The Kohler Dynasty – 200 Years of Lavatory History Down the Drain?
Do you like this story?
We all pretty much know that a lavatory faucet or bathroom faucet is simply a valve for controlling the discharge of water into a bathroom sink. We also know that these bathroom faucets add uniqueness and style to our bathroom décor. But have you ever wondered who these creative geniuses’ are and where they came from, the ones that create the bathroom fixtures that we make use of and take for granted everyday. Kohler Company is one of the largest privately operated businesses in the United States and is best known for its line of toilets, sinks, baths and other bathroom fixtures.
Kohler was first established in 1873 as Kohler & Siberzahn and was later incorporated as Kohler Company in 1887 when Charles Siberzahn sold his shares in the company. Ten years after the company’s inception in 1883, John M Kohler took a product from his line of merchandise, heated it to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit and sprinkled it with enamel powder. This initiation marked the beginning of Kohler’s journey into the plumbing business and put the company on the path of industry leader that it is today. Today Kohler is owned and operated by a small circle of family members who descended from the founder. Chairman Herbert Kohler Jr. and his sister Ruth Kohler run Kohler. With its corporate headquarters in Wisconsin, it is one of the states largest employers. Kohler has a diversified portfolio which also includes electric generators, small engines, furniture manufacturing and hospitality and real estate as well as its plumbing products for both consumer and trade markets.
Craftsmanship and quality have always been a hallmark of Kohler products and in 1929 the company had their products included in an exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art celebrating the artistic qualities of the bath.
Kohler makes bathroom and kitchen products under the names of Kohler, Hytec and Sterling. And its main competitors are Crane plumbing, Masco which owns Delta Faucets, and Moen.
The company’s motto is: “Art, innovation, and life.” From Mexico to China, to Japan and France, Kohler is on the cutting edge of ideas, craftsmanship and technology. Kohler has acquired much of its growth through its many acquisitions of other companies such as Illinois-based Sterling Faucet Company and Baker, Knapp & Tubbs and Jacob Delafon, a plumbing products manufacturer and has increasingly ventured overseas to broaden its portfolio. In 1985, Kohler opened a 36, 000 square foot Kohler Design Center to showcase its plumbing fixtures, faucets, engines, generators as well as its furniture and tile products.
Today with annual sales of over 5 Billion dollars a year Kohler has come a long way from the initial purchase price of $5,000 of an iron foundry by John Michael Kohler and Charles Siberzahn. And with subsidiaries all around the globe, Kohler has grown to be one of the top three bathroom product manufacturers on the planet. 33,000 employees world wide and with over 200 years of history and innovation Kohler is poised to stay at the forefront of bathroom decorating trends and continue to offer something unique for every taste.
This post was written by: Joe Robert
Joe Robert is a professional blogger, web designer and front end web developer. Follow him on Twitter
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 Responses to “The Kohler Dynasty – 200 Years of Lavatory History Down the Drain?”
November 21, 2017 at 7:12 PM
useful information on topics that plenty are interested on for this wonderful post.Admiring the time and effort you put into your b!..
Bathroom Products
Post a Comment