KOHLER,
Wis., Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kohler
Co. Board of Directors has elected President and Chief Executive
Officer David Kohler to the
additional role of Chair of the Board, following the passing of
Executive Chairman Herbert V. Kohler,
Jr. on Sept. 3 at age
83. The Board of Directors had previously undertaken a
comprehensive succession planning process to ensure an orderly
transition of leadership to guide the global, privately held
organization.
David will Chair the Board of Directors and Executive Committee,
in addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer which will
include full scope responsibility for the three business groups of
Kohler Co. (Kitchen & Bath, Power, Hospitality) and all
enterprise functions.
David has been with Kohler Co. for over 31 years and was elected
to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer in 2015,
having previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer
since 2009. He is the fourth generation of Kohler family
leadership since the company's inception in 1873, and only the
ninth person to lead the company over the last 149 years.
"The Board is confident in David's deep experience, strong
leadership, and passion for bold innovation to continue driving our
company forward well into the future. David has proven to be
an inspiring and forward-thinking leader for our associates around
the world, including in times of uncertainty throughout the global
financial crisis, the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and a variety of
other challenges," the company stated. "David understands the
importance of developing a strong culture of dedicated associates
passionate about innovating, inspiring, and delighting our
customers. He draws upon the legacy of past Kohler leaders
and our company's established framework – grounded in our mission
and guiding principles – to ensure company stability, sustained
growth, and long-term success."
"I learned so much from my father, including a tireless strong
work ethic, leading with candor and humility, and always driving to
innovate. He believed that you must have passion for whatever
you do in life if you want to be successful. Working
alongside him for decades showcased the impact of embracing an
entrepreneurial spirit, not being afraid to fail, and always
striving for accuracy and consistency. He left an indelible
mark on me personally and professionally," David said of his father
Herbert V. Kohler, Jr.
Under David's leadership, the company surpassed $8 billion in annual revenues in 2021. The
organization has experienced substantial global expansion in both
cutting-edge manufacturing facilities and immersive kitchen and
bath showrooms, including the global portfolio of KOHLER Experience
Centers, as well as significant growth in e-commerce and digital
capabilities. His leadership has helped KOHLER become the
number-one kitchen and bath brand in the U.S. and China, and number-one international brand in
India.
The Power Group has experienced sustained growth globally – both
organic and through M&A including the acquisition of U.K.-based
Clarke Energy in 2015. The company continues to broaden its
expansion of clean energy and distributed energy options with new
products, and the 2021 acquisitions of Curtis Instruments (electric
vehicle controls) and Heila Technologies (microgrid software
controls). David has also overseen the increased focus and
investment in the company's digital transformation and its foray
into the Smart Home space with a robust roster of connected
products for kitchen and bath spaces.
While David appropriately credits his father Herb and
hall-of-fame golf designer Pete Dye
for putting the State of Wisconsin
on the map as a global golf destination, he continues to broaden
the company's influence on the game on an international scale.
He served as General Chair of the 2015 PGA Championship at
Whistling Straits, which at the time was the highest revenue
championship in history. David also served as General Chair
of the 43rd Ryder Cup in 2021 also at Whistling Straits,
which many golf experts have proclaimed as the best-ever in the
international event's storied 94-year history.
When it comes to making a commitment to sustainability, David
led the company to be among the first to establish a Net Zero 2035
goal across its operations in 2008. In the years since, the
organization has been actively tracking and substantially reducing
its greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and waste across
operations while investing in renewable energy. David
believes strongly that companies and economies must advance both
industry and the environment and managing this balance is
critical. In June of this year, the company issued its
first-ever Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report
highlighting the company's increased reporting
transparency, goals, and progress across environmental
sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and social
impact. "Even as a private company, we are accountable for
the promises we make and achieving a global standard of excellence
in everything we do," David said.
As chair of the organization's Executive Leadership Diversity
Board, David oversees the objectives and progress toward achieving
them. "Every associate must have the opportunity to achieve their
full potential in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.
It requires our ongoing investment, focus, and commitment to
continue leading boldly," he said.
About David Kohler
David Kohler started at Kohler
Co. working in every manufacturing division on the front lines. He
rejoined Kohler as Director – Fixtures Marketing in 1993 after
working at Dayton Hudson Corporation. Since then, he has
served in progressive roles at Kohler including Vice President
Sales, Sector President – K&B Americas, Group President –
K&B Group, Executive Vice President, President and Chief
Operating Officer, and President and Chief Executive Officer.
David also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the
following organizations: Kohler Co., Old Course Ltd, Interface
Inc., Interceramic and the Green Bay Packers. He received his
bachelor's degree in political science from Duke University and his master's degree in
management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. David is also an
Alumnus of the Voyageur Outward Bound School in Ely, Minnesota, and is a past Chairman of the
Young Presidents' Organization, Intercontinental Chapter.
David currently serves on the Board of Kohler Foundation and the
Advisory Board of the Duke University
Fuqua Center on Leadership and Ethics (COLE).
David and Nina, his wife of 25 years, have four children and
live in Kohler, Wisconsin.
David credits Nina as being foundational to his success in life and
business. In addition, David credits his two sisters –
Laura Kohler, board member and
Senior Vice President of HR, Stewardship & Sustainability at
Kohler Co.; and Rachel Kohler, board
member, entrepreneur, and advisor to early-stage companies –
principal shareholders of Kohler Co., as being instrumental in
supporting his advancement and working collaboratively to steward
the future of the company over their working lives. "As the
fourth generation of a successful 150-year-old private company,
we've prioritized strong family relationships as being essential
for the next 150," David said.
About Kohler Co.
Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, Kohler Co. is one of
America's oldest and largest privately held companies comprised of
more than 40,000 associates. With more than 50 manufacturing
locations worldwide, Kohler is a global leader in the design,
innovation and manufacture of kitchen and bath products; luxury
cabinetry, tile and lighting; engines, generators, and clean energy
solutions; and owner/operator of two, five-star hospitality and
golf resort destinations in Kohler,
Wisconsin, and St. Andrews, Scotland. Kohler's
Whistling Straits golf course hosted the 43rd Ryder Cup in 2021.
The company also develops solutions to address pressing
issues, such as clean water and sanitation, for underserved
communities around the world to enhance the quality of life for
current and future generations. For more details, please
visit kohlercompany.com.
CONTACTS:
|
Todd Weber
|
Stephen
Maliszewski
|
|
Communications
Director-PR
|
Director-PR
|
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todd.weber@kohler.com
|
stephen.maliszewski@kohler.com
|
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SOURCE Kohler Co.