners) section. ENERCON is a major wind turbine manufacturer based in Germany. The partnership likely involves manufacturing services provided by the sheltered workshop, such as component assembly or cable manufacturing.
Scale indicators2 records
WFBM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lebenshilfe (Bundesvereinigung): National umbrella federation for disability services in Germany, of which Lebenshilfe Aurich-Wittmund is an affiliated local chapter. Directly comparable parent/peer network operating WfbM workshops, residential care, and family services across all federal states.
- Caritas Deutschland: Major Catholic welfare association operating sheltered workshops, residential care, and social services for people with disabilities across Germany. Directly comparable in funding model and integrated service delivery.
- Diakonie Deutschland: Largest German welfare confederation providing disability services, sheltered workshops, and care facilities nationwide. Comparable mission, funding mix (government + church), and service portfolio to WFBM.
- AWO Arbeiterwohlfahrt: Major German welfare organization providing disability services, sheltered employment, and care facilities. Comparable non-profit operator with government-funded service model similar to WFBM.
Direct peers
- Stiftung ICP München: Munich-based foundation operating residential facilities, workshops, and therapeutic services for people with physical and multiple disabilities. Closely comparable integrated workshop + residential model with government funding.
- Lebenshilfe Werkstätten Frankfurt: Frankfurt-based Lebenshilfe workshop operator providing sheltered employment and vocational training for people with disabilities. Direct comparable within the same Lebenshilfe network serving a different region.
- Lebenshilfe Wittmund (local network): Local Lebenshilfe chapter in the Wittmund district, organizationally adjacent to WFBM under the same parent Lebenshilfe Aurich-Wittmund Holding gGmbH. Provides directly comparable disability services in the same operating geography.
- Gelsenkirchener Werkstätten: Sheltered workshop operator in North Rhine-Westphalia providing vocational training and employment for people with disabilities. Comparable WfbM business model with contract manufacturing and government funding.
- Von-Vincke-Schule / Diakonie Werkstätten: Diakonie-affiliated sheltered workshops across Germany providing WfbM-equivalent vocational services and contract manufacturing for people with disabilities. Direct comparable in funding and service structure.
Others
- Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Werkstätten (BAG WfbM): National association representing German sheltered workshops (WfbM). Comparable institutional context, though as an umbrella body rather than direct service operator; useful for benchmarking peer WFBM operating models.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WFBM social profiles
Digital presenceWFBM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WFBM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
WFBM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WFBM 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 WFBM
What does WFBM do?
WFBM (Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Aurich-Wittmund gGmbH) delivers sheltered employment, vocational training, residential care, and social participation services for people with disabilities across 18 locations in the Aurich and Wittmund districts of East Frisia, Germany. It also operates contract manufacturing (cable assembly, food production) for industrial and craft clients and runs five public-facing retail outlets (cafés, a grocery, a fair-trade shop, and a florist). Services are primarily publicly funded through German social security and disability insurance programs.
Is WFBM a public or private company?
WFBM is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was WFBM founded?
WFBM was founded in 1962. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is WFBM based?
WFBM is headquartered in Aurich, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does WFBM make money?
One revenue line is on record: government-funded disability services.
Who are WFBM's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lebenshilfe (Bundesvereinigung), Caritas Deutschland, Diakonie Deutschland and AWO Arbeiterwohlfahrt. Direct peers are Stiftung ICP München, Lebenshilfe Werkstätten Frankfurt, Lebenshilfe Wittmund (local network), Gelsenkirchener Werkstätten and Von-Vincke-Schule / Diakonie Werkstätten. Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Werkstätten (BAG WfbM) is listed as an others.
Does WFBM have an API?
No public API is recorded for WFBM.
What industry is WFBM in?
WFBM's product category is Disability Social Services and Sheltered Employment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAJ, Employment & Job Readiness Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 8050.