The new CO2 strategy will be integrated into all relevant business processes in future. As a result, Geberit aims for a CO2 reduction of 5% per year in the medium term, in relation to currency-adjusted net sales.
Architects and designers throughout Europe were invited to design bathrooms with a size of 6 m2 and to equip them with Geberit products. In an online vote, the design by Bjerg Arkitektur from Denmark was chosen as the winner.
Major product launches are:
In 2021, the Geberit Group achieved its strongest sales growth since going public in 1999. In the last six quarters, sales grew around three times faster than usual. And, from an operational point of view, under very challenging circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With FlowFit, Geberit introduced a new piping system for drinking water and heating applications. The pressfittings are establishing new standards in terms of easy and reliable installation, but also in terms of their flow characteristics. The development is financially one of the most significant development projects in the history of Geberit.
As no trade fairs were possible in the first half of 2021 due to the pandemic, Geberit launched the “Innovation Days”. The company started to present new products and key topics from its new trade fair booth, the “House of Geberit”, streaming them online.
Major product launches are:
Geberit defies the COVID-19 crisis and is able to further consolidate its position as the leading supplier of sanitary products, as demonstrated by the very good annual results.
2020 sees the second stage of the Europe-wide brand consolidation. In France, Italy and the Netherlands, the brands Allia, Pozzi-Ginori and Sphinx are replaced by Geberit (see also 2019).
Premiere in India with the world’s first installation of the new Geberit SuperTube technology. The efficient drainage system is installed in the “Gateway Towers 1” construction project.
Major