Collaborating with domestic and international educational institutions to raise awareness about disability equality among young people, while welcoming individuals from various backgrounds to contribute their expertise to social issues, are the core missions of Inclusion Factory.

In May 2024, Inclusion Factory and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (hereinafter referred to as XJTLU) officially signed a cooperation framework agreement to jointly establish the “Taicang Social Innovation Lab”. The two parties will engage in in-depth collaboration in areas including building practical bases, providing student internship opportunities, supporting activities, and expert cooperations. Together, we aim to drive both social and commercial impacts through innovative thinking.

During the summer and autumn semesters of 2024, Inclusion Factory joined classes at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University for the first time, sharing practical insights on how technology can assist social issues with university students from both China and abroad.

Exploring the Factory:

How Can Technology Help Address Social Issues?

In July 2024, during the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) Immersive Technopreunership Summer School, Inclusion Factory hosted 40 university students from 8 countries.

Ziye Chen, Senior Consultant of Inclusion Advisory, introduced the development of Inclusion Factory, starting from a small workshop with fewer than 10 employees, and gradually growing into a manufacturing factory with over 40 employees with disabilities. However, challenges and opportunities coexist, and we invite students to think about future possibilities of the Factory over the next ten years.

Students learned about the development of Inclusion Factory

Meanwhile, Operations Director Qing Di introduced how to implement management practices concerning the characteristics of employees with disabilities. “Respect each person’s uniqueness” and “change the environment, not the person” are the core principles of the Factory’s environment and system design.

Students visited Inclusion Factory

In-Depth Exploration:

How Can Technology Addresses the Needs of Diverse Groups?

In November of 2024, Inclusion Factory was once again invited to participate in XJTLU’s “Cutting-edge Practice in Innovation and Entrepreneurship” autumn course, where we used the Factory as an example, sharing how to conduct design on “empathy”.

In the class, Ms. Chen first guided students to reflect on the relationship between “disability”, “intellectual disabilities” and themselves, with relevant background and data as supportive materials. Then, students had the opportunity to personally experience the actual product assembly process at the Factory–screwing bolts into a product and thinking about how to control the length of the protruding bolts to within 10 centimeters.

Students reflected on the relationship between disability and themselves through interactive boards and videos

During the process, students were introduced to the concept of “jigs and fixtures”, it is a type of tool used in manufacturing to accurately position devices, ensuring precision and reducing errors, thereby increasing work efficiency. The support of jigs and fixtures allows many individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate in the manufacturing process, and complete tasks with quality.

Students experienced “jigs”

Students with various academic backgrounds—such as intelligent manufacturing, IoT, chips, big data, supply chains, and cultural technology—offered multi-angle insights and suggestions for the development of the Inclusion Factory over the next decade.

As the class neared its end, Dr. Sophie Tong He, Assistant Professor at XJTLU, introduced the concept of “appropriate technology,” opening up a new dimension for students to consider.

First proposed by British economist E. F. Schumacher in 1973, as opposed to alienating, dehumanizing technology, appropriate technology emphasizes promoting human creativity. In the rapidly developing field of artificial intelligence, professionals across industries are concerned about being replaced or alienated by machines. In this context, how can technology fully embody humanistic values and support diverse groups in a sustainable and appropriately scaled manner? This has become an urgent research topic for students to explore further.

“We sincerely appreciate Inclusion Factory for providing students with a high-quality platform for industry-academia-research cooperation. Through our collaboration on Syntegrative Education, we hope to guide students in reflecting on the cutting-edge research topics of society. These topics will bring new perspectives to students and open up more possibilities for them in the fields of technology and business research.” 

——Dr. Dr. Sophie Tong He

Conclusion

Group photo of all participants

n the morning of November 27th, The 2nd Asian Philanthropy Forum successfully opened in Haikou. The event attracted representatives from public welfare and charitable organizations across 18 countries and regions, along with 24 international organizations, with nearly 400 participants. Under the theme of “Diverse Cooperation, Sustainable Development,” the forum provided a platform for discussing and exchanging ideas on new trends and missions in the development of public welfare in Asia.

At this grand event, Inclusion Factory was awarded the 2024 “Outstanding Asian Public Welfare Project” for its initiative in “Empowering People with Intellectual Disabilities for Dignified Employment.”

Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Asian Philanthropy Forum

The Asian Philanthropy Forum is a global public welfare event led by the Hainan Asia Public Welfare Research Institute. It serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and fostering practical cooperation among the most influential philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and leaders of public welfare organizations worldwide, all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. During the opening ceremony, several distinguished guests shared their insights and discussed ways to actively implement global development…

Inclusion Factory Actively Responds to the Call of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

At the forum, Inclusion Factory was honored with the “Outstanding Asian Public Welfare Project” award for its initiative “Empowering People with Intellectual Disabilities for Dignified Employment.” Over the past decade since its establishment, Inclusion Factory has been committed to creating an accessible working environment, supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities to realize their vocational potential, and fostering a diverse, equal, and inclusive workplace culture for employers. We firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to develop their potential and contribute to and integrate into society through dignified employment.

Forest Leung, Director of Inclusion Factory (pictured on the right), took the stage to receive the award

Initially, Inclusion Factory employed just 12 workers with intellectual disabilities, mainly involved in the production of automotive components. As the business grew, by 2017 and 2018, more and more companies began to actively reach out to the factory, expressing interest in hiring individuals with intellectual disabilities and requesting professional support and consultation from Inclusion Factory.

To meet the growing demand, Inclusion Factory gradually developed its consulting services, providing workplace environment assessments, job accommodation recommendations, and training for management personnel. As the market demand further expanded, the inclusion advisory segment began to operate independently, marking a significant milestone in Inclusion Factory’s progress toward business diversification. These efforts have not only facilitated the employment of individuals with intellectual disabilities but also injected new vitality and a sense of social responsibility into businesses.

Flextronics Inclusion Factory, providing training for individuals with intellectual disabilities

Individuals with intellectual disabilities working at the factory

Looking to the future, we remain steadfast and committed to our original mission.We will continue to deepen our focus on the manufacturing sector, actively expand diverse partnerships, and continuously improve and refine our support systems. Our goal is to create more dignified employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, thereby promoting social inclusion and fairness.

We hope to expand this model to a broader range of applications and sincerely invite more businesses and social organizations to join us in this journey, working together to create a more inclusive society.

For more details about the forum, please click on the original text below

《Diverse Cooperation for Sustainable Development | The 2nd Asian Philanthropy Forum Opens in Grand Style, with Nearly 400 Chinese and Foreign Guests Discussing the Globalization of Asian Philanthropy》

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.

Two people with intellectual disabilities working on the production line at Inclusion Factory

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.

Job Coaches from Germany training people with intellectual disabilities

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.

Inclusion Factory trainers provide personalized assessments for people with intellectual disabilities

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.

People with intellectual disabilities participate in safety production system training

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.

Customized clamping devices developed for people with intellectual disabilities

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.

Trainers coach people with intellectual disabilities on operating equipment

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.

Inclusion Advisory team conducting disability awareness workshops for teenagers

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.

New factory building completed in 2023

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.

Board members from clients visit the production line at Inclusion Factory, witnessing the production of the 7.5 millionth Manhumle safety valve

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.

A worker with intellectual disabilities working on the production line

Chairman Cheng Kai of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation visits Inclusion Factory for an in-depth investigation of 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.

At the beginning of April, the SAP Labs Network Global Executives held a week-long management event in Shanghai, with Inclusion Factory having the privilege of being one of the sites for their “Corporate Social Responsibility” segment.

On April 10th, we welcomed the distinguished guests from the SAP Labs Network Global Executives, and we were deeply honored to showcase to them the efforts and achievements of Inclusion Factory in promoting employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Global Executives touring the factory production line

SAP, as a significant partner of Inclusion Factory, has not only provided valuable technical support but also developed customized intelligent quality inspection robots. This robot acts as a “third eye” for our employees, ensuring that our product quality consistently meets the highest standards.

We would like to express our gratitude once again to the SAP Labs Network Global Executives for their visit and support. Technology can be a force for good, and its power can be closely integrated with philanthropy, empowering partners with disabilities to achieve equal employment opportunities, overcome their limitations, and showcase their talents in the workplace. This interdisciplinary collaboration reveals endless possibilities for us. Through deep communication and close cooperation, we believe that together we can create more value for social welfare initiatives!

the SAP Labs Network Global Executives capturing a group photo at factory