The history of REFA |
REFA growth after World War I
REFA Bundesverband e.V. always treated itself as a partner offering knowledge in the effective organisation of work, the organisation of production plants, and the development of businesses. Following the First World War, REFA not only survived but even rose to become one of the largest private educational institutions in German. This was possible because with the constantly changing economic and technological demands, the association spotted a requirement for substance-related and structural changes in the methods and means of education.
Right from the start, REFA was an active partner of business institutions. On 30 September 1924 in Berlin the founding members, managers of such companies as AEG, Borgis, Loewe and Siemens, formed under Erich Kothe’s guidance the “Reichsausschuss für Arbeitsermittlung” (National Committee for the Study of Work), known by the abbreviation REFA. Two years of scrupulous work were sufficient to create the foundations for the future REFA. The first courses conducted in Berlin proved a success. They were later to be held as a model for courses organised throughout Germany.
In summer 1924 the ‘Handbook for preliminary calculation of working time’ compiled by Hegner caused a storm in industry. This handbook challenged all previous books published. The materials brought together in Hegner’s book were used in courses organised for industry, and he was REFA’s first lecturer.
Inspiration from the USA
The basis of REFA’s activity is measurement of working time. America became an example: Frederick Winslow Taylor, in his phenomenal book ‘Shop Management’, outlined for the first time the importance of time study for the modern management of an enterprise. As well as Taylor there was also Gillberth, who designed motion study. The two published their reflections, and acknowledged each other’s work, but there was no lasting cooperation between them.
Expansion of operations
The intention of REFA’s founders was to collect all works dealing with identifying task time, to verify these works and make them available to the public in a uniform format enabling independent study and constituting the foundation for courses conducted. From the early ‘30s REFA was involved in work study and the valuation of work. Young engineers, interested in the approach and hungry for knowledge, strove for this new area of science in droves. Following years of stagnation, the reviving industry was demanding scientific support in rebuilding the economy.
REFA’s goal was to define profitable solutions in regard to production possibilities and the requirements of working people. Before long workflow time was developed. Time study assumes that identifying task time will impose the necessity of depicting flow in detail and its rationalisation. This was the first revolutionary achievement in the history of REFA. The second achievement was the development of a work study based on measuring, estimating and shaping work systems.
REFA always has strived to implement theoretical and scientific solutions in practice. As a result, REFA’s solutions may be applied in plants of all sizes, and above all in medium and small enterprises.
Mission
REFA introduces rationalisation not only in production, but also in services and management. The training courses offered by REFA play a fundamental role in a unique method of educating adults, because REFA trainers combine theoretical knowledge with professional experience in production and administration. Knowledge, competences, skills and understanding are essential for the practical rationalisation of work, and the fundamental elements of the system of education according to REFA.
Beata Nowaczyk
Tel. +48 61 827 94 10
Fax. +48 61 827 94 11
Kom. +48 602 718 555
beata.nowaczyk@refa.poznan.pl