The RAFI Sustainability Report 2022

Over the course of 120 years, RAFI has grown to become an international high-tech company. We owe this accomplishment to the people who have contributed their knowledge and dedication to the undertaking since 1900.

The focus has always been on a singular topic: responsibility. Responsibility for our products, for our solutions, for society, and for the environment. That is also why sustainability has always been a key component of our culture. You can read about what this means exactly in our Sustainability Report.

RAFI Group

Sustainability Report 2023

Download Sustainability report 2023

Our focal points

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In essence, this formulates 17 goals for global sustainable development (Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs). The SDGs map indicators for achieving global prosperity and peace. They operate within the three dimensions of sustainability (ecological, social, economic), abolish intergenerational conflicts and respect the earth's natural limits.

Sustainability is not a static state, but can only function in the long term and in processes. Every individual, and therefore every company, can and should contribute to the achievement of the SDGs in everyday practice.

With a view to the diverse opportunities for the RAFI Group to influence the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, four key topics were filtered out of the entire spectrum of SDGs. These are equally central to the sustainable development of the RAFI Group as a company, involving stakeholders from business, society and the environment.

SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure

Innovation and a pioneering spirit are integral components of RAFI’s DNA and have always driven our company’s success in the realms of both business and corporate social responsibility. With our innovative, customized HMI solutions, we enable particularly user-friendly interaction between machine and operator. The shorter response and adjustment times resulting from this make it easier to use our products in energy-efficient operation.

Together with our customers, we work on efficiencyoptimized electronic assemblies for electro-mobility. As a member of the Component Obsolescence Group Germany (COGD), we are committed to sustainable obsolescence management. This means increasing the longevity of electronic products through improved component and material availability and making product development more resource-efficient overall.

SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

Decent work and economic growth form the universal foundation for social progress. This is why RAFI ensures compliance with applicable labor law and fair compensation for all employees at all locations.

With our sustainable growth strategy focused on the future viability of the company, we are committed to providing training and qualifications to junior staff and to ensuring that employees are able to reconcile the responsibilities of their family with those of their career. We also offer additional social and health benefits to all RAFI employees. Beyond our internal structures, we also look at our upstream suppliers. We use a systematic supplier management system to evaluate suppliers according to aspects such as integrity, environmental sustainability, and adherence to social standards.

SDG 13: Climate protection measures

In order not to overstretch the earth's resources and natural limits, the drastic reduction of CO2 emissions is unavoidable.

At our headquarters in Berg, we have been using combined heat, power and cooling as a resource-saving heating and energy source since 2013. We generate 40% of our own electricity requirements using photovoltaics; we converted the remaining supply to 100% green electricity at our German sites in 2019.

All product development and manufacturing is geared toward responsible, efficient use of energy and materials. To this end, we systematically monitor our processes and uncover optimization potential, particularly in the area of production equipment.

SDG 3: Health and well-being

A clean environment, a healthy lifestyle and good medical care have a decisive influence on human well-being. In addition to the health of our employees, for whom we have installed a wide range of benefits as part of our occupational health management system, we also contribute to achieving this goal as a manufacturer and supplier of medical technology.

In direct cooperation with customers and users, we consistently drive forward the technological development of our medical technology products in order to promote people's health worldwide.

GROWING SUSTAINABLY