Marli GmbH

What Marli GmbH does

Marli GmbH is a Lübeck-based social services organization founded in 1965 and owned by the nonprofit Lebenshilfe Lübeck und Umgebung e.V., recognized under §142 SGB IX as a Werkstatt für behinderte Menschen (WfbM). It delivers an integrated portfolio of disability services across the life cycle, including sheltered workshops in metalwork, wood, textiles, printing, candle-making, ceramics, gardening and gastronomy; residential housing; family support and early-intervention services; stationary and ambulatory nursing care (via subsidiary Marli Pflege GmbH); vocational training and on-site work placements; and leisure services (via PROLAVI GmbH). Operations span the Lübeck region of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, supported by ISO 9001:2008 certification and routine MDK inspections, with the 60th anniversary celebrated in September 2025 drawing 800+ attendees.

The business model is primarily publicly funded: revenue is sourced from statutory health insurers (Krankenkassen), pension insurance (Rentenversicherung), the federal employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit), and the municipality of Lübeck, supplemented by donations and ancillary commercial activity through the KuliMar hospitality venue and the Bioland-organic Marli-Hof produce line. As a GmbH under nonprofit ownership, capital structure is anchored by the parent Lebenshilfe association, with operational governance exercised by Managing Director Kai Noetzelmann and Prokurists Birte Reinberg, Jan Oeser, and Thomas Rickert; a Werkstattrat provides participant representation. Marli competes on the basis of statutory recognition, integrated service breadth, and 60 years of regional institutional trust rather than on technology or scale advantages relative to other WfbM operators in Germany.

Name

Marli GmbH

Legal name

Marli GmbH

Website

https://marli.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Marli GmbH is a Lübeck-based, nonprofit-affiliated social services organization founded in 1965 that provides workshops, residential care, nursing, family support, and vocational training for people with disabilities in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Social Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Home Health Care Services (62161), Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI), Workforce Support Services & Case Management (Coaching, Wraparound) (EDAAAOAK), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Disability social services
• Vocational workshop employment
• Residential care services
• Early intervention programs
• Inclusive employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lübeck

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Social Services Funding: Core services for people with disabilities are funded by public health insurance (Krankenkassen), pension insurance (Rentenversicherung), employment agencies (Agentur für Arbeit), and municipal authorities. Services include workshops, vocational training, residential care, family support, and early intervention programs.
2. Hospitality and Catering: The organization's catering brand KuliMar generates revenue through its self-service restaurant, café operations, and event catering services. Price points range from €3-8 per meal item.
3. Donations: Marli accepts donations to supplement services for people with disabilities, with all donations used exclusively for service beneficiaries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Marli GmbH is a recognized Werkstatt für behinderte Menschen (WfbM) under §142 SGB IX providing integrated disability services in Lübeck, Germany. Its core offerings span workshop employment across 20+ production areas, vocational training, residential housing and outpatient assisted living, stationary and ambulatory nursing care, early intervention, family support, and inclusive gastronomy. Founded in 1965 by Lebenshilfe Lübeck und Umgebung e.V., the company serves hundreds of people with disabilities across the Schleswig-Holstein region through direct facility-based and at-home service delivery.

Product overview

Marli GmbH is a comprehensive social services organization (Werkstatt für Menschen mit Behinderung) founded in 1965, operating as a multi-service provider for people with disabilities. The portfolio centers on five core service pillars: (1) Marli-Werkstätten offering diverse workshop employment across 20+ production areas including document destruction, catering, printing, metalworking, and pottery; (2) Wohnen & Leben providing residential housing communities, outpatient assisted living, and day-structuring programs; (3) Marli Pflege GmbH delivering stationary and ambulatory nursing care; (4) Familie & Lernen encompassing early intervention services and family relief support; and (5) Gastronomie & Begegnung featuring the self-service restaurant KuliMar. The organization also operates the Marli-Hof farm with garden center, farm shop, and café. Vocational training and external workplace placement services support employment preparation and integration into the general labor market. Marli serves as an inclusive workplace combining people with and without disabilities across all service areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KuliMar: Kulinarische Eigenmarke der Marli Gastronomie. Der Name steht für kulinarische Köstlichkeiten, die Marli mit ihrer Gastronomie anbietet.

Products and services

• Marli-Werkstätten (Workshop Services) Sheltered workshop employment services for people with disabilities across 20+ production areas including document destruction, catering, bookbinding, printing, textile/sublimation printing, electrical assembly, gardening, wood processing, candle making, metalworking, assembly and packaging, postal services, textile processing, pottery/ceramics, and laundry. Funded through public health insurance, pension insurance, employment agency, and municipal authorities.
• Marli-Hof

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lebenshilfe Lübeck und Umgebung e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder and shareholder organization. Volker Schmidt from Lebenshilfe participated in the 60th anniversary celebration and recalled that Marli was founded in 1965 as a protected workshop of Lebenshilfe.
• Stiftung ParitätcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation providing governance and support. Michael Saitner, Chairman of Stiftung Parität, delivered a keynote at the 60th anniversary celebration, emphasizing that inclusion is an ongoing process requiring continuous commitment.
• Landesverband der Lebenshilfe Schleswig-Holstein e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level Lebenshilfe association in Schleswig-Holstein. Listed as a member organization and partner network participant.
• Der PARITÄTISCHE Schleswig-HolsteincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level welfare association (Wohlfahrtsverband). Listed as a member organization and partner network participant. The organization is a member of both Landesverband der Lebenshilfe and PARITÄTISCHER.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen (BAG WfbM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association of workshops for people with disabilities. Listed as a partner in the network.
• FLEK Gruppe GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner in Marli's network. Nature of partnership not specified in detail.
• Lübeck Management e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business association in Lübeck. Listed as a partner in Marli's network for potential business connections.
• Hanse-Stadt LübeckcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipal government of Lübeck acts as a key funding partner, particularly for outpatient supported living services (Ambulant betreutes Wohnen).
• Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival (SHMF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic festival that has visited Marli for five years as part of its music truck tour, providing cultural events for the community.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Der PARITÄTISCHE Gesamtverband: Umbrella welfare association of which Marli is already a member — relevant as an ecosystem participant and potential partner/competitor for member services in Schleswig-Holstein and beyond.

Direct peers

• Stiftung Bethel (von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel): One of Germany's largest social services foundations, operating workshops (WfbM), residential communities, and care services for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health conditions across multiple regions — directly comparable to Marli's integrated service model at significantly larger scale.
• Lebenshilfe Nordrhein-Westfalen: State-level Lebenshilfe association operating workshops, housing, early intervention, and family support services in NRW — same operating model, same statutory framework (§142 SGB IX), and same target population as Marli.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Deutschland: Catholic welfare association operating an extensive network of workshops, residential facilities, and care services for people with disabilities — comparable in service mix but operates nationwide under a broader social-services mandate.
• Diakonie Deutschland: National umbrella of Protestant welfare organizations operating disability workshops, residential care, and ambulatory services across Germany — overlaps with Marli's service portfolio but as part of a much broader welfare mandate.
• AWO Bundesverband: Major German welfare organization providing disability services, elderly care, and family support through regional affiliates — comparable in service categories though not specialized exclusively in disability services.

Emerging players

• CJD (Christliches Jugenddorfwerk Deutschlands): Education and social services organization operating vocational training, supported employment, and disability-related services — partial overlap with Marli's vocational Bildung and Berufliche Bildung programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Marli-GmbH-285518308255052
• Instagraminstagram.com/marli_fuer_menschen
• Xx.com/marligmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marli-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Marli GmbH