Kohler: A Success Saga

Instructions: Edit the following write up and give a suitable headline. Time limit: 1 hr 15 mins

Name: Omer Nazir

Kohler: A success Saga

If we look back and look ahead, the name Kohler is but a speck in its rich and dynamic history of 137 years. Founded by an Austrian immigrant, John Michael Kohler in 1873, the saga of Kohler started with acquisition of Sheboygan Union Iron and Steel Foundry. The early product - line was limited to cast iron and steel farm implements, casting for furniture factories and ornamental iron piece like cemetery crosses and settees. However, it took a decade for a breakthrough to come in. In 1883, John Michael applied enamel to cast iron horse trough leading to invention of first ever BATHTUB. The innovation transcended into the saga of success that is evident from company's growth and magnanimous workforce of 30 thousand. The success story of Kohler is reflective of its values and goals coupled with consistency in execution to achieve them.

The leadership team of the company is yet another aspect that adds flavor to success story of Kohler. In an interview with our team, Ms. Laura E Kohler, Sr. VP - HR - Kohler Co. reasserted that Kohler is the biggest and largest player in plumbing business around the world. She further comments that employees of the company played as important role as customers in making the company successful. According to her the company created a holistically learning atmosphere characterized by in-house training programs and sessions from external consultants. Ms. Laura was of the opinion that Kohler can set benchmarks for the corporations by employing skilled staff and retaining them by virtue of maintaining a good employee - employer relation.

One other aspect that has lead to the success of Kohler is belief in "innovation". Innovation has been central to business strategy of Kohler and the company is working hard in terms of finding innovative solutions for water conservation. Research is being done to find out the ways of minimizing use of water in way that refreshing bathing experience is not compromised.

In terms of diversity on business, Kohler Co. has ventures into Standby Power Business, Luxury furniture and Hospitality. In India, Kohler employs 2000 people and considers it to be the best country for strategic investments. The company aims to take the top position in the country as they have done in China. When asked about what strategy company considers to achieve the top spot in plumbing business in India, the VP -HR, Ms Laura said that understanding the customer needs and developing products and services according would be the key for success. She further commented that company is focusing on their retail strategy at the moment and have opened some exclusive showrooms with some of the biggest hotels and infrastructure developers as their clients. Finally, she said that revamping the bathing experience of Indian customers is the vision of the company and Kohler with a range of total bathing solutions will realize that vision.

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