All over Germany, more and more companies rely on cooperation with workshops - also for cost reasons. In order to promote such cooperation, the State Federation of Workshops (LAG:WfbM) in Lower Saxony and the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen was present at the Hanover Industrial Fair.

In this context, Detlef Springmann, chairman of the LAG:WfbM in Lower Saxony and general manager of the „Lebenshilfe” Association of Persons with Mental Disabilities in Brunswick, stated: „The Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Ursula von der Leyen, has already recognised workshops for adapted work as an advantage factor for Germany several years ago. Because of their cooperation with workshops, many companies continue to produce in Germany despite strong cost pressures.” According to Springmann, this characteristic proofs the high performance of German workshops in comparison to other European countries.

Workshops are continuously developing so-called „in-house solutions“ that consist of the direct assignment of workshop employees to customer companies. Detlef Springmann is convinced: „This is a win-win situation for all persons concerned. Production control is easier for the conpany and thus cheaper.“

As a special appreciation of outstanding collaboration, the symposium „Excellent Cooperation“ took place on 23 April at the Convention Center. There, Detlef Springmann, as well as the Federal Minister of State for Social Affairs in Lower Saxony, Mechthild Ross-Luttmann, jointly awarded ten companies from Lower Saxony and the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen for their close cooperation with workshops for adapted work. Detlev Springmann pointed out, that the assignment of persons with disabilities to private companies does not only make sense in a business perspective, but also constitutes a political engagement.