pro person GmbH

What pro person GmbH does

pro Person GmbH is a privately held German professional services firm headquartered in Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, founded in 2005 by Bernd Schiff and Frank Müller. The company operates in the regulated German Beschäftigtentransfer (employee transfer) market, delivering transfer companies (Transfergesellschaft), transfer agencies (Transferagentur), and outplacement consulting to employers undergoing restructuring, layoffs, or insolvency, and to the affected employees and works councils. It is AZAV-accredited under SGB III and ISO 9001 certified, which are prerequisites for receiving public co-financing (ESF, Land NRW, §110 and §216b SGB III) and for operating as an employment-promotion provider.

The core technology stack is non-proprietary: standard email, Zoom/Skype video counseling, Matomo web analytics, YouTube multimedia, and a MailChimp newsletter. The operating model combines a 34-person core management and administration team in Wuppertal with a nationwide network of freelance career counselors, coaches, and trainers, supported by 22 regional project locations across Germany (Wuppertal, Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Berlin, Hannover, and others). Services are delivered as fixed-term employment arrangements in transfer companies (up to 12 months under Transferkurzarbeitergeld), as notice-period placement support in transfer agencies, and as individually or group-coached outplacement programs.

Revenue is generated through project-based fees paid by employers (often as part of social plans or severance arrangements), supplemented by public co-financing (ESF, NRW state subsidies, profiling subsidies under §110 SGB III), seminar fees (e.g., €150 per Existenzgründerseminar participant, €400 per Bewerbungstraining module), EAP subscriptions (€5–20 per employee per month), and IHK-certified counselor training (€2,900 total). Distribution is primarily sales-led and referral-driven via Agentur für Arbeit, GIB NRW, insolvency administrators, works councils, and direct employer outreach; digital channels are limited to a corporate website, Facebook, Xing, and YouTube. Customer base spans automotive suppliers (Sona, HAKO, Schaeffler, Lear, Johnson Controls, Bleistahl), industrial manufacturers (Wilhelm Stolle, EUWIRO, Drahtwerk Lötters, redi-Group, E.I.S. Aircraft), logistics (Hermes), and retail/textile firms, with 8,000+ individuals supported since founding.

Name

pro person GmbH

Legal name

pro Person GmbH

Website

https://properson.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

pro Person GmbH is a privately held German professional services firm in Wuppertal that runs AZAV-certified transfer companies, transfer agencies, and outplacement programs for employers undergoing restructuring, layoffs, or insolvency, serving affected employees and works councils nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Employment Transition Services

NAICS

Human Resources Consulting Services (541612), Employment Placement Agencies (561311)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Transition & Reemployment Services (Job Search Support) (BPACAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Individual Outplacement & Career Coaching (BPACAOAA)

Keywords

• Employee transfer services
• Outplacement consulting
• Restructuring advisory
• Career transition support
• Transfer company management

Headquarters

HQ city

Wuppertal

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Transferagentur Services: Placement support for employees during their notice period while still employed, funded through similar mechanisms as transfer companies, including §110 SGB III profiling subsidies and ESF co-financing.
2. Outplacement Consulting: Career transition and placement services for employees and employers, funded directly by companies as part of severance packages or social plans.
3. Seminars and Training: Fee-based seminars including 'Bewerbungstraining' (application training), 'Existenzgründerseminar' (startup seminar), and professional development courses for career advisors. Seminar fees include €150 per participant for startup seminars and €400 per module for application training courses.
4. EAP (Employee Assistance Program): Confidential counseling services for employees offered to companies as monthly per-employee fees ranging from €5-20 per employee per month depending on service package.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

pro Person GmbH operates a multi-service portfolio focused on employment transition and career support in Germany. The core offerings consist of three integrated instruments of Beschäftigtentransfer (employee transfer): the Transfergesellschaft (transfer company) placing displaced workers in time-limited employment with intensive placement support for up to 12 months; the Transferagentur (transfer agency) supporting at-risk employees during notice periods; and Outplacementberatung (outplacement consulting) providing individual and group career reorientation. These are complemented by advisory services (Restrukturierungsberatung, Existenzgründungsberatung, Employee Assistance Program), seminars, and the WeBeWa project for SME HR management.

