‘SCHICHTWECHSEL’ job swap initiative – Action day brings together colleagues in mainstream employment with employees from sheltered workshops
Thalfang, 25.09.2025
The ‘Schichtwechsel’ action day has been organised and supported by the Federal Association of Workshops for Disabled People since 2019. Its aim is to use the shared experience of work as a basis for interaction, creating new perspectives and breaking down prejudices and stereotypes.
Hochwald is taking part with four locations across Germany this year, giving interested employees from its plants and administration teams an interesting insight into participating workshops for a day. In return, the sites in Lüneburg, Kaiserslautern, Mechernich and Thalfang will welcome employees from these organisations to give them first-hand experience of the company and the work involved in milk production.
The main plant in Thalfang has partnered with Diakonie Werkstatt Asbacher Hütte and Rhein Mosel Werkstatt gGmbH in Simmern. “I would never have imagined how much commitment and skill goes into the wide range of tasks here. Everyone is employed and supported according to their abilities, and that has left a lasting impression on me,” says Stefan Burr, who works in Procurement. Plant manager Jürgen Wolf from the Mechernich site is also very much in favour of the action day, “We learn a lot from each other throughout the day, including things that go beyond our everyday work routines. The change of perspective is enriching for both sides.” Our partner in Mechernich is Nordeifel Werkstätten – an organisation which gives our colleagues the opportunity to experience its diverse work opportunities. The site in Kaiserslautern already took part in the action day last year. Employees are very much looking forward to this year’s ‘Schichtwechsel’, which is set to take place at the start of October together with Zoar Werkstätten Kaiserslautern. The Lüneburg plant has enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with SOS Hof Bockum for years. Trainees from there learn about agricultural activities and cheese production at Hof Bockum. Holger Marxen, a vocational trainer at the site, is a firm believer in the long-standing collaboration, “It’s always amazing to see how much enthusiasm and commitment the guest employees bring to the day at our company. That kind of drive is contagious!”
Everyone involved agrees on how valuable the experiences gained during the day are. Immersing yourself in a previously unknown world with real obstacles and challenges puts your own situation into perspective. As for our guests, the sheer scale of our plants is often such an impressive experience that they talk about it for days afterwards.
The action day is actively supported by management and the managers of each participating plant. In the best case scenario, personal interaction leads to lasting connections or even employment opportunities at our plants. But even if that’s not possible due to personal, physical, or mental needs, the interaction helps both sides understand each other better, breaks down barriers and prejudices, and makes us think about our social responsibility in a meaningful way.
About Hochwald Foods GmbH:
Hochwald Foods GmbH is based in Thalfang, Rhineland-Palatinate. Its production facilities in Germany and the Netherlands cover the entire spectrum of dairy products. Hochwald owns well-known brands such as Bärenmarke, Lünebest, Glücksklee, Elinas, Tuffi and Hochwald, as well as trademarks and international brands such as Bonny. www.hochwald.de
Contact:
Kathrin Lorenz
Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 6504 12-5129
Email: k.lorenz@hochwald.de
