SAZ Burgdorf

What SAZ Burgdorf does

SAZ Burgdorf is a non-profit foundation (Stiftung) established in 1970 and headquartered in Burgdorf, Canton of Bern, Switzerland. The institution provides an integrated portfolio of services for people with recognized disabilities, operating across three pillars: learning (Berufsbildung with EFZ, EBA, and PrA vocational tracks, plus the BVS Heilpädagogische Schule for ages 4-18), working (Arbeit & Beschäftigung, including sheltered workshops and day facilities), and living (Wohnformen ranging from assisted living to residential groups and age-appropriate housing). It is a recognized institution co-financed by the Canton of Bern under the Swiss disability insurance (IV) framework, with over 100 employees working in the Ausrüsterei (equipment and packaging) department alone, supported by a network of 30+ named B2B partners including Rondo, Ypsomed, ProAmpac, Alloga, and Kuso AG.

Beyond its social services mandate, SAZ Burgdorf operates as a production and services enterprise, offering contract manufacturing in metalworking, mechanical processing with CNC machining centers, metal construction, assembly, packaging, and facility maintenance to regional companies. The organization also provides Externe Einsätze (external deployment) services that place workers directly into partner company premises with ongoing job coaching. A direct-to-consumer e-commerce webshop (shop.sazburgdorf.ch) sells regionally sourced firewood and Swiss-made Schwingbesen whisks, with delivery within a 14km radius of Burgdorf. The institution generates revenue through three streams: recurring cantonal government subsidies tied to its statutory mandate, B2B contract revenue from commercial customers, and one-time retail product sales. Its go-to-market combines direct intake from IV referral networks, dedicated enterprise field sales (Kundenberater) for B2B contracts, and event-driven engagement through the annual IBBM Inclusive Vocational Training Fair in Burgdorf.

Name

SAZ Burgdorf

Legal name

SAZ Burgdorf - Schulungs- und Arbeitszentrum für Behinderte Burgdorf

Website

https://sazburgdorf.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SAZ Burgdorf is a Swiss non-profit foundation providing integrated vocational training, sheltered employment, and residential care for people with disabilities in the Canton of Bern, supplemented by B2B contract manufacturing and a regional firewood/whisks webshop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services and Vocational Rehabilitation

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Specialty Trade Contractors (238)

SIC

Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Structural Steel Welding & Erection-Focused Training (EDAOADAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sheet Metal & Ductwork Fabrication/Installation (EDAOACAH)

Keywords

• Disability vocational training
• Sheltered employment services
• Residential care facilities
• Contract manufacturing services
• Special education school

Headquarters

HQ city

Burgdorf

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cantonal government financing (IV subsidies): As a recognized institution co-financed by the Canton of Bern, SAZ Burgdorf receives ongoing public subsidies tied to its mandate of supporting people with recognized disability-related support needs. This represents the core institutional funding.
2. B2B industrial and service contracts: SAZ Burgdorf operates as a production and services enterprise, performing contract work for regional companies in metalworking, mechanical processing, metal construction, assembly, equipment and packaging, and facility maintenance. These commercial contracts generate revenue while providing meaningful work for clients. Key partners include Rondo, ProAmpac, Alloga, Ypsomed, ABC Cards, and many other regional firms.
3. Direct-to-consumer product sales (webshop): SAZ Burgdorf operates an e-commerce webshop (shop.sazburgdorf.ch) selling firewood (Brennholz) and Swiss-made whisks (Schwingbesen). Products are sold online with delivery or customer pickup options, generating direct retail revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SAZ Burgdorf is a recognized Swiss non-profit foundation providing integrated vocational training (EFZ, EBA, PrA), adapted workplaces and sheltered employment, and supported housing (Wohnformen) for people with recognized disabilities. It also operates as a commercial production and service business, offering metalworking, mechanical processing (CNC), assembly, packaging, property maintenance, and external deployment services to regional companies, alongside an e-commerce webshop selling firewood and Swiss-made whisks.

