Cooperative of workshops for disabled people Mitte

What Cooperative of workshops for disabled people Mitte does

GDW Mitte eG (Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Mitte eG) is a German cooperative founded in 1995 and headquartered in Kassel that serves as the central coordination point for a nationwide network of 682 workshops for disabled people (Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen) employing more than 310,000 workers. The cooperative acts as a single point of contact for enterprise clients, receiving inquiries, planning, consulting, and routing execution to member workshops across Germany. Its service portfolio spans contract packaging, kitting and co-packing, contract filling (Lohnabfüllung) in HACCP- and organic-certified facilities, fulfillment and shipping with ERP/Warenwirtschaftssystem integration, office and mail processing, large-format and offset digital printing (via USE PrintingHouse in Berlin with Konica Minolta LED-UV equipment), digitization and document management (scanning, PDF/A archiving, indexing), secure data-carrier and document destruction, electronic-waste recycling compliant with ElektroG, and — through partnerships with tegut and Faber Infrastructure — zero-waste retail stores and E-Scooter service centers.

The cooperative earns revenue through quote-based, project-specific contracts billed per service or per unit, with customers spanning large German enterprises in banking, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive, manufacturing, food and beverage, and municipal government, as well as startups and SMEs requiring flexible capacity. A structural commercial advantage comes from Germany's Ausgleichsabgabe framework, under which private and public employers with 20 or more employees who fail to meet the 5% severe-disability employment quota can offset up to 50% of workshop labor invoice amounts against their statutory disability-employment levy, creating a durable financial pull for GDW's services. The cooperative is governed by a five-member Vorstand (Stefan Werner as Geschäftsführender Vorstand, plus Michael Kunze, Jürgen Müller, Steffen Pohl, Thomas Schilder, and Christian Walther) and a supervisory Aufsichtsrat chaired by Oliver Pick, and is audited by Genoverband under the German Cooperative Act.

Name

Cooperative of workshops for disabled people Mitte

Legal name

Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Mitte eG

Website

https://gdw-mitte.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GDW Mitte eG is a Kassel-based cooperative founded in 1995 that coordinates a nationwide German network of 682 workshops for disabled people, providing enterprise clients with contract packaging, kitting, contract filling, fulfillment, digitization, and document-management services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kassel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Lohnverpackung und Konfektionierung (Contract Packaging and Kitting): The organization coordinates packaging, kitting, co-packing, and filling services (Lohnabfüllung) performed by workers with disabilities across its workshop network. Services include blister packaging, shrink-wrapping, sleeving, banding, labeling, coding, display stocking, and return handling. Revenue is generated through per-project or per-unit billing for enterprise clients requiring high-volume, labor-intensive packaging operations.
2. Digitalisierung und Aktenvernichtung (Digitization and Secure Destruction): Document digitization services including scanning, indexing, and archiving of personnel files, contracts, and records. Secure destruction of documents and data carriers. Services provided through member workshops and the Pro Dokument integration company.
3. Fulfillment and Versand (Fulfillment and Shipping): End-to-end fulfillment services including warehouse management, order picking, kitting, packaging, and shipping (250–500 orders/day for key clients). Includes integration with client ERP/Warenwirtschaftssystem.
4. Lohnabfüllung (Contract Filling): Contract filling of dry goods, beverages, spices, and food products in certified facilities (HACCP, organic-certified). Includes food-grade filling of cultures such as kefir crystals.
5. Fort- und Weiterbildung (Training Services): GDW serves as organizer of continuing education and training programs (Fortbildungs- und Weiterbildungsmaßnahmen) for workshops for disabled people and integration enterprises.
6. Ausgleichsabgabe-Anrechnung (Compensation Levy Offset): Companies that do not meet disability employment quotas can offset 50% of the invoice amount attributable to workshop labor against their mandatory Ausgleichsabgabe (disability levy), creating a financial incentive for clients to engage GDW member workshops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GDW Mitte eG is a German cooperative (Genossenschaft) acting as the single point of contact for a nationwide network of 682 workshops for disabled people, coordinating contract packaging, kitting, co-packing, contract filling of food and dry goods, end-to-end fulfillment and shipping, document digitization and secure destruction, e-waste recycling, and digital printing services for enterprise clients.

