RWD was founded in 1988 by Dr. Robert W. Deutsch, with the primary goal of helping large U.S.-based manufacturing companies regain their competitive advantage in a global economy.
In its earliest years the company focused on the automotive industry, where its approach toward human performance support greatly benefited the plant floor workers who operated complex technology systems.
RWD formed a close business relationship with Chrysler Corporation, providing performance support services specifically to train personnel to launch new vehicles. Within a few years, RWD established a strong business relationship with Ford Motor Company to help the company use lean manufacturing methodologies in one of its engine plants. Over time, RWD developed contracts with Ford to assist in the implementation of the Ford Production System at its factories around the world.
In the early 1990s, RWD provided training and documentation for Dow Chemical as it implemented the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) multi-module business application, SAP. RWD's substantial success in developing and implementing a highly effective adult learning model for enterprise systems led to numerous large contracts to help with global SAP implementations.
Over subsequent years, RWD extended these services to include Oracle, PeopleSoft and other ERP packages. RWD has always had a very strong IT capability. Since its earliest years, RWD has developed state-of-the-art custom information technology systems including the Holiday Inn Worldwide Reservation System, the Chrysler Mopar Diagnostic System—which is currently used by 5,000 auto dealerships throughout North America—as well as a sophisticated data mining and analysis surveillance system for the National Association of Securities Dealers.
In April 2011, RWD was acquired by GP Strategies. GP Strategies is a global performance improvement solutions provider of sales and technical training, e-Learning solutions, management consulting and engineering services. GP’s solutions improve the effectiveness of organizations by delivering innovative and superior training, consulting and business improvement services, customized to meet the specific needs of its clients. Clients include Fortune 500 companies, manufacturing, process and energy industries, and other commercial and government customers. Additional information may be found at http://www.gpworldwide.com.