Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/518838
Kohler Company: A family, community and global legacy G enerators and bathtubs? Fine dining and signature chocolates? A Five-Star, Five-Diamond resort … and world-class golf? Ask Kohler President and CEO David Kohler what ties them all together and he'll tell you that it all fits within the company's mission: "To enhance the level of gracious living for all those people touched by our products and services." Kohler Company employs 32,000 people and runs 50 manufacturing locations on six continents. The family-owned, $5.8 billion company enjoys the No. 1 market share in plumbing fixtures in both the United States and China. All operations are headquartered in Kohler, Sheboygan County — population 2,000. "We really try to live our mission and focus on how we can improve the lives of our consumers and associates and people in the communities where we operate," says Kohler, eighth president and fourth-generation leader of the family-owned company since 2009. David Kohler officially added the title CEO on June 1 when he succeeded in the role his father held since 1972. Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., serves as Executive Chairman. "Our No. 1 guiding principle is to live on the leading edge of design and technology, and we're very focused on innovation," David Kohler adds. "Our second guiding principle is to produce only one single standard of quality in everything we do. So whether it's your experience on Whistling Straits or having a meal at the Horse & Plow restaurant or buying a Kohler plumbing product or Kohler engine, we want to have a single level of quality that stands the test of time." Austrian immigrant John Michael Kohler, David Kohler's great- C O U R T E S Y K O H L E R C O . grandfather, founded Kohler Company in 1873 as a foundry that produced cast iron and steel products, and 10 years later developed a process that resulted in the cast-iron, enamel bathtub. (Incidentally, Walter J. Kohler Sr. and Walter J. Kohler, Jr., also descendants of John Michael Kohler, both served in leadership roles with Kohler Company and as governor of Wisconsin, from 1929-31 and 1951-57, respectively.) In 1920, Kohler added the Power Systems business with the introduction of the world's first engine-powered electric generator. It soon added a plant that produced faucets and other brass accessories and became a full-line plumbing products manufacturer — a line it continually improved upon with trendy designs and colors. It began producing and marketing small engines in 1948, opening plants in South Carolina and Mexico and China, the start of its global reach. In 1986, Kohler entered the interiors business, expanding with international acquisitions of furniture, cabinetry, tile and stone companies. The Hospitality division of Kohler has earned the company international accolades, especially for its golf. The Straits, on Lake Michigan, was ranked No. 4 in GolfWeek's 2015 Best Resort Courses and No. 22 in Golf Digest's 2015-2016 America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses. The Irish at Whistling Straits, just inland, was ranked No. 35 in GolfWeek's 2015 Best Resort Courses and No. 47 in Golf Digest's 2015-16 America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses. (At Blackwolf Run is the River Course and The Meadow Valleys Course.) Kohler operates 12 restaurants from casual dining at Horse & Plow to fine dining at the Immigrant Restaurant at the American Club. J u n e 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 27 Kohler Waters Spa, Kohler Kitchen & bath The American Club in Kohler. Kohler generators