Product overview

GDW Mitte eG is a nationwide network cooperative of workshops for disabled people (Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen) offering a comprehensive portfolio of contract manufacturing and business process outsourcing services. The core offering centers on packaging and confectioning, contract filling, fulfillment and shipping, and office/document services — all delivered by people with disabilities across 682 affiliated workshops and over 310,000 employees. The portfolio spans distinct service lines including Konfektionierung, Verpackung, Lohnabfüllung, Fulfillment & Versand, Digitalisierung & Aktenvernichtung, Bürodienstleistung, Druckdienstleistungen (USE PrintingHouse), Elektro-Altgeräte-Recycling, and Unverpackt-Läden (zero-waste retail). The cooperative acts as a single point of contact coordinating work across the network for corporate clients, and also organizes professional training programs for member workshops.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Konfektionierung (Kitting and Assembly)
• Verpackung (Contract Packaging)
• Lohnabfüllung (Contract Filling)
• Fulfillment & Versand (Fulfillment and Shipping)
• Digitalisierung & Aktenvernichtung (Document Digitization and Secure Destruction)
• Bürodienstleistung (Office Services)
• Druckdienstleistungen (Printing Services via USE PrintingHouse)
• Elektro-Altgeräte-Recycling (Electronic Waste Recycling)
• Unverpackt-Läden (Zero-Waste Retail Stores)
• Fortbildungsangebote (Continuing Education Programs)

