Looking forward to a cocktail party celebration is not unusual; however, looking forward to a 50th anniversary celebration event at a plumbing supply shop does not appear, on its face, to be the best way to spend an evening.
And yet, when I was invited to join the festivities at Kohler, noted for its bathroom/kitchen products that include toilets and toilet seats, showers, bathtubs, faucets, sinks, vanities and mirrors, I marked the date and time very carefully (cannot arrive too early or too late). I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to browse among the faucets and fixtures that define the Bold Look of Kohler.
While noted for plumbing fixtures, the company also manufactures furniture, cabinetry, tile, engines, and generators. Kohler Interiors includes Baker Furniture, McGuire Furniture, Kallista, Ann Sacks Tile and Mark David. The Hospitality and Real Estate group embraces management, marketing and tourism promotion for its golf courses, hotels, private clubs, shops, restaurants, and company sponsored / village events. Kohler employs more than 30,000 people on six continents.
The Bathtub
1911. Kohler introduces the first one-piece built-in bath with an integral apron
John Michael Kohler left Austria (1854) with his father and arrived in the USA at the age of 10. His father had purchased a majority interest in the Union Iron and Steel Foundry in Sheboygan, Wisconsin from his father-in-law, Jacob Vollrath for $5000. Although the country was in a recession, he continued to make cast iron implements for farmers, small castings for local furniture factories and ornamental hitching posts, urns, benches and cemetery crosses.
In 1883 Kohler developed enamel powder. To see the effects of the powder on his products, he took a large rectangular basin, heated it to 1700 degrees F., sprinkled on the powder and called it the Horse Trough/ Hog Scalder, added four legs, turned it into a bathtub and the rest is history.
As a politician and philanthropist Kohler became Mayor of Sheboygan and built the first opera house. The Kohler tradition was carried forward by his son, Walter, who built The American Club as a temporary home for European immigrants and is now an important part of the Wisconsin tourism industry. In 1951 Walter Kohler was elected Governor of Wisconsin and served for three terms. His philosophy followed the words of John Ruskin, “Life without labor is guilt. Labor without art is brutality.
Today, Kohler is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held businesses and, as of June 2016, Forbes estimated Kohler’s net worth at $9.1 billion. The company is ranked by Fortune among the Top 25 most important US private companies.
Mission
The corporate mission is to, “Improve your sense of gracious living in every experience you have with a Kohler product or service.” To this end, the company links design with technology and delivers functional works of art that makes the daily grind of taking a shower or a bath, using the toilet, or looking in the mirror to reaffirm how great we look – almost pleasant.
Why the Party
The Kohler Design Center, located in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, is a showcase for the products of Kohler and the free-flowing Prosecco was poured to recognize the 50th anniversary of working with Robern.
Bernie Myers, Robern Founder
The Robern organization was started in 1968 by Rosa and Bernie Meyers who designed personalized spaces for their clients. In 1995, Robern became part of the Kohler group. Currently it combines technology with style and works with designers, architects and consumers who want modern, sophisticated cabinetry, vanities, mirrors and lighting. The evening highlighted the newest mix of decorative mirrors with technology.
The Robern AiO Wall Mirror combines a mirror, task lighting, integrated USB Ports and audio capability.
Kohler Leadership
Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. Executive Chair, Kohler. Noted for bringing “glamour, gloss and world-caliber golf” (Rick Rommel, 2015) to the conservative/traditional manufacturing company. He continues to direct the hospitality and real estate group.
David Kohler, President and CEO
A Few of My Favorite Kohler Products
SLIPPER CLAWFOOT TUB – LION PAW FEET
The Party
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