Kohler Logo PNG
The Kohler logo is so simple that it exudes minimalism and austerity. This makes sense, as the company the emblem belongs to deals with serious work related to strictly practical items critically needed in everyday life. Its two-dimensional design makes the symbol easy to understand and clearly visible to everyone.
Kohler began on December 3, 1873, when Austrian immigrant John Michael Kohler and Charles Silberzahn bought Sheboygan Union Iron and Steel Foundry from Jacob Vollrath for $5,000. The company was founded during the Panic of 1873, a long economic downturn in the United States, yet its early products, including farm tools, livestock troughs, scalding tanks, cemetery crosses, and garden benches, helped keep demand steady.
In 1878, Silberzahn sold his share to employees Herman Hayssen and John Stehn, and the firm became Kohler, Hayssen and Stehn. A larger workshop was built in 1880, then destroyed by fire soon afterward. The rebuilt plant included an enameling shop, which became decisive for the company’s future.
In 1883, Kohler coated a cast-iron livestock trough and scalding tank with enamel. A catalog noted that, with four legs, it could serve as a bathtub. Company tradition says the first Kohler bath was sold to a local farmer for a cow and fourteen chickens. By 1887, when the firm was incorporated, enameled plumbing products provided up to 70 percent of revenue. The first kitchen sink followed in 1887, and the first toilet in 1897, placing Kohler in competition with American Standard and Crane Co.
By 1900, the company had more than 250 workers. It had begun moving west of Sheboygan to Riverside, later known as Kohler, Wisconsin. After John Michael Kohler died in November 1900, another fire damaged the new plant. In 1902, the business became J.M. Kohler Sons Company, owned by Robert, Walter, and Carl Kohler. Later milestones included a built-in bathtub in 1911, generators in 1920, cast-iron whirlpool baths in 1977, and Artist Editions in 1985.
Meaning and History
It all started when industrialist, businessman, and politician John Michael Kohler bought a steel foundry from his father-in-law. Charles Silberzahn actively facilitated this. After securing the company’s rights, the new owner changed its name. There were two reasons for this. The first was to indicate that the enterprise belonged to him and his family; the second was that the businessman’s surname matched the name of the city where the foundry was located. Hence, a well-thought-out marketing move was made, and the Kohler logo contains only a single word, which was enough to make the visual identity recognizable.
What is Kohler?
Kohler is an American manufacturer of plumbing fixtures, engines, generators, furniture, and tile. It started with the production of agricultural tools and iron decorative items. The founders of the company are John Michael Kohler and Charles Silberzahn, who bought a steel foundry from Jacob Vollrath in 1873. Its headquarters is located in Kohler, Wisconsin.
Old
The Kohler emblem is text-based. It uses the company name in capital letters. The bold black letters are clearly visible against any background, distinguished by their perfect geometry. Almost all glyphs are strict, straight, and direct, with precise angles. The only exceptions are the “R,” with a slightly rounded top, and the “O,” with smoothly flowing sides, though it has a distinct rectangle in the center. The crossbar of the “H” is raised higher than usual and occupies the upper half of the letter. The leg of the “K” is also positioned much higher than the center, starting at the top stroke.
New
After the redesign, the Kohler logo became more imposing. It consists of a massive inscription made with geometric glyphs. The letters are two-dimensional, chiseled, extra-bold, and straight. They have perfectly smooth edges, indicating the utmost precision and flawlessness of the manufactured products. The “O” has been shaped into a wide ring, the top part of the “R” is aligned to the center, the start of the “K” legs has been moved to the middle of the vertical stroke, and the crossbar of the “H” is placed in its usual position. At the end of the line is a circle with a miniature “R” in the center – a symbol of a registered trademark.
Font and Colors
The inscription in the Kohler emblem is set in a grotesque typeface, a smooth uppercase font similar to Spartan MB Black. The bold letters add seriousness and convey a sense of high responsibility for the products on offer.
The corporate palette, like the company’s approach to product manufacturing, is practical and serious. Mostly, the glyphs are colored in black, the most common color in typography, as it is neutral but clearly visible on any background. At the same time, this color creates a sense of refinement and elegance.
