Anna Nowag and her colleagues at Refratechnik Ceramics in Melle, Germany, congratulate Refratechnik on its 75th anniversary!
Maximum concentration required! This is how people worked in the technical office in the 1950s.
The wheel of life
This year we came together to pay tribute to Refratechnik on the occasion of its 75th birthday.
I remember my beginnings in January 1990 with some nostalgia.

I started at Refratechnik with a completely different way of working than we know today. With a typewriter, carbon paper to make copies, then the first MS-DOS computers. We worked in small, dark offices where cigarette smoke accompanied us. Over time, the company grew spectacularly, and in 2002, good news arrived: A new office building was going to be built. A new space that would reflect some of our progress. It was spectacular!
The wheel of life.
Those children we started together are now parents of adult boys and girls.
I remember with affection the companions who made this journey possible.
The people who taught us are now enjoying their retirement, although sadly some of them are no longer with us. And new generations are giving way to a more modern and brighter Refratechnik.
Thank you Refratechnik for giving us the opportunity to grow together and share experiences.
Carme Albornà Ponseti, Refratechnik Ibérica
Looking to the future: Refratechnik 2100 - innovation meets values
We are looking 75 years further into the future: In the year 2100, the world has changed profoundly - and Refratechnik has not only experienced these changes, but has actively helped to shape them as a global pulse that beats with passion and innovation. At the same time, strong values are a constant in the way we work together. Our corporate culture is at the heart of our success.
Even in the year 2100, our customer focus is evident not only in our technology, but in every detail of our customer service. Every solution is tailored precisely to the needs of our partners, because we understand their challenges and are often even one step ahead of them. With artificial intelligence and real-time analysis, we can anticipate what our customers will need tomorrow. We not only develop products, but also create experiences for our customers that go far beyond pure technology. And one thing is always clear: people are at the heart of every solution - going the extra mile for our customers is standard for us.
Refratechnik’s global growth path remains in harmony with our family spirit. At a time when companies are often becoming impersonal, we have a culture of cohesion and respect. Colleagues work flexibly and are globally networked, but you can feel the warmth of family togetherness in every digital encounter. When we celebrate successes, we do so together - often virtually and in 3D, but always with genuine appreciation and joy.
Learning and growing are also part of our DNA in 2100. Refratechnik continues to focus on the continuous development of all employees. Thanks to individual learning paths and virtual training, everyone can develop in the direction that suits their own strengths. Every employee knows that their contribution counts and that they can actively shape the future of Refratechnik. Our managers encourage this by creating space for innovation and personal responsibility, strengthening trust and developing potential.
Our awareness of the environment and our responsibility towards society also continue to shape us: all our processes are geared towards sustainability, from resource conservation to social responsibility. Our production facilities are emission-free and we are leaders in the recycling of raw materials. The Alexander Tutsek Foundation also plays a central role in this period by supporting innovative social projects worldwide. Our teams around the world actively contribute to this - the heart of a family business always beats for society.
Even after another 75 years, Refratechnik will be more than just a workplace - it will be a place where values are lived and shared, where innovation and humanity go hand in hand. We are a company that remains true to itself by continuously developing. It is the interplay of family values, passion and a shared vision that has made us strong for 75 years - and will continue to accompany us for the next 75 years.
Here’s to the next 75 years!
Kathrin Gielsdorf