gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG
GDW Süd eG is a Stuttgart-based German cooperative coordinating a network of 60+ member social enterprises operating 365 production locations across seven states, employing 33,000-35,000 people with disabilities to deliver certified manufacturing, electronics, cleanroom, logistics, and facility services to enterprise customers while licensing retail franchise concepts such as CAP-Markt.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersStuttgart, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG does
GDW Süd eG (Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG) is a Stuttgart-headquartered German cooperative that coordinates a network of more than 60 member social enterprises operating approximately 365 production locations across Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Saarland, Rheinland-Pfalz, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Thüringen, collectively employing 33,000-35,000 people with disabilities. The cooperative operates two interrelated business pillars. The first is an enterprise contract-coordination business in which GDW Süd acquires commercial orders from industrial, retail, and public-sector customers and routes them to member enterprises based on capacity, specialization, and geographic fit — covering metal/plastic/wood/textile processing, electronics (PCB assembly, cable/control cabinet manufacturing, DGUV electrical testing), technical services (cleanroom medical-device assembly under ISO 13485 and ISO Class 7 GMP C/D, systemic delivery, packaging, unit assembly), fulfillment and print/lettershop services, and office/facility services (document shredding, grounds maintenance, catering, digitizing). The second pillar is a portfolio of franchised retail and service concepts (CAP-Markt supermarkets, iD drugstores, SOMO bicycle shops, CAPpuccino bistros, NimmEssMit to-go stores, ACheck DGUV testing) licensed to social enterprises and independent operators nationwide.
Revenue mechanics combine a transaction-fee/take-rate model on industrial contracts, franchise and concept licensing royalties, and margin on centralized group procurement (Beschaffungskooperation). The go-to-market is enterprise field sales — regional customer advisors covering Baden-Württemberg, Saarland, and Sachsen serve as named account managers delivering a single-point-of-contact interface for multi-service contracts. The cooperative does not disclose revenue. A structural commercial incentive underpins demand: under Germany's Ausgleichsabgabe regime, enterprises with 20+ employees can offset 50% of the labor portion of invoices from sheltered workshops (WfbM) against their mandatory disability compensation levy, providing a codified financial rationale for placing orders with the network. Anchor enterprise customers include IKEA Deutschland (20-year integrated workplace partnership at Ludwigsburg), Dürr Dental SE (decade-long system partnership), Kärcher, Amazon, and a diversified set of manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and government logos; member enterprises hold certifications across ISO 9001, 14001, 13485, 1090, 12647, 22000, IATF 16949, DIN 66399, Ökoprofit, MAAS-BGW, Bioland, and RAL-GZ 992 series. As a member-owned Genossenschaft with no parent company, external investors, or public listing, governance is cooperative-based and growth is reinvested into the member network.
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG
- Legal name
- GDW Süd eG
- Website
- https://gdw-sued.de
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- GDW Süd eG is a Stuttgart-based German cooperative coordinating a network of 60+ member social enterprises operating 365 production locations across seven states, employing 33,000-35,000 people with disabilities to deliver certified manufacturing, electronics, cleanroom, logistics, and facility services to enterprise customers while licensing retail franchise concepts such as CAP-Markt.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stuttgart
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Manufacturing Services Revenue: GDW Süd coordinates manufacturing and service contracts for member social enterprises. Revenue flows through the cooperative structure, with GDW Süd acting as the single point of contact for customers. Services span manufacturing (metal, plastic, wood, textile), electronics, technical services, marketing/e-commerce, and facility services.
- Franchise and Concept Licensing: GDW Süd licenses established retail and service concepts (CAP-Markt, iD Drogeriemarkt, NimmEssMit, CAPpuccino, SOMO, ACheck) to social enterprises and independent operators. Franchisees pay for concept usage, marketing support, and operational guidance.
- Group Purchasing (Beschaffungskooperation): Member social enterprises and partner organizations benefit from pooled purchasing power. GDW Süd coordinates bulk procurement of supplies, equipment, and services across the network, likely taking a margin on consolidated orders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Custom manufacturing and service quotes |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Franchise and concept licensing |
| Other | Annual | Disability levy offset calculation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GDW Süd is a cooperative that acquires manufacturing, technical and facility service contracts from commercial and public-sector customers and distributes them across its network of more than 60 member social enterprises with approximately 350-365 production sites in seven German states. It also licenses established consumer-facing franchise concepts (CAP-Markt supermarkets, iD Drogeriemarkt, NimmEssMit, CAPpuccino, SOMO bicycle shops, ACheck electrical testing) to member social enterprises and independent operators. The cooperative offers a single point of contact for diverse manufacturing and service capabilities spanning metal/plastic/wood/textile processing, electronics, cleanroom production, packaging, fulfilment, and facility services.
Product overview
GDW Süd is a cooperative network of over 60 social enterprises operating approximately 350 production sites across Germany, employing over 33,000 people with disabilities. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio organized into two main pillars: (1) Retail/social franchising concepts including CAP-Markt supermarkets, iD drugstores, NimmEssMit to-go stores, CAPpuccino snack shops, and SOMO bicycle shops; and (2) Industrial and facility services including metal, plastic, wood, and textile processing, electronics (PCB assembly, cable/control cabinet manufacturing, electrical equipment testing), technical services (systemic delivery, confectioning/packaging, clean room manufacturing, unit assembly), marketing & e-commerce (fulfillment, printing/lettershop), and office & facility services (document shredding, green area maintenance, canteen/catering, digitizing/archiving). The network also develops own products such as DESI2GO mobile disinfection stations and walking aid holders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CAP-Markt: A supermarket concept with a fresh food focus, serving as a local provider and meeting point. Founded in 1999, there are now more than 100 CAP-Markt locations across Germany.
