What Caritas Betriebs- und Werkstätten GmbH does

Caritas Betriebs- und Werkstätten GmbH (CBW) is a non-profit GmbH (private limited company) affiliated with the Catholic Caritas organization of the Diocese of Aachen, operating as a Werkstatt für Menschen mit Behinderung (sheltered workshop for people with disabilities) in the StädteRegion Aachen, Germany. The company runs eight workshops across six locations (Eschweiler, Eschweiler-Weisweiler, Alsdorf, Herzogenrath-Kohlscheid, Monschau-Imgenbroich, Würselen) and employs more than 1,640 people, of whom more than 1,350 have disabilities. Its activities span vocational rehabilitation, training, and more than 20 commercial production and service areas, including metalworking, carpentry, laundry, printing, electrical assembly, sewing, gardening, kitchen/cheese production, medical device processing, return handling (DGUV 3), document destruction (DIN 66399), and quality inspection. It also produces branded consumer goods under the Cari-series (CariCoffee, CariBee, CariCandle, CariFire, CariPack) and manufactures Radservicestationen (Fiete and Mike bicycle service stations), with over 1,000 units deployed nationally through an ADAC channel partnership.

CBW generates revenue from a combination of statutory rehabilitation funding (pension insurance, employment agencies, and cost bearers under German employment promotion law), commercial service fees from B2B customers (regional SMEs, hotels, restaurants, care homes, medical practices, law firms, municipalities, and educational institutions), and direct retail product sales through factory outlets (Werksverkauf) in Eschweiler and Monschau-Imgenbroich, plus weekly and Christmas markets. Pricing is transaction- and unit-based for services (e.g., document destruction billed per container, laundry priced per unit) and employer customers can offset invoices against their Ausgleichsabgabe (compensation levy). GTM is predominantly sales-led for B2B and channel-led for the nationally distributed Radservicestationen, supplemented by a social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), a corporate website, and open-house/community events. The organization holds ISO 9001:2015, DIN 66399, MAAS-BGW, FSD, and IHK pre-qualification certifications, and is governed by a supervisory board chaired by the Episcopal Vicar for Caritas affairs in the Diocese of Aachen, with operational management by Geschäftsführer Michael Doersch (Dipl.-Ing., MBA).

Name

Caritas Betriebs- und Werkstätten GmbH

Legal name

Caritas Betriebs- und Werkstätten GmbH

Website

https://cbw-gmbh.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Caritas Betriebs- und Werkstätten GmbH (CBW) is a non-profit sheltered workshop affiliated with the Diocese of Aachen, operating eight workshops across six locations in the StädteRegion Aachen and employing more than 1,640 people, of whom over 1,350 have disabilities, providing vocational rehabilitation along with commercial services and branded products to regional SMEs, municipalities, and private customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets (722514)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Joinery, Millwork & Casework Installation (Cabinetry, Built-Ins) (IMAFANAJ)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Sheltered workshop employment
• Document destruction services
• Commercial laundry services
• Social enterprise manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Eschweiler

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 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. Workshop Services & Manufacturing: CBW operates sheltered workshops providing vocational rehabilitation and employment for people with disabilities. Revenue comes from government funding (rehabilitation carriers) combined with commercial service fees for industrial and business customers.
2. Commercial Services to Industry: B2B services including document destruction (certified to DIN 66399), industrial services, quality inspection, return processing, metalworking, electrical assembly, printing, and laundry services for regional SMEs, law firms, medical practices, hotels, and care homes.
3. Product Sales: Direct product sales through factory outlets (Werksverkauf) and markets. Products include candles (CariCandle, CariFire), coffee (CariCoffee), honey, carpentry items, sewing products, and seasonal items. Revenue from retail sales to private consumers and businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Caritas Betriebs- und Werkstätten GmbH (CBW) is a Caritas-affiliated social enterprise operating sheltered workshops that provide vocational rehabilitation, training, and employment for people with and without disabilities in the StädteRegion Aachen. The company runs 8 workshops across 6 locations delivering a diverse portfolio of commercial services (certified document destruction, professional laundry, industrial services, metalworking, woodworking, sewing, printing, electrical assembly, return processing, quality inspection, automotive work, gardening, catering, medical device processing) and branded products (Radservicestationen bicycle service stations, CariCoffee roasted coffee, CariBee honey, CariCandle candles, CariFire fire starters, CariPack packaging, firewood).