Product overview

SAZ Burgdorf is a social services organization offering an integrated portfolio of services for people with disabilities. The core offerings include professional education and training (Berufliche Ausbildung), adapted workplaces and employment (Arbeit & Beschäftigung), and various housing arrangements (Wohnformen) such as assisted living, shared apartments, and residential groups. The organization also operates a special education school for children aged 4-18. In addition to social services, SAZ Burgdorf operates as a production and service business offering mechanical processing, metal construction, assembly, and packaging services to regional companies. The organization maintains a Webshop selling retail products including firewood (Brennholz) in various forms and Swiss-made whisks (Schwingbesen) in multiple sizes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bistro Mely: Bistro service operated by SAZ Burgdorf
• Besondere Volksschule Unteres Emmental (BVS)

Products and services

• Berufliche Ausbildung (Professional Education and Vocational Training) Vocational training programs (EFZ, EBA, PrA) providing suitable apprenticeship positions for people with disabilities, guiding them into the working world. Includes trial internships and career exploration days.
• Arbeit & Beschäftigung (Sheltered Work and Employment) Adapted workplaces, work ateliers, and day facilities for people with disabilities. Includes work integration programs, infrastructure and gastronomy services, and free workplace placements.
• Wohnformen (Residential Living Arrangements) Various housing options for people with disabilities including assisted living (Wohnen mit Assistenz), shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaften), residential groups (Wohngruppen) with 5-9 persons each, and age-appropriate living. Four Wohngruppen are located in the main Burgdorf building and one in Ersigen.
• Heilpädagogische Schule (Special Education School) Special education school teaching children and youth aged 4 to 18 years with disabilities, operating as Besondere Volksschule Unteres Emmental (BVS).
• Mechanische Bearbeitung (Mechanical Processing / CNC Machining) Mechanical processing with modern CNC machining centers producing machine components in small and medium series, including complete production from material procurement to finished product (e.g., Kuso-Ringe for Kuso AG).
• Montage (Assembly Services) Assembly services including electrical, partial, and final assembly, as well as plugging, screwing, pressing work, and complete series production for business customers.
• Metallbau (Metal Construction) Metal construction services including sawing, soldering, stamping, and welding in steel, stainless steel, or aluminum, producing products like bike stands, platforms, and canopies.
• Ausrüsten und Verpacken (Equipping and Packaging Services) Outfitting and packaging services for mass mailings, envelope assembly, labeling, and document processing for business customers. Operates an Ausrüsterei (equipment/packaging department) with over 100 workers.
• Externe Einsätze (External Deployment Services) External deployment services where SAZ Burgdorf employees work directly in partner companies, handling assembly, filling, sorting, or control work as well as logistics and shipping tasks with job coaching.
• Unterhalt Liegenschaften (Property Maintenance Services) Property maintenance services including lawn care, path and plaza cleaning, snow removal, and hedge and shrub trimming in the Burgdorf area for municipal and commercial customers.
• Brennholz (Firewood) Firewood from regional forests, including beech (Buche) and fir (Tanne) wood, dried for at least 2 years, sold in various forms including bags, crates (Harassen), and ster quantities, with delivery up to 14km from Burgdorf.
• Schwingbesen (Swiss-Made Whisks) Swiss-quality whisks made from aluminum or chrome steel, available in various sizes (200mm to 700mm), dishwasher safe, sold individually with optional custom laser engraving and color grips.
• Beratung & Vermittlung (Consulting & Placement) Internal counseling and placement services through the Fachstelle Angebote, Beratung und Vermittlung covering personal matters, leisure and vacation planning, financial questions, and social insurance queries, plus an internal prevention and reporting office (Interne Präventions- und Meldestelle).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 workers in the Ausrüsterei (equipment/packaging) department
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 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

