25 years of inclusion and participation: Elbe-Werkstätten and STILL celebrate their anniversary
A quarter of a century of inclusion, participation in the workplace and mutual respect was celebrated last week by STILL and Elbe-Werkstätten, an organisation dedicated to the vocational integration of people with disabilities. This is how long the partnership agreement between the two organisations has been in place. On average, 20 to 25 Elbe-Werkstätten employees work at STILL as part of the spare parts packaging team. They help to ensure that spare parts are dispatched reliably, quickly and in perfect condition, which is a key part of STILL’s brand philosophy and a service that customers greatly appreciate.
Employees at the Elbe-Werkstätten also value their jobs at STILL. "Our colleagues enjoy coming to work and feel valued and respected. They are an integral part of the team and are fully integrated. Seeing this every day shows us just how valuable and enriching inclusion is,” says André Wanagat, who coordinates the partnership with the Elbe-Werkstätten at STILL.
Inclusion in practice: The STILL sponsorship scheme
STILL's mentoring scheme also promotes integration and cohesion. Each Elbe-Werkstätten employee is assigned a personal mentor from the STILL workforce who is there to provide support whenever it is needed. Over the last 25 years, the scheme has not only proved its worth, but has also led to personal friendships and a sense of connection that extends beyond work.
25 years of STILL and Elbe-Werkstätten – a milestone worth celebrating
The anniversary celebrations were attended by STILL staff from the spare parts warehouse, Elbe-Werkstätten employees, plant manager Eric Hagenow, and HR managers Roman Strecker and Jelte Elvers. Eric Hagenow thanked everyone involved on behalf of the company for their productive collaboration, and the Elbe-Werkstätten staff for their reliable support. Jelte Elvers also presented the 'silver anniversary forklift' to symbolise the close bond between the two organisations. This forklift truck model had been specially designed for the occasion by trainees in the training workshop using personalised 3D printing.
Inclusion at STILL – an integral part of sustainable corporate governance
The partnership with Elbe-Werkstätten is one of many examples of inclusion and social responsibility in practice at STILL: from the ongoing support for social projects – such as the Mittagskinder Foundation or the Wilhelmsburg Production School – to the bespoke manufacture of a forklift truck for people of short stature or the promotion of joint sporting activities, these projects are cornerstones of sustainability and active responsibility at STILL. Further information on this can be found in the latest STILL Sustainability Report 2025.