Product overview

CBW operates as a sheltered workshop (Werkstatt für Menschen mit Behinderung) offering a diverse portfolio of over 20 products and services manufactured/provided by people with and without disabilities. The portfolio includes tangible consumer products (Radservicestationen, CariCoffee, CariBee, CariCandle, CariFire, CariPack, Kaminholz, sewn crafts) and commercial services (Aktenvernichtung, Wäscherei, Qualitätsprüfung, Retourenbearbeitung, Druckerei, Näherei, Metallverarbeitung, Schreinerei, Garten- und Landschaftspflege, Küche, Industrieservice, Medizinprodukte, Elektrotechnik, Automobiltechnik). Products like Radservicestationen Fiete and Mike are manufactured metal/plastic bike repair stations distributed nationally through ADAC partnerships. The Cari-series (CariCoffee, CariBee, CariCandle, CariFire, CariPack) represents branded consumer goods. Services include certified document destruction (DIN 66399), professional laundry, quality inspection, return processing, printing, sewing, metalworking, woodworking, gardening, catering, industrial services, medical devices, and electrical work. Retail outlets (Werksverkauf) sell these products directly to consumers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CariBee: Beekeeping and honey production operation - more than 2 million bees managed by CBW in the StädteRegion Aachen.
• CariCandle
• CariCoffee
• CariFire
• CariPack

Products and services

• Aktenvernichtung (Document Destruction) Certified document and data carrier destruction service compliant with DIN 66399 (Security Level 4, Variant 3 — stationary facility), including pickup using lockable containers (popular 240-liter size), secure shredding, and disposal. Targeted at regional SMEs, law firms, medical practices, municipalities, and other organizations requiring GDPR-compliant secure disposal.
• Wäscherei (Commercial Laundry) Professional laundry services including washing, mangling, and ironing of work clothing, bed linens, tablecloths, patient laundry, and personal clothing. Served at the Eschweiler-Weisweiler location. Targeted at hotels, restaurants, care/senior homes, medical practices, schools, and private customers.
• Qualitätsprüfung (Quality Inspection) Quality inspection services including visual inspection, surface inspection, completeness checks, and function testing of mechanical components to customer specifications. Targeted at industrial and commercial customers.
• Retourenbearbeitung (Return Processing) Return management services including inspection and sorting of returned electrical equipment (ortsfeste Geräte) according to DGUV 3 standards. Targeted at retailers and manufacturers requiring compliant handling of returned electrical goods.
• Druckerei (Printing Services) Printing services for various materials, produced within the sheltered workshops. Targeted at commercial customers requiring print production.
• Näherei (Sewing Services) Sewing services producing bags, clothing items, stuffed toys, keychains, and other textile products. Targeted at commercial customers and consumers via factory outlets.
• Metallverarbeitung (Metal Processing) Metal processing and manufacturing services for industrial customers, including production of bicycle service stations and other metal goods.
• Holzverarbeitung / Schreinerei (Woodworking & Carpentry) Woodworking and carpentry services including furniture, decorative items, and firewood logs (Kaminholz). Targeted at commercial customers and private consumers.
• Garten- und Landschaftspflege (Garden & Landscape Maintenance) Garden and landscape maintenance services. Targeted at municipalities, commercial clients, and private customers in the StädteRegion Aachen.
• Küche (Catering & Kitchen Production) Catering and kitchen services producing cheese, meals, and culinary products for sale at markets, canteens, and events. Targeted at consumers and event organizers.
• Industrieservice (Industrial Services) Industrial services for external customers including assembly and manufacturing support. Targeted at industrial and commercial customers.
• Medizinprodukte (Medical Device Processing) Medical device manufacturing and processing services. Targeted at healthcare and medical device customers.
• Elektrotechnik (Electrical Engineering & Assembly) Electrical engineering and assembly services. Targeted at industrial customers requiring electrical assembly and manufacturing support.
• Automobiltechnik (Automotive Technology Services) Automotive technology services. Targeted at automotive industry customers.
• Radservicestationen Fiete & Mike (Bicycle Service Stations)

