Kohler is a well-known plumbing fixtures brand that produces a wide range of bathroom and kitchen products including toilets, faucets, bathtubs, and sinks. With its headquarters in Kohler, Wisconsin, some people assume that all Kohler products are made in the USA. However, like many large brands, Kohler has a complex global manufacturing and supply chain. So is Kohler made in China or somewhere else? Let’s take a closer look.
Brief History of Kohler Company
The Kohler Company was founded in 1873 by John Michael Kohler in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Kohler began by making farm implements but soon transitioned to producing enameled steel and cast iron bathtubs and sinks. In the early 1900s, Kohler introduced their first drinking fountains and toilet tanks.
Over the next century, Kohler expanded their plumbing products catalog and opened manufacturing facilities domestically and worldwide. Key events include:
– 1917: Opened first manufacturing plant outside Wisconsin in Ohio
– 1954: Opened plant in Canada
– 1960s: Expanded to Mexico and South America
– 1970s: Expanded to Europe, Asia, Australia
– 1989: Opened plant in China
Today, Kohler is a global operation with over 30,000 employees worldwide and products sold in over 140 countries.
Where are Kohler Faucets Manufactured?
When it comes to faucets specifically, Kohler manufactures their products in the following countries:
– United States – Kohler, Wisconsin and Sheridan, Arkansas plants
– Mexico
– China
The Kohler website states that the “majority of KOHLER faucets are assembled in Kohler, Wisconsin and Sheridan, Arkansas.” This suggests that while final assembly of most faucets is in the US, components or sub-assemblies may be sourced globally.
In 2000, Kohler opened a faucet plant in Monterrey, Mexico to produce components and finished products. Then in 2002, Kohler partnered with Kingston Brass to open a faucet plant in Zhongshan, China. This allowed Kohler to utilize lower-cost labor and supply chains in Asia.
So in summary, Kohler faucets are assembled from parts sourced and manufactured globally, including China, but the final assembly for most models takes place in Kohler’s US-based plants. The company leverages its multi-national supply chain to control costs while maintaining “Made in USA” finished products.
Where are Kohler Toilets Made?
For toilets, the manufacturing origins include:
– United States – Wisconsin, South Carolina, and Arkansas plants
– Mexico
– China
As with faucets, Kohler uses US facilities for final toilet assembly but produces components and sub-assemblies internationally. In a 2021 news segment, Kohler confirmed that their standard two-piece toilets are assembled at their Wisconsin headquarters using globally sourced parts.
However, Kohler also has toilet manufacturing capabilities in China that allow them to produce full toilets for the local Asian market. So some entry-level or specialty Kohler toilets may be completely manufactured and assembled in China before being imported to the US for distribution.
Percentage of Kohler Toilets Made in USA vs China
Based on available information, here is an estimate of how much of Kohler’s toilet manufacturing originates in the USA vs China:
| Manufacturing Location | Percentage Estimate |
| United States | 70-75% |
| China | 25-30% |
So while Kohler relies on some Chinese production, it appears a majority of Kohler toilets sold in the US are assembled domestically from global components.
Where are Kohler Sinks Made?
Sink manufacturing for Kohler takes place in:
– United States – Wisconsin and Tennessee plants
– China
Kohler produces enameled cast iron sinks domestically in Wisconsin where they originated the technology over a century ago. Assembly of stainless steel sinks is also done at the US facilities.
However, Kohler leverages partner factories in China for some sink models and variations to control costs and supply. Lower priced Kohler stainless steel sinks are more likely produced entirely in China. But medium to higher end sinks appear to be assembled in the US when destined for the American and Canadian markets.
Where are Kohler Tubs Made?
The manufacturing locations for Kohler bathtubs are:
– United States – Wisconsin plant
– Mexico
– China
Enameled cast iron tubs continue to be made at Kohler’s founding facility in Wisconsin. Other materials like acrylic are produced in Mexico or China depending on the model. While Kohler does manufacture some tubs entirely outside the US, their American-made selection provides domestic options.
When shopping for a new Kohler tub, the product descriptions and branding may indicate if it is produced in the USA or not.
Why Does Kohler Manufacture in China?
Kohler and other major plumbing brands manufacture some products or components in China for several key reasons:
– **Lower labor costs** – Chinese manufacturing wages are significantly lower than US wages, reducing production expenses.
– **Existing infrastructure and facilities** – Kohler has invested in building factories in China over several decades.
– **Supply chain efficiency** – Sourcing some raw materials and parts from Asia reduces shipping costs.
– **Growth in Chinese market** – As China’s middle class expands, producing locally allows Kohler to grow sales there.
– **Trade policies** – Importing Chinese-made products avoids US tariffs and other trade restrictions.
So despite their American roots, Kohler relies on some Chinese manufacturing to lower costs and prices while expanding their global business. But they aim to balance this with maintaining significant US assembly operations and jobs.
Quality Control in Kohler’s Chinese Factories
Kohler states that their products made in China factories undergo rigorous quality control and testing:
– Raw materials and component suppliers must meet Kohler’s specifications
– Fixtures go through extensive testing during and after production
– Kohler subjects products to quality assurance evaluations in China
– Products destined for the US are re-inspected at domestic Kohler facilities
By controlling design, materials, and inspection processes, Kohler aims to achieve consistent quality levels between their US and overseas operations.
Reviews of Kohler Products Made in China
Based on reviews from retail sites and forums, Kohler products manufactured in China exhibit a range of quality:
– Most function as expected without issues
– Some customers report defects or premature failures
– Quality control seems to vary between factories and product lines
– Entry-level lines more often have quality complaints
As a mid-tier brand, Kohler quality from China is moderate but not equivalent to the US-made products. There are occasional complaints about leaking, loosening, cracking, or Other flaws. But overall, most imported Kohler products work reasonably well, just with a somewhat higher defect rate compared to domestic models.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while a majority of Kohler plumbing fixtures sold in the US are assembled domestically, the company utilizes manufacturing capabilities in China, Mexico, and other regions to produce components, sub-assemblies, or full products. By leveraging an international supply chain, Kohler can control costs while still engineering products in the US.
Kohler maintains quality control processes for their Chinese factories, but issues seem slightly more common with imports compared to American-made equivalents. However, many Kohler fixtures imported from China function reliably if installed and maintained properly.
So is Kohler made in China? For some products or models, yes, but Kohler has maintained a significant US manufacturing presence despite importing many components and certain product lines from their Asian facilities. This global but American-centered strategy allows Kohler to balance quality, cost, and growth.