Kohler Co
Kohler was founded in the USA in 1873 by Austrian immigrant John Michael Kohler with the purchase of the Sheboygan Union Iron and Steel Foundry. Early products included cast iron and steel farm implements, castings for furniture factories, and ornamental iron pieces including cemetery crosses and settees.
In 1880 the factory burnt to the ground and the company moved to a new facility in Sheboygan and added an enamelling plant.[1]
A breakthrough came in 1883 when John Michael applied enamel to a cast iron horse trough to create the company's first bathtub. The company has been primarily in the plumbing business ever since, known for plumbing fixtures.
In 1888, the then Kohler Water Works developed the original trademarked Bubbler. They became popular, and other companies developed similar products under the generic term "drinking fountain." The colloquial word "bubbler" is still used in several regions of the United In 1889 the company moved to a 21 acre site at Riverside, near Sheboygan, which later becomes known as the Kohler village. It suffers misfortune with fires, but is rebuilt an expanded to accomodate its workers.
In 1900 John Michael died and his son, Robert J. Kohler is appointed president.
In 1905 Walter J. Kohler is appointed presient after the death of Robert J.States.[2]
The first Kohler engine was produced in 1920, the Kohler automatic power and light 1500 watt model 'A'. It was a 110 volt DC current.
Kohler make electricity generators, for remote and back up usage.
The diesel electric plants employ a 4-cylinder cold-starting design.
They are available in 11KW, 13KW, 16KW, 20KW and 24KW versions. They are available as the Type AD (automatic diesel) and the Type RD (remote diesel) models.
The system of Kohler automatic working is said to eliminate the need for storage batteries. [3]
In 1937 Herbert V. Kohler Snr is elected president.
In 1939 work began on liquid cooled engines, which were supplied to the U.S. Navy. Engines ranged from small single cylinger 5 hp models, to 4 cylinder 20 hp. In 1948 Kohler concentrated on engines by opening up its own dedicated engine making facility. After 3 years, the K90 cast iron single cylinder air-cooled engine went into production. By the end of the 1950's they had interchangeable engines which had a common foot plate and crank height.[4]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ http://www.kohler.com/corp/about/timeline/index.htm
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohler_Company
- ↑ Country Gentlemans' Association Catalogue 1938
- ↑ http://www.kohlerengines.com/about/landing.htm