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 1,000 bicycle service stations produced and deployed nationwide in partnership with ADAC
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bistum Pasto, Kolumbien (Diocese of Pasto)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Partnership with Diocese of Pasto for sourcing high-quality coffee beans from small-scale farmer cooperatives in Colombia's Andean region. CBW plans to roast and sell this coffee, supporting both inclusion employment and sustainable development of Colombian farming families.
• Physiotherapiepraxis Raphael WeiskopfcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025First network partner in CBW's new dual certificate course concept for vocational training of people with disabilities. The physiotherapy practice contributes practical expertise and real-work experience while CBW provides theoretical qualification and socio-pedagogical support.
• ADAC (General German Automobile Club)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023ADAC is a major channel partner for CBW's bicycle service stations (Radservicestationen). The ADAC has deployed hundreds of stations across Germany through its regional clubs. The partnership promotes cycling infrastructure, climate protection, and supports inclusion of people with disabilities. ADAC has deployed stations in multiple German states.
• Hirsch-Center AachenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShopping center partnership for bicycle service station installation. The Hirsch-Center provides location for the Fiete model station, serving customers who cycle to the center. Partnership promotes sustainable mobility and inclusion.
• CAP-Markt Wuppertal (proviel)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntegration company operating markets where people with and without disabilities work together. CBW installed a bicycle service station to test acceptance. Success could lead to deployment at other CAP markets.
• NetAachencoreTechnology or IntegrationMore than ten-year IT infrastructure partnership. NetAachen provides telecommunications and IT services supporting CBW's operations across multiple workshop locations.
• Caritas KrefeldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInitial customer committed to purchasing Colombian coffee from CBW partnership with Diocese of Pasto. Represents early offtake commitment in the Caritas family.
• Kai Havertz-StiftungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation funding animal-assisted intervention (therapy dogs Lucy and Elli) at CBW locations in Alsdorf and Würselen. Foundation head Lea Havertz visited to see the funded project.
• Förderverein der CBW e.V.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupport association that uses membership fees and donations to support CBW employees with disabilities through festivals, holiday trips, and assistance for those moving to residential homes. Promotes public understanding for disability issues.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Direct peers

• Lebenshilfe Werkstätten: National federation of sheltered workshops serving people with intellectual disabilities; operates under the same German SGB IX framework and offers comparable manufacturing, services, and product portfolios to CBW.
• Caritas Wertarbeit (regional Caritas workshops): Other regional Caritas-affiliated sheltered workshops within the German Caritas network offering the same mission-aligned vocational rehabilitation services and diversified B2B offerings as CBW.
• Diakonie Werkstätten (Germany, national): Protestant-affiliated equivalent of CBW operating sheltered workshops for people with disabilities across Germany with the same vocational-rehabilitation mandate, government funding model, and diversified production/service portfolio.
• GWW Gemeinnützige Werkstätten GmbH: Regional sheltered-workshop operator in Baden-Württemberg providing vocational rehabilitation through industrial services, manufacturing, and food production under the same regulatory and funding framework as CBW.
• Antoniusheim Fulda e.V. Catholic-affiliated social enterprise operating sheltered workshop facilities for people with disabilities in Hesse, providing comparable manufacturing, food, and service offerings under similar governance.
• Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz Werkstätten: Red Cross-affiliated sheltered workshops in Bavaria providing vocational rehabilitation and B2B services under the same German statutory framework as CBW.

Broad incumbents

• Mewa Textil-Service GmbH & Co. Major German industrial textile services and workwear rental company operating commercial laundry facilities serving hotels, restaurants, healthcare, and industrial clients — directly comparable to CBW's Wäscherei service line.
• Reisswolf Holding GmbH: Germany's largest commercial document and data carrier destruction provider; competes head-on with CBW's DIN 66399-certified Aktenvernichtung service in the B2B segment, though without the social-mission mandate.
• CWS Workwear International GmbH: European workwear and hygiene rental provider with commercial laundry operations; competes with CBW's commercial laundry services for hotels, care homes, and industrial customers in Germany.

Others

• Hofpfisterei GmbH: Munich-based specialty bakery operating under a social-inclusion mission (employing people with integration needs), with a comparable artisan food product strategy and faith-rooted governance model, though focused on baked goods rather than diversified workshop production.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cbw.gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/cbw_gmbh
• TikToktiktok.com/@cbw_gmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caritas-betriebs--und-werkst%C3%A4tten-gmbh

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Caritas Betriebs- und Werkstätten GmbH