Quantifiable outcome

• Weekly document disposal from 887 bank branches nationwide with eco-friendly recycling
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Faber Infrastructure GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2019E-Scooter Center 'faber e-drive C' opened at MarketingCenter 2 of reha gmbh on Saarterrassen. GDW member workshop reha gmbh handles sales, distribution, and maintenance of Faber E-Scooters throughout Saarland. A unique nationwide project combining e-mobility with inclusion of people with disabilities.
• Fairment GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner5+ year partnership with food startup Fairment. Delphin-Werkstätten Berlin handles fulfillment, food filling, kitting, and daily shipping of 250–500 orders. The startup has grown alongside the workshop partnership, crediting GDW workshops for survival during COVID-19 crisis with 100% reliability including weekend special shifts.
• Pro Dokument gGmbH (Kasseler Werkstätten)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegration company of Kasseler Werkstätten performing document digitization. Within a project with Evangelische Bank, Pro Dokument digitized personnel files. Also performed digitization of KASSELWASSER contract archives (~2,000 files). Key partner for digitization services.
• Creform Technik GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloped and installed a state-of-the-art empty container sorting system at Baunataler Werkstätten (bdks). System enables ergonomic sorting of ~260,000 crates per year for Hütt-Brauerei with significantly reduced physical strain on workers with disabilities.
• Hütt-BrauereiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual contract for empty crate sorting (~260,000/year), 6-pack packaging, and display building at Baunataler Werkstätten. Working relationship praised for continuous process improvement and positive future outlook.
• PPE Germany GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContract manufacturer for FFP2 mask kitting and packaging at Caritas-Werkstatt St. Johannesberg Oranienburg. Tens of thousands of masks packaged daily in cleanroom environment for PPE Germany GmbH.
• tegutminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Lebensmittelhändler tegut for the operation of zero-waste stores ('Lädchen für alles') operated by BWMK. Fifth location opened in Hann. Münden. Stores combine food retail with inclusive employment.
• FachPack (Messe Nürnberg)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual trade show partnership. GDW has been exhibitor at FachPack in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025 as a key marketing and lead generation channel for packaging and fulfillment services.
• deGUT (Deutsche Gründer- und Unternehmertage)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint exhibitor with Delphin-Werkstätten Berlin at Germany's leading startup trade show (Arena Berlin) in 2020–2023. GDW is part of the deGUT advisor network, providing fulfillment consultation to startups.
• Werkstätten:MesseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVirtual exhibition in 2021 with presentations on 'Fulfillment im Verbund' and 'Unverpackt-Läden' topics. Part of Germany's largest trade fair for workshops for disabled people.
• Socialwerk St. Georg e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDW member workshop. Collaboration with FC Schalke 04 for sensory bag development and employee placement at Arena Management GmbH. Also performs sorting and kitting operations (tree ties for Hohage, filter mats for CNC Cut, E-Scooter operations).
• FC Schalke 04minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusivity partnership for stadium operations. Socialwerk St. Georg employees placed at Arena Management for catering and logistics. Joint development of 'Sensory Bags' for accessible stadium experiences.
• CleanbraceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStartup developing disinfectant bracelets. Wittekindshofer Werkstätten (Wittekindshof) performs kitting and packaging of refill packs and packaging materials. COVID-responsive partnership demonstrating inclusion of disabled workers in pandemic response.
• Hessisches Ministerium des Innern und für SportminorOthersCrisis response partnership. GDW coordinated packaging of 10,000 food relief packages for Ukraine through BWMK Reha-Werkstatt Bad Soden-Salmünster, coordinated by the Hessian Ministry of the Interior's crisis logistics team.
• Ökumenisches Gemeinschaftswerk Pfalz GmbHminorOthersNew GDW cooperative member as of 2024. 1,800 people with disabilities employed across its workshops in Rhineland-Palatinate. Offers diverse services including mail processing, welding, sorting, and IT work.
• FSD Lwerk Berlin Brandenburg gemeinnützige GmbHminorOthersNew GDW cooperative member as of 2024. Social craft and service company operating a recognized workshop for disabled people, therapeutic housing, and integration employment services.
• Gebrauchtwarenzentren Eschwege und WitzenhausenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollection centers for second-hand goods and e-waste in Eschwege and Witzenhausen. Collected 35–43 tonnes of e-waste annually. Functional devices sold with 6-month warranty; non-functional devices sent to Caldener Werkstätten for dismantling and recycling.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lebenshilfe Werkstätten: Lebenshilfe is one of Germany's largest social-services organizations, operating a federation of Werkstätten that deliver contract packaging, kitting, and employment services for people with disabilities. Operates the same legal and regulatory framework (Ausgleichsabgabe) and competes for the same enterprise contracts.
• Caritas Werkstätten: The Catholic-affiliated counterpart to the Werkstätten system, running its own nationwide network of workshops for disabled people under the same SGB IX / Ausgleichsabgabe regime. Competes with GDW for enterprise contract-packaging and fulfillment work, often differentiated by regional presence and religious-affiliated employer branding.
• BAG WfbM (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen e.V.): The federal umbrella association of all German Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen. BAG WfbM advocates for the workshop system at the federal level and coordinates policy around the Ausgleichsabgabe — directly comparable to GDW Mitte eG as a representative/coordinating organization for the same population of disability workshops.
• BWMK (Behinderten-Werk Main-Kinzig e.V.): A major regional Werkstatt that is itself a GDW network member but also markets contract services (printing, packaging, zero-waste retail with tegut) directly. Comparable in service offering and target customer, though geographically concentrated in Hessen.
• Diakonie Werkstätten: Protestant-affiliated counterpart operating a parallel nationwide federation of disability workshops under the same Ausgleichsabgabe regulatory framework. Competes head-to-head with GDW for enterprise contracts across packaging, digitization, and document destruction services.

Broad incumbents

• Coexya (France): A major European provider of contract packaging, co-packing, and industrial subcontracting services to enterprise clients. Comparable core offering (contract packaging, kitting, fulfillment) but without the social-employment mission; serves as a conventional incumbent whose pricing GDW must compete with on cost.

Regional players

• 's Heeren Loo (Netherlands): Major Dutch care and supported-employment provider operating work-places for people with disabilities, including contract assembly and packaging operations. Comparable mission (disability employment via sheltered work) and comparable regulatory ecosystem, but operating in a different geography.
• ADAPEI (France): France's largest federation of disability associations running sheltered workshops (ESAT) that deliver contract manufacturing, packaging, and subcontracting services. Operates under a comparable French regulatory framework (OETH AGEFIPH) with similar social-employment mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Cooperative of workshops for disabled people Mitte