Kohler
With a diverse portfolio of brands and products that share a singular level of quality craftsmanship, Kohler Co. has long been recognized as a leader in bath and kitchen design. Look at the products Kohler has developed.
Form and Function (1900-1920s)
In 1911, Kohler introduced the one-piece, built-in bathtub. More sanitary and attractive than its predecessors, it was considered an industry revolution since it artfully eliminated all crevices, joints and seams.
Introduced in 1926, the electric sink was an ingenious combination of a conventional sink and the dishwasher that would become commonplace 20 years later. Since most people did not have enough hot water in their homes to successfully operate the fixture, the electric sink was soon reduced to a footnote in Kohler's long history of innovation.
From 1925 to 1927, toilets and wash basins made of vitreous china were added, transforming the single-line company into a full-line manufacturer. Brass faucets, showerheads and other plumbing fittings in chromium and gold were added to the company's product offering in the late 1920s.
In 1927, the company introduced bathroom sets-a bathtub, toilet and lavatory-in matching colors. The innovation showed a concern for aesthetics and manufacturing ingenuity for matching colors across a range of materials and dissimilar processes.From that point on, Kohler plumbing products meant beautiful form as much as reliable function.
THE BOLD LOOK OF KOHLER (1960s)
The decade marked the launch of THE BOLD LOOK OF KOHLER, an advertising campaign and array of exciting new plumbing products in vivid accent colors.
The campaign was also significant because it solidified a culture and attitude within the company.
Blueberry, Citron, Antique Red, Coppertone, Expresso, and Jade offered a dramatic departure from the pastels which had been popular for almost four decades. But color was just the beginning.
A rush of leading edge plumbing products also included:
- Whirlpool baths in an array of shapes and sizes
- Big kitchen sinks for big homes, and compact models for small apartments
- Lightweight, easy to clean fiberglass shower modules
- Faucets with interchangeable handle inserts
Art, Innovation, Life (1990s and Beyond)
As consumers began to spend more quality time at home, Kohler continued to meet their needs with a fresh approach to product design.
Kohler advanced the trend toward increased luxury in the home by fostering the master suite concept. Console tables and bath vanities shared a unity of design with bedroom furnishings.
Electronics and other technological improvements enhanced the bathing experience and also contributed to an array of stylish toilets, faucets and showerheads engineered to promote water conservation. Innovative showering products and luxurious whirlpool baths transformed bathrooms into relaxing retreats in an otherwise fast-paced world. Decorative fixtures, textured surfaces and expressive colors elevated the rituals of everyday living to an art form.
Growth From Within and Outside
In 1984, Kohler began an acquisitions program to supplement the company's internal growth with new materials, products and markets.
It also brought synergistic manufacturing facilities and direct access to new markets.
Based at Kohler Co.'s corporate headquarters in Kohler, Wisconsin, the Kitchen & Bath Group today encompasses an extensive family of businesses around the world that manufacture plumbing products, cabinetry and tile, not only under the Kohler brand, but also many other brands within the Kohler family.
