Kohler enters a new era

MANILA, Philippines - We look at this as a new era — an Asian era,” Kohler Co. Kitchen & Bath Asia president Larry Yuen declared. Kohler, one of the oldest and largest privately-held companies in the US, is celebrating its 140th year, while Kohler Philippines heralds it 25th year in the business. “The company is very focused on Asia Pacific, and particularly in Southeast Asia which we believe to be a growth engine for us,” Yuen told The STAR during the evening’s festivities at Solaire. “The Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia will be very important to us — what we call the VIP market.”

“We want to deepen our relationship in Southeast Asian market with designers, developers,” Yuen adds, “and, at the end, consumers.”

Kohler and The Gang

Kohler originated in Wisconsin, when company founder John Michael Kohler left Austria to settle in the US, purchasing Sheboygan Union Iron and Steel Foundry, which would lead to the first cast iron bathtub that herald the beginning of the bathroom magnate’s business.

Today, Kohler can be found all over the Philippines and counts Solaire as one of its biggest projects to date (the hotel and casino utilizes all Kohler fixtures, including all its 400 rooms).

“We’ve done a billion dollars in business in Asia alone,” Kohler CEO David Kohler informed The STAR at the Kitchen and Bath Show in New Orleans.

kohler effect

“Entertainment is a big thing today,” Yuen explains, â€œthe Moxie has music, the Numi, our high-end toilet, also has music and a tablet.”

At the Solaire celebration, Kohler debuted its latest collection, including the Moxie, a showerhead with a removable wireless speaker that plays music via Bluetooth, and the new Numi Plus, a tablet-powered toilet that offers warmed seats, bidet functionality, built-in speakers, motion-activated lid and seat, ambient light and an emergency flush, in case of a black out or power outage.

Their latest collections include water-saving innovations like the Class Five flushing technology, which “maximizes the natural force of water to deliver bulk flushing power while saving on water.” With over 30 percent water saved, it’s one of the most eco-efficient products in the market today.

Kohler is known for its artist collections, artfully designed bathroom fixtures like glass or ceramic bowls in pretty motifs. Pretty fixtures are the heart of the latest collections, with scratch- and tarnish-resistant PVD finishes in warm brushed tones and brilliant polished hues. On the other end of the spectrum is their Strayt Decorative faucets, which boast architectural lines and bold minimalist forms.

 â€œThe market here enjoys contemporary styles and, at the same time, a substantial segment enjoys the traditional side with interesting colors and textures,” Yuen says. “They know with Kohler they get something that’s different from other brands on the market.”

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Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, engines and power generation systems, cabinetry, tile, and home interiors, and an international host to awardwinning hospitality and world-class golf destinations. For inquiries, call +639178589071 or visit kohler.ph or facebook.com/kohlerphilippines.