Uploaded July 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
It all began in 1873. It was then, in the middle of a depression that would last for five years, that John Michael Kohler purchased the Sheboygan Union Iron and Steel Foundry. The company produced cast iron and steel implements for farmers in the area around Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It also made castings for furniture factories, and ornamental iron pieces including hitching posts, cemetery crosses, urns and settees.
One of the company’s products was called a horse trough/hog scalder. In 1883, Kohler heated one of these to a temperature of 1700 degrees Fahrenheit and sprinkled on some enamel powder. A picture of the item in the company’s catalog indicated that the horse trough/hog scalder finished in such a fashion was suitable for use as a bathtub.
In 1911, there was yet another Kohler innovation. This time it was a one-piece built-in bathtub with an apron. In 1927, Kohler brought forth the coordinated bathroom suite with a line of products that featured identical colors on vitreous china and cast iron fixtures.
Today, the Kohler foundry in Kohler, Wisconsin is a modern facility capable of producing far more than its founder may have dreamed. The electric melt, for instance, has the capacity to melt more than 2 million pounds of iron a day. And much of what the company produces can be made through automated processes. The Herman foundry has the biggest automatic molding machine in the world. It can produce a bathtub every 26-27 seconds. The machine uses 700 tons of sand per hour. The two man crews pour 30-35 tons of iron per hours to fill the molds.
And it’s not just about plumbing fixtures anymore. Kohler has a Cabinetry and Tile division that includes Ann Sacks Tile & Stone, Robern and Canac. Ann Sacks is a maker and retailer of ceramic tile, marble and stone. It is particularly noted for its hand-made ceramic tile, customized colors and patterns. Robern makes mirrored cabinets, lighting fixtures and accessories. Canac makes wood cabinetry.
Kohler is also known for its power systems business. This part of the company dates back to the 1920’s, when Kohler made a 1500-watt generator powered by a Kohler cast iron diesel engine.
Admiral Richard E. Byrd took Kohler generators with him when he went on his expeditions to the Antarctic. During his year alone on the continent, a Kohler generator was Byrd’s only source of heat, light and communication with the rest of the world.
After World War II, Kohler developed lines of cast iron 4-cycle engines that also established a reputation for endurance in tough conditions. Today, Kohler continues to produce generators from 5kW to 2,000kW. The company’s engine division continues to make horizontal and vertical shaft 4-cycle engines. Models range from 4hp overhead valve single cylinder engines to 26hp overhead valve twin cylinder engines. You can find Kohler engines in power lawn and garden equipment.
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It all began in 1873. It was then, in the middle of a depression that would last for five years, that John Michael Kohler purchased the Sheboygan Union Iron and Steel Foundry. The company produced cast iron and steel implements for farmers in the area around Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It also made castings for furniture factories, and ornamental iron pieces including hitching posts, cemetery crosses, urns and settees.
One of the company’s products was called a horse trough/hog scalder. In 1883, Kohler heated one of these to a temperature of 1700 degrees Fahrenheit and sprinkled on some enamel powder. A picture of the item in the company’s catalog indicated that the horse trough/hog scalder finished in such a fashion was suitable for use as a bathtub.
In 1911, there was yet another Kohler innovation. This time it was a one-piece built-in bathtub with an apron. In 1927, Kohler brought forth the coordinated bathroom suite with a line of products that featured identical colors on vitreous china and cast iron fixtures.
Today, the Kohler foundry in Kohler, Wisconsin is a modern facility capable of producing far more than its founder may have dreamed. The electric melt, for instance, has the capacity to melt more than 2 million pounds of iron a day. And much of what the company produces can be made through automated processes. The Herman foundry has the biggest automatic molding machine in the world. It can produce a bathtub every 26-27 seconds. The machine uses 700 tons of sand per hour. The two man crews pour 30-35 tons of iron per hours to fill the molds.
And it’s not just about plumbing fixtures anymore. Kohler has a Cabinetry and Tile division that includes Ann Sacks Tile & Stone, Robern and Canac. Ann Sacks is a maker and retailer of ceramic tile, marble and stone. It is particularly noted for its hand-made ceramic tile, customized colors and patterns. Robern makes mirrored cabinets, lighting fixtures and accessories. Canac makes wood cabinetry.
Kohler is also known for its power systems business. This part of the company dates back to the 1920’s, when Kohler made a 1500-watt generator powered by a Kohler cast iron diesel engine.
Admiral Richard E. Byrd took Kohler generators with him when he went on his expeditions to the Antarctic. During his year alone on the continent, a Kohler generator was Byrd’s only source of heat, light and communication with the rest of the world.
After World War II, Kohler developed lines of cast iron 4-cycle engines that also established a reputation for endurance in tough conditions. Today, Kohler continues to produce generators from 5kW to 2,000kW. The company’s engine division continues to make horizontal and vertical shaft 4-cycle engines. Models range from 4hp overhead valve single cylinder engines to 26hp overhead valve twin cylinder engines. You can find Kohler engines in power lawn and garden equipment.
MORE FROM YOUR NEW HOUSE
Featured videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eiqktEDbaQunVDuiTidxPxd
Great DIY Projects from Your New House:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejNSy9ywo1mKiGaSXuTsEgE
Quick Tips - easy tips to make your projects (and life) better:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eh4zI-dJCevBTEdY5ioSAPQ
Gardening and Landscaping:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejdcWzNkAARBzUQDvT3W1ME
Adventures in Homebuilding - Home info with a smile:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ehA9bTrvQ58AHfE_utaBCLc
Choosing and Using Tools with Carmen Ciricillo:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eisLdRjyue3eVZT-qjM9B6I
Factory Tours and Product Testing:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ej6wLU1NAVlWhcvVWL1ynJQ
Al Carrell - The Super Handyman:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ehFhy7mXnyX_pe4v03DrqfS
The Great Outdoors with Joe Sherinski:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejiksPCxa2DTFANK-gz52xN
