Kohler Co. Becomes First Two-Time Winner of EPA's Sustained Excellence Award

October 13, 2014 /3BL Media/ - For the second year in a row, the Environmental Protection Agency has honored Kohler with its Sustained Excellence Award, recognizing the company's continuing dedication to the development and promotion of water-saving products and the education of consumers on water conservation issues. A pioneer in the kitchen and bath industry, Kohler Co. has long been dedicated to producing efficient, cutting-edge products that are at the forefront of the industry.

Kohler has been honored with multiple awards by the EPA and in 2008 was the agency's first recipient of its WaterSense Manufacturer Partner of the Year Award. The company received the award again in 2009, and was recognized with WaterSense Excellence Awards in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, Kohler was honored as the EPA's Manufacturer Partner of the Year, and last year, the company was recognized with the agency's inaugural Sustained Excellence Award.

"To win this award for the second time is evidence of our continuing efforts in the area of water conservation and our strong, long-term association with the EPA," says Rob Zimmerman, senior channel manager of sustainability for Kohler Co. "We have embraced the WaterSense initiatives since the very beginning and its goals have been adopted as part of our corporate identity as a leader in this area."

The WaterSense label helps consumers identify Kohler plumbing products that use less water but still deliver the operational superiority they expect from the Kohler brand. Since WaterSense was introduced in 2006, Kohler has engineered nearly all of its toilets, bathroom faucets, urinals, and many of its showerheads to use far less water. The labels make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase products that are efficient while maintaining the performance excellence and sophisticated design for which Kohler has long been renowned.

The EPA notes in that its WaterSense program has recognized Kohler for numerous industry-leading innovations, including the company's development of a dual-flush trip lever for tank-type toilets. This unique lever makes selecting a dual-flush toilet easier for consumers accustomed to using traditional flush levers, and allows dual-flush to be an accessible technology for those with dexterity challenges.

In addition, Kohler collaborated with multiple WaterSense partners to promote the performance of WaterSense-labeled products during the "Trust the Flush" mobile marketing campaign. A cross-country bus tour showcased WaterSense-labeled toilets at more than 185 events. The agency also singled out Kohler's marketing and social media presence via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest, noting that these efforts have contributed to the sale of millions of WaterSense-labeled toilets, bathroom faucets, and showerheads in 2013.

EPA also noted myriad ways in which Kohler has demonstrated its commitment to developing water efficiency and sustainable building practices. Kohler staff has collaborated with the U.S. Green Building Council to train and certify 280 individuals as LEED® Green Associates. The company also provided WaterSense-labeled products to the Green Builder Media's VISION House® in INNOVENTIONS at Walt Disney World's Epcot® in Orlando, Florida, which was visited by more than 200,000 people. In addition, the company donated WaterSense-labeled products as well as design support to the California Institute of Technology's application for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's "Reinvent the Toilet Challenge," which funds projects that address health and sanitation issues in developing countries.

"Continuing to develop efficient products and engineering new ways to protect our global water supply is a long-term project for Kohler and part of our DNA as a company," says Zimmerman. "WaterSense has been an excellent way for us to educate consumers, challenge ourselves and build on our heritage as a pioneering business." 

About WaterSense
WaterSense, the EPA's voluntary public-private partnership program, seeks to protect the future of the nation's water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs and practices. Since the program began in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save a cumulative 757 billion gallons of water and more than $14.2 billion in water and energy bills.

About Kohler Co.
Kohler Co. has a long history of supporting water efficiency and sustainability in products as well as processes. Aligning with organizations and programs like EPA WaterSense, Alliance for Water Efficiency, and U.S. Green Building Council, Kohler has positioned itself as a sustainability leader in the plumbing industry with educational programs, awareness campaigns, and water-saving products. In recognition of these efforts, Kohler has been awarded seven consecutive awards from the EPA WaterSense program.

Kohler Co. offers products that are designed to conserve natural resources while remaining true to a singular quality level of performance and design. Whether specifying plumbing products that help buildings earn LEED® water-efficiency points, reducing facility operating costs or accommodating the preferences of homeowners, the water-saving KOHLER fixtures and faucets address the challenging demands of customers and preserve one of our most precious natural resources. 

Visit www.SaveWaterAmerica.com for more information about Kohler's water-saving products and its continuing efforts to help drive conservation.

Contact
Mirjam Lippuner
mirjam.lippuner@kohler.com
920-457-4441, ext. 71125