- SOMO
- ACheck
- CAPpuccino
- iD – Ihr Drogeriemarkt
- NimmEssMit
Products and services
- CAP-Markt Supermarket franchise concept addressing food supply gaps in underserved areas, operated by member workshops for people with disabilities. Offers a full product range with services such as assisted shopping and delivery.
- iD – Ihr Drogeriemarkt
Quantifiable outcome
- Companies can reduce disability compensation levy payments by placing orders with sheltered workshops, with 50% of labor costs countable toward quota
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG
Customer profileNamed customers21 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- AmazonminorAmazon is listed as a customer logo on the GDW Süd website. Specific partnership details, scope of services, or contractual relationship are not disclosed.
- IKEA Deutschland GmbH & Co. KGcore20-year partnership where IKEA Ludwigsburg works with sheltered workshops under GDW Süd. Employees with disabilities have integrated workplace positions in the IKEA store and are described as part of the IKEA family.
- Dürr Dental SEcoreDürr Dental has evolved from small orders to a system partnership with GDW Süd over a decade. Described as growing together daily.
- CAP-Markt OperatorscoreOver 100 CAP-Markt supermarkets operated by social enterprises and independent franchisees across Germany. GDW Süd provides franchise concept, marketing support, and purchasing cooperation.
- ACheck Partner CompaniescoreNationwide network of partner companies providing electrical equipment testing (DGUV) services. Partners are inclusion enterprises that create jobs for people with disabilities while providing standardized testing services.
- Member Social Enterprises (WfbM and Inklusionsunternehmen)coreOver 60 member social enterprises including sheltered workshops (Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen) and inclusion companies. Members receive order flow, coordination services, group purchasing benefits, and continuing education from GDW Süd.
- Cafésito Kaffeerösterei (OWB Oberschwäbische Werkstätten)minorIntegration project providing specialty coffee for CAPpuccino bistros. People with disabilities employed in coffee roasting operations produce house brand coffee sold across the franchise network.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Edeka: Germany's largest member-owned retail cooperative, with thousands of independent Edeka-Kaufmann franchise stores. Comparable to GDW Süd's CAP-Markt concept in the member-owned, franchise-based supermarket model and regional cooperative governance structure.
- REWE: Major German member-owned retail cooperative operating REWE supermarkets and PENNY discount stores. Directly comparable to the cooperative/franchise model underpinning GDW Süd's CAP-Markt and iD concepts.
- Diakonie Werkstätten: Network of sheltered workshops operated under the Protestant welfare organization Diakonie in Germany. Directly comparable to GDW Süd's member enterprises in mission, services, and contract-manufacturing offerings.
- Caritas Werkstätten: Network of sheltered workshops operated under the Catholic welfare organization Caritas in Germany. Direct peer for contract manufacturing, training, and integration services for people with disabilities, mirroring GDW Süd's WfbM member-enterprise model.
Broad incumbents
- Rossmann: Second-largest German drugstore chain. Comparable as the broader incumbent in the category where GDW Süd operates its iD franchise; relevant benchmark for unit economics and category competitive dynamics.
- dm-drogerie markt: Germany's largest drugstore chain. Comparable as the dominant incumbent that GDW Süd's iD – Ihr Drogeriemarkt franchise concept competes with for small-town and city-district drugstore share.
- Decathlon: Global sporting-goods retailer with strong German footprint and broad bike product/range. Comparable as the broader incumbent against which GDW Süd's inclusive SOMO bike-shop concept competes for cycle retail and service share.
Others
- BAG WfbM (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen): National umbrella association representing sheltered workshops (WfbM) across Germany. Directly comparable as the policy and coordination layer for the same WfbM ecosystem that GDW Süd's member enterprises belong to.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG social profiles
Digital presencegdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance12 records
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG 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 gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG
What does gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG do?
GDW Süd is a cooperative that acquires manufacturing, technical and facility service contracts from commercial and public-sector customers and distributes them across its network of more than 60 member social enterprises with approximately 350-365 production sites in seven German states. It also licenses established consumer-facing franchise concepts (CAP-Markt supermarkets, iD Drogeriemarkt, NimmEssMit, CAPpuccino, SOMO bicycle shops, ACheck electrical testing) to member social enterprises and independent operators. The cooperative offers a single point of contact for diverse manufacturing and service capabilities spanning metal/plastic/wood/textile processing, electronics, cleanroom production, packaging, fulfilment, and facility services.
Is gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG a public or private company?
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG founded?
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG based?
gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Manufacturing Services Revenue is the primary driver. The others are franchise and Concept Licensing and group Purchasing (Beschaffungskooperation).
Who are gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Edeka, REWE, Diakonie Werkstätten and Caritas Werkstätten. Broad incumbents are Rossmann, dm-drogerie markt and Decathlon. BAG WfbM (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen) is listed as an others.
Does gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG have an API?
No public API is recorded for gdw Genossenschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen Süd eG.