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rondo AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationRondo AG is listed as a partner company for which SAZ Burgdorf performs contract manufacturing and industrial services. The partnership provides real work opportunities for SAZ clients while delivering production capacity to Rondo.
• ProAmpaccoreTechnology or IntegrationProAmpac is listed as a partner company, with SAZ Burgdorf providing packaging and contract manufacturing services as part of the partnership.
• Alloga AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationAlloga AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing logistics-related contract services.
• BORNER AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationBORNER AG is listed as a partner company, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• Kuso AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKuso AG manufactures machine components and SAZ Burgdorf produces the Kuso-Ringe (thread locking rings) for them as a key long-term supplier relationship. This is a named, reference partnership demonstrating SAZ's precision manufacturing capability.
• Lasatec AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationLasatec AG is listed as a partner company for which SAZ Burgdorf provides industrial and manufacturing services.
• HMH Systems AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationHMH Systems AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing contract manufacturing services.
• Banholzer AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationBanholzer AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• Ypsomed AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationYpsomed AG is listed as a partner company for which SAZ Burgdorf performs assembly and contract manufacturing services.
• ABC Cards AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationABC Cards AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing card manufacturing and related services.
• Blaser Swisslube AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationBlaser Swisslube AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• Gehrer AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationGehrer AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing manufacturing services.
• Aebi Schmidt GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationAebi Schmidt Group is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• IversLee Holding AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationIversLee Holding AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing contract manufacturing services.
• Stoecklin Logistics AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationStoecklin Logistics AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial and logistics services.
• Rotaver AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationRotaver AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• R. Peter AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationR. Peter AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• Rhomberg Sersa GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationRhomberg Sersa Group is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing services.
• mta robotics agcoreTechnology or Integrationmta robotics ag is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial and manufacturing services.
• Apotheke RysercoreTechnology or IntegrationApotheke Ryser is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing pharmacy-related services.
• Reseabiotec AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationReseabiotec AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• Meister AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationMeister AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing manufacturing services.
• Voegeli AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationVoegeli AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• JST-Multidrive AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationJST-Multidrive AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• Merkur Druck AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationMerkur Druck AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing printing-related industrial services.
• Licht + Raum AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationLicht + Raum AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• Wefocards AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationWefocards AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing card manufacturing and related services.
• Stadt Burgdorf (City of Burgdorf)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe city of Burgdorf is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing municipal services such as facility maintenance and groundskeeping for city properties.
• Amnesty International SwitzerlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmnesty International Switzerland is listed as a partner, likely in connection with SAZ Burgdorf's commitment to human rights and its internal prevention and reporting office (Interne Präventions- und Meldestelle) for protecting the rights of clients.
• Probst Maveg AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationProbst Maveg AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.
• Nottaris AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationNottaris AG is listed as a partner, with SAZ Burgdorf providing industrial services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Brühlgut Stiftung: Swiss foundation providing sheltered employment (Werkstatt) and vocational integration in Winterthur, with similar contract manufacturing and disability services offerings. Directly comparable as a Swiss WISE (work integration social enterprise) in the same regulatory framework.
• Böndler Stiftung: Swiss foundation providing work integration, vocational training, and housing for clients with disabilities; operates production workshops serving regional industrial clients. Comparable non-profit sheltered-employment model under cantonal IV framework.
• Stiftung Brüttelenbad: Canton of Bern-licensed Swiss non-profit providing vocational training, sheltered work, and housing for people with disabilities. Operates in the same cantonal jurisdiction as SAZ, with directly overlapping service pillars.
• Arkadis Stiftung: Olten-based Swiss foundation offering vocational training, sheltered workshops, and housing for people with disabilities. Operates contract manufacturing (mechanical processing, assembly, packaging) and is co-financed by a cantonal authority under the same IV framework.
• Stiftung zur Palme: Pfäffikon-based Swiss foundation combining sheltered workshops, residential living, and vocational training for people with disabilities, with similar regional contract manufacturing services.
• Stiftung Bühler (Uzwil): Eastern Swiss foundation providing vocational training, supported employment, and residential services for people with disabilities, with industrial workshop integration in partnership with regional manufacturing firms.

Regional players

• Heinzelwerk gGmbH: German non-profit sheltered workshop providing vocational integration through industrial production services. Comparable sheltered-employment model but operating under different German (WfbM) regulatory framework.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Werkstätten Schweiz: Caritas Switzerland operates multiple sheltered workshops and employment programs nationwide. Larger institutional incumbent offering vocational integration services with similar WISE model but broader portfolio and geographic reach than SAZ.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sazburgdorf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saz-burgdorf
• Instagraminstagram.com/saz_burgdorf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 SAZ Burgdorf