Cutting-edge greenfield plant produces STERLING brand bathing
and showering
products to meet growing demand and enhance
customer experience
KOHLER,
Wis., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kohler Co., a
global leader in kitchen and bath products headquartered in
Kohler, Wisconsin, officially
opened the doors to its new manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, Arizona, with a ceremonial
ribbon-cutting event hosted by company leadership. Among those in
attendance were Arizona Governor
Katie Hobbs, some of the new Kohler
associates filling more than 400 full-time administrative and
production positions, state and local officials, and Kohler
customers.
The facility produces STERLING brand bath and shower fixtures
and is approximately one million square feet on 216 acres with room
for future expansion. The multi-million dollar capital investment
features an innovative manufacturing facility, ancillary warehouse,
distribution center, office space, and cafeterias. The site also
includes a best-in-class showroom for customers and visitors to
view leading-edge products.
"Arizona is a recognized hub of
excellence for manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability, all
of which are enhanced by the addition of Kohler's new
state-of-the-art facility," said Arizona Governor Katie
Hobbs. "As one of the world's most recognized brands known
for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, Kohler
strengthens Arizona's rapidly
growing manufacturing industry."
"We welcome our new associates to Kohler Co. and look forward to
being an active participant in the greater Casa Grande community, contributing to its
growing economy and quality of life, providing good-paying jobs and
benefits, and offering opportunities for career development and
advancement," said Norbert Schmidt,
President-Kitchen & Bath North America for Kohler. "The new
plant provides the capacity to support our strong growth
projections for STERLING to better serve our customers with the
highest level of quality and delivery. We thank our loyal customers
and partners who have been crucial in helping to build our STERLING
business to what it is today."
The plant incorporates smart factory elements and production
technology that create durable and stylish baths, shower receptors,
and bath/shower walls. The company will also track key
sustainability measures to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, water
use, solid waste, as well as energy efficiency.
In March, Kohler was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to begin award
negotiations for up to $51.2 million,
matched by company investment, to demonstrate a commercial
scale decarbonization solution at the Casa Grande plant.
Kohler is pursuing an electric boiler and microgrid system and
expects the upgrades to prevent at least 7,865 MT CO2e from being
released annually. This represents a reduction of at least 90% of
the pressing process emissions by eliminating CO2e emissions from
natural gas boilers. Kohler will incorporate electric boilers,
install a 21MW solar array microgrid, utilize long-duration energy
storage (LDES) batteries with 68MWh of storage, and install 12MW of
HVO-capable KOHLER industrial backup generators. The LDES batteries
coupled with advanced microgrid controls eliminate all possible
solar curtailment scenarios and enable the facility to run the
boilers on renewable energy while performing solar smoothing,
thereby reducing carbon emissions.
Additionally in 2023, Kohler supported a multi-year
project led by Bonneville Environmental Foundation,
Arizona State University, and
Bridgestone to convert high water use crops to low water use crops
to alleviate water stress on the local aquifers.
"The City of Casa Grande
welcomes Kohler Company with open arms and is pleased that the
organization has invested in us for the long-term. A global force
in kitchen and bath, Kohler has established itself as a highly
successful forward-thinking organization that cares for and
contributes to its local communities," said Craig McFarland, Mayor of Casa Grande. "We
are proud to have Kohler as an integral member of our
community."
"Kohler's new facility is a significant win for Casa Grande and Arizona," said Sandra
Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority.
"Kohler's sustainable manufacturing facility showcases Arizona's attractiveness as a premier global
destination for advanced manufacturing. We're grateful an iconic
company like Kohler is investing in our state while creating
hundreds of skilled jobs in rural Arizona."
"In opening this massive factory in Casa Grande, Kohler is capitalizing on the
advantages Greater Phoenix offers
in serving its customer base in the western U.S.," said
Chris Camacho, Greater Phoenix
Economic Council President & CEO. "This globally recognized
brand has found a home for manufacturing, warehousing and office
space, and we're thrilled to officially welcome them into the
market."
About Kohler Co.
For more than 150 years, Kohler Co.
has been a global leader in bold design and innovation, dedicated
to helping people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives
through its kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile, and
lighting; wellness products and services; and luxury hospitality
experiences and major championship golf. Privately held Kohler Co.
was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin. The company also develops
sustainable living solutions to enhance the quality of life for
current and future generations. Its Innovation For Good platform
addresses pressing issues, such as clean water and safe sanitation,
with breakthrough products and services for underserved
communities. David Kohler serves as
Chair and CEO and represents the fourth generation of Kohler family
leadership.
Todd Weber
|
Stephen
Maliszewski
|
Communications
Director-PR
|
Director-PR
|
920-457-4441, ext.
72707
|
920-457-4441, ext.
70725
|
todd.weber@kohler.com
|
stephen.maliszewski@kohler.com
|
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SOURCE Kohler Co.