Product overview

Pro Person GmbH operates a multi-service portfolio focused on employment transition and career support. The core offerings consist of three integrated instruments of employee transfer (Beschäftigtentransfer): the Transfergesellschaft (transfer company), which places displaced workers in time-limited employment with intensive placement support; the Transferagentur (transfer agency), which supports at-risk employees during their notice period; and Outplacementberatung (outplacement consulting), which provides individual and group career reorientation services. These core services are complemented by advisory offerings including Restrukturierungsberatung (restructuring consulting) to guide companies through reorganization, Existenzgründungsberatung (startup consulting) to support self-employment, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential employee counseling. The company also delivers public and in-company seminars (Seminare) covering application training, entrepreneurship, and HR crisis management. A notable newer initiative is the WeBeWa project (Weiterbilden im Wandel der Arbeit), a three-phase programme helping SMEs build strategic HR management capacity through trained internal 'project guides' and masterclasses. Services are delivered through a network of regional project locations and a nationwide pool of freelance consultants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WeBeWa: Weiterbilden im Wandel der Arbeit - Project supporting SMEs with HR management
• Die Job-Kosmonauten
• GEWIN
• FasiBiS

Products and services

• Transfergesellschaft (Transfer Company) A time-limited employment arrangement in which displaced employees enter a fixed-term contract with the transfer company, receiving transfer short-time allowance (Transferkurzarbeitergeld) while receiving intensive placement support, retraining, and job search assistance for up to 12 months. Designed for employers facing restructuring, plant closures, or insolvencies and the affected employees.
• Transferagentur (Transfer Agency) Supports employees threatened by unemployment during their notice period through a placement agency in searching for a new position, with services co-financed through public funding including §110 SGB III profiling subsidies and ESF co-financing. Designed for employers and employees facing workforce reductions.
• Outplacementberatung (Outplacement Consulting) Employer- and employee-funded professional support for career reorientation, including individual and group outplacement programs, resume preparation, interview coaching, and job search strategy development, culminating in a new employment contract or self-employment. Designed for companies providing severance-based outplacement and affected employees.
• Restrukturierungsberatung (Restructuring Consulting) Advisory service accompanying companies through reorganization and restructuring processes, including early-stage social plan design, preventive measures planning, and post-restructuring integration support for remaining employees. Designed for HR directors and managing directors at companies undergoing reorganization.
• Existenzgründungsberatung / Gründercoaching (Startup Consulting) Guided step-by-step support for starting a business, including idea viability check, business plan development, funding advice, and post-founding networking, with KfW-certified founding coaches. Designed for individuals in career transition seeking self-employment.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Confidential telephone and in-person counseling and coaching services for company employees, available 24/7 via hotline, provided as a flat-rate monthly package (€5-20 per employee). EAP Special offers tailored packages for placement support, relocation assistance, and organizational restructuring support. Designed for HR departments seeking scalable employee support programs.
• Seminare (Seminars and Training) Public and in-company seminars covering application/job search training (Bewerbungstraining at €400 per module), startup entrepreneurship workshops (Existenzgründerseminar at €150 per participant), career development consulting training (Weiterbildung zum Berater/in für berufliche Entwicklung at €2,900), and crisis management for employment and training providers. Designed for individual professionals, job seekers, and corporate clients.
• WeBeWa – Weiterbilden im Wandel der Arbeit A three-phase project supporting SMEs in strategic HR management, training 'project guides' within companies who lead internal HR improvement projects, backed by masterclasses, peer-groups, and customized training, funded by public sources. Designed for SMEs needing HR management transformation support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Versorgungsquote (placement success rate): 64-92% across projects; recent 2023 project: 91.6% supply rate, 64.7% direct employment placement, 7.6 month average duration
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Quallianz e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2024Membership since October 2024. Quallianz is a network of committed education service providers in the Bergische Region. Supports dialogue between companies and education providers, relevant for WeBeWa project and transfer work.
• KIST e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2019Partner in FasiBiS (Sozialpartnerprogramm) project launched October 2019, together with DGB Bildungswerk NRW e.V. Supported by BMAS and ESF for stamping and forming industry workforce development.
• DGB Bildungswerk NRW e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2019Partner in FasiBiS project for social partner program in stamping and forming industry. DGB (German Trade Union Confederation) education arm provides union perspective and resources for workforce training.
• Bundesverband der Träger im Beschäftigtentransfer e.V. (BVTB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2017Member since November 2017. BVTB advocates for development of employee transfer instruments, promotes their use, and represents the industry publicly. Works to maintain legal foundations and quality standards.
• Diakonie Michaelshoven / Pro|Arbeit Michaelshoven gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Diakonie Michaelshoven e.V. and its employment subsidiary Pro|Arbeit Michaelshoven gGmbH (Cologne) for collaborative employment and placement services. Provides additional infrastructure and resources for placement work.
• Wirtschaftsförderung SolingenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Solingen's economic development agency for job portal services and regional employment support.
• Diebel Personal HamburgminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHamburg-based personnel placement service partner for regional placement support.
• Europäische Akademie für psychosoziale Gesundheit, Fritz-Perls-Institut GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPsychosocial health academy partnership for counseling methodology and training support.
• Deutsche Edelstahlwerke KarriereWERKSTATT GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer workshop partnership with German specialty steel manufacturer for employee placement and development services.
• low-tec gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDüren-based employment and training service provider partnership.
• NEUE ARBEIT gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStuttgart-based employment services provider for southern Germany coverage.
• NEUE ARBEIT SAAR gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaarbrücken-based partner for Saarland region employment services.
• bamberger HR conceptsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRheinbach-based HR consulting partner for personnel and management consulting services.
• Stefan Rausch Unternehmens- & PersonalberatungminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBonn-based independent business and personnel consulting partnership.
• Your Perspektive / Sonia L. DickeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHamburg-based career perspective consulting partner.
• Dr. Siemen Consult e. K. / Birgit Siemen ConsultingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBonn-based consulting partner for career and business consulting services.
• Deutscher Verband für Bildungs- und Berufsberatung (DVB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of DVB, the German Association for Educational and Career Counseling. Engages in industry development, best practices, and advocacy for career counseling and placement services.
• GIB NRW (Gesellschaft für innovative Beschäftigungsförderung mbH)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNRW Society for Innovative Employment Promotion. Neutral advisory and support organization that recommends serious service providers. Key government partner for employment transfer projects in NRW.
• Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment employment agency providing Transferkurzarbeitergeld (§216b SGB III), placement services, and funding for profiling (§110 SGB III). Essential partner for all transfer company and agency projects.
• ESF (Europäischer Sozialfonds) / Land NRWcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean Social Fund co-financing through NRW state provides significant project funding. ESF subsidies reduce employer costs and enable intensive consulting services for transferred employees.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Randstad Deutschland: Randstad is a global HR services leader with a broad German presence in staffing, recruitment, and outplacement. While its portfolio is far wider than pro Person's, it competes at the top end of the corporate transfer and outplacement market and serves similar enterprise clients.
• Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH) / The Adecco Group: LHH is a global outplacement and career transition services provider within the Adecco Group, offering comprehensive restructuring and workforce transition solutions. It is a broad incumbent that competes with pro Person for multi-national and German corporate clients, particularly on larger, cross-border mandates.
• DIS AG / Adecco Group Germany: DIS AG is a major German HR services provider within the Adecco Group, offering staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions. As a broad incumbent, it overlaps with pro Person in outplacement and restructuring support but operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope.

