Official Announcement | The 59th B Corp in Mainland China, “Inclusion Factory”: A Localization Model for Inclusive Employment

Currently, people with intellectual disabilities often face severe social isolation and employment discrimination. Due to misunderstandings of their abilities and the lack of adaptive measures in the workplace, many people with disabilities are unable to enter the labor market smoothly, which leads to economic hardship and social inequality. To address this issue, Germany has adopted the sheltered workshop model to provide employment for people with disabilities. These traditional sheltered workshops primarily rely on government purchases for income and offer monotonous manual labor, failing to provide meaningful career development paths for people with disabilities.

As the 59th B Corp in Mainland China, Inclusion Factory has created a more inclusive and adaptive employment environment by combining the German public welfare model with the demands of the Chinese market. Its goal is not only to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities through skills training and social support, helping them achieve career growth and self-value, but also to rely on its unique business model to gain a competitive market edge and become a company that balances social benefits and commercial success.

01 Inclusion Factory and Employment for Disabled Partners

Inclusion Factory was founded by the Taicang Round Table, which consists mainly of senior executives from German companies operating in China. While focusing on business development, they also have a strong sense of social responsibility. Before 2014, the association’s main charity activities were through donations to Sichuan and the establishment of schools. However, as they delved deeper into local needs, they realized that Taicang was facing more urgent and localized social welfare needs, especially in supporting people with disabilities to achieve employment.

After several in-depth discussions, the founding team decided to introduce the German sheltered workshop model to Taicang. With the support of the Disabled Persons’ Federation, the factory secured a small site and invited several experienced German experts in the social enterprise field to launch the project—providing employment training for people with disabilities and hiring them for automotive parts processing for Taicang’s local automotive industry.

In the process of helping disabled partners achieve employment, Inclusion Factory established a well-organized system to ensure that each employee receives the necessary support and development. These mechanisms include:

1.Personalized Assessment: The factory conducts personalized ability assessments for each employee with disabilities, considering their skills, interests, and career goals to ensure they are placed in the most suitable positions. This process not only helps employees adapt quickly to the new environment but also provides the company with suitable talent.

2.Systematic Training: Inclusion Factory offers comprehensive vocational skills training and life skills counseling, helping employees enhance their work capabilities and confidence. The training courses cover industry-related skills as well as interpersonal communication and teamwork, ensuring employees are well-prepared for the workplace.

3.Workplace Environment Assessment: In close cooperation with enterprises, the factory evaluates the acceptability of the workplace environment to ensure that employees with disabilities can work in a safe and friendly environment. By optimizing the design and workflow of the workplace, barriers are reduced, and the work experience is improved.

4. Job Coach Support: Each employee with disabilities is assigned a dedicated Job Coach who provides continuous support and guidance. These Job Coaches offer close assistance during the initial phase of employment, helping employees gradually adapt to their new jobs and providing timely help when challenges arise.

5.Regular Feedback Mechanism: A regular feedback mechanism is established to collect opinions and suggestions from both employees and enterprises. Through regular communication and evaluations, Inclusion Factory can continuously optimize its support measures and work processes, ensuring employee development and satisfaction.

Initially, Inclusion Factory employed only 12 employees with disabilities who were mainly responsible for automotive parts production. As the business grew, by 2017 and 2018, more companies began to approach the factory, eager to hire employees with disabilities and seeking professional support and advice. To meet the increasing demand, the factory gradually developed an Inclusion Advisory business, offering workplace environment assessments, identifying suitable job positions for employees with disabilities, and training management staff. Last year, as market demand further expanded, the inclusion advisory segment began to operate independently, marking significant progress in the diversification of Inclusion Factory’s business. These efforts have not only promoted the employment of people with disabilities but also infused new vitality and social responsibility into the enterprises.

02 Localization Strategy: Connecting Community and Industry
Localization of the Industrial Model

Inclusion Factory’s profit model differs from traditional sheltered workshops that rely on government support. It successfully achieved self-sufficiency through market-based operations. While it has a clear social mission to provide employment opportunities and skills training for people with intellectual disabilities, its business model does not solely depend on government subsidies or charitable donations. Instead, it participates in market competition, particularly in localized industries such as automotive parts processing, achieving stable profitability.

The highly localized business model of Inclusion Factory is key to its success. Taicang is an important hub for China-Germany cooperation, with many German-invested enterprises, especially in the automotive and electrical manufacturing sectors. The factory leverages this advantage, providing high-quality processing services to local and surrounding German and Chinese companies, especially in automotive parts processing. This industry positioning ensures a stable order source and, through efficient management and process optimization, Inclusion Factory has been able to establish a strong foothold in a competitive market.

Establishing a Trust Network with Stakeholders

The localization strategy of Inclusion Factory is not only reflected in its geographical location but also in its close cooperation with local enterprises, forming a trust network. Through long-term partnerships with several well-known companies, Inclusion Factory not only ensures stable orders but also quickly adapts to changing market conditions.

This localized cooperation model provides Inclusion Factory with a strong competitive advantage in the market, forming a virtuous cycle: the company’s profitability promotes continuous investment in employees with disabilities, while the growth of these employees, in turn, enhances the company’s productivity and social impact. As the trust network deepens, all stakeholders—including enterprises, the government, the community, and employees with disabilities—form a mutually supportive relationship, ensuring that Inclusion Factory not only achieves economic profitability but also makes significant strides in social responsibility and sustainable development. This cooperative and trusting interaction has laid a solid foundation for the long-term development of Inclusion Factory.

03 From “Existence is Success” to Global Influence:
The B Corp Certification Journey of Inclusion Factory

Undoubtedly, the existence of Inclusion Factory itself is a success. In the industry, the successful operation of Inclusion Factory has made more enterprises realize that hiring employees with disabilities can also lead to commercial success. This success is reflected not only in stable operations and profitability but also in its strong commitment to social responsibility. In the future, Inclusion Factory plans to expand its international cooperation and global business, using this successful case to further enhance its influence. Therefore, applying for B Corp certification will be an important step for the company. This certification will not only enhance its international image but also provide strong support for global partnerships. The certification process will help Inclusion Factory systematically showcase its social value, attract more international partners, and jointly promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

B Corp certification is a globally recognized standard designed to assess a company’s social and environmental performance. By evaluating various aspects such as the environment, community, governance, customers, and employees, Inclusion Factory will be able to more systematically assess and optimize its operational model, ensuring that it maximizes social value while achieving commercial success. The certification process will encourage the factory to critically examine its business practices, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen its responsibility toward society and the environment while advancing employment for people with disabilities. Additionally, the international network of B Corps provides Inclusion Factory with opportunities to communicate and collaborate with other social enterprises and industry leaders, allowing it to learn from successful experiences, expand its business partnerships, and more effectively promote its business model and social mission on the global stage.

We are honored to join the B Corp community and look forward to engaging in extensive exchanges and collaborations with social partners from various fields who share a common vision. Together, we aim to build a more vibrant, resilient, and sustainable business ecosystem, open up more diverse development opportunities for employment of people with intellectual disabilities, and contribute to the promotion of an inclusive society.