As early as in the 1930s, Kohler products and China formed a deep affinity, when many famous buildings in Shanghai, such as Shanghai Jinjiang Hotel, Daguang Cinema and so on used Kohler sanitary ware.
In 1995, Kohler's China office was established in Hong Kong, and Kohler officially entered the Chinese market.
In 1999, Kohler set up its China headquarter in Shanghai, and successively set up offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Shenzhen. So far, Kohler has 10 factories more than 500 regular showrooms and a dozen flagship stores in China.
In August 1995, Kohler set up a wholly owned factory in Foshan with an area of 60,000 square meters, producing more than one million Kohler ceramic pieces annually.
In 1998, Kohler established a wholly owned plant in Beijing to produce faucets.
In December 1998, Kohler established a wholly owned factory in Shanghai Pudong Xinghuo Development Zone to produce cast iron bathtubs, acrylic bathtubs, Jacuzzi series, and the newly developed cast iron kitchen sinks series. 1999, Kohler has formally possessed the production capacity of the full line of sanitary ware products in China.
In 2002, Kohler (China) Investment Co., Ltd. was established in Shanghai as Kohler's Asia Pacific headquarters.
In 2003, Kohler Global Power Systems also settled in China, establishing a wholly-owned factory in Changzhou to produce alternators and other products.
In 2005, the Nanchang leading factory was successfully completed, which is equipped with advanced production technologies and processes, and can be said to be a new milestone for Kohler in the Chinese market, which marks that Kohler's development in China has been accelerated, and its complete and comprehensive layout will greatly enhance its comprehensive and rapid feedback and service capabilities to the Chinese market, especially the central and western markets.
In 2007, Kohler successively established a factory in Changshu to produce cabinetry products, officially launching the cabinetry business in China; set up a factory in Chongqing to produce generators and engine equipment; and set up a Kohler electronics factory in Shanghai Jinqiao Development Zone.
On December 1, 2008, Kohler acquired Zhuhai Jiade Kitchen & Bath Products Co. The company is located in Xinqing Industrial Park, Doumen, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, covering an area of more than 49,000 square meters, and mainly produces stainless steel sinks and related accessories;
On December 26, 2008, Kohler acquired Gafon Sanitary Ware (Zhongshan) Ltd. which is located in the Export Processing Zone of Zhongshan Port and covers an area of more than 20,000 square meters, and mainly produces shower enclosures, shower trays, integrated bathrooms, steam rooms and bathtubs and other products.
Each Kohler factory strictly follows Kohler's globally unified quality standards.
The Chinese market has become an important part of Kohler's global strategy. Nowadays, Kohler products are used in many high-class residences, Grade A office buildings and five-star hotels in China, such as the main venue of the Beijing 08 Olympic Games - Bird's Nest, Olympic Village, Water Cube, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Shanghai F1 International Circuit, Shanghai JW Marriott Ultra 5-Star Hotel, China's first tallest building Jinmao Tower, China Grand Hotel in Guangzhou and Sheraton Hotel in Guangzhou. The Kohler brand has become an important symbol of Chinese consumers' pursuit of a perfect home life.
In China, Kohler, positioned in the mid-range and high-end, requires every product to be as dynamic and exquisite as a work of art, touching people's desire for an elegant quality of life. Each Kohler factory strictly follows Kohler's globally unified quality standards, and the products comply with the American ASME/ANSIA112.19.2M standard.