Direct peers

• TASA AG: TASA AG is one of the largest German transfer company and outplacement providers, offering Transfergesellschaft, Transferagentur, and restructuring consulting services to corporate clients across Germany. It is the most direct head-to-head competitor to pro Person GmbH in the Beschäftigtentransfer market.
• BREMER AG: BREMER AG is a long-established German transfer company and outplacement provider specializing in Transfergesellschaft, Transferagentur, and career transition services. It competes directly with pro Person for corporate restructuring mandates, particularly in industrial and automotive sectors.
• PENTAG Personal GmbH: PENTAG is a German transfer, outplacement, and restructuring services provider with presence across multiple regions. It offers direct overlap with pro Person's transfer company and outplacement portfolio, serving a similar base of corporate restructuring clients.
• LuCardia Human Resources GmbH: LuCardia is a German outplacement and career transition provider focused on supporting individual employees and corporate clients through restructurings. It directly competes with pro Person's individual outplacement and career coaching offerings.
• von Rundstedt & Partner GmbH: von Rundstedt is a leading German outplacement and career transition consultancy serving both corporate and executive clients. It directly competes with pro Person in outplacement and restructuring consulting, with a stronger focus on senior and executive-level career transitions.
• new work employment GmbH: new work employment is a German transfer and outplacement provider focused on sustainable employment transitions and outplacement services, particularly in industrial and commercial sectors. It is a direct peer competing for similar German corporate restructuring mandates.

Emerging players

• JobFutur GmbH: JobFutur is a digital outplacement and career transition platform providing online coaching, training, and job placement services. It represents an emerging, more tech-enabled competitor to pro Person's traditional consulting-led outplacement model, particularly relevant for SMEs and scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbZ1ZVcHt0ePgDH0jVupaaA/featured?disable_polymer=1
• Facebookfacebook.com/properson.de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pro-person-gmbh

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 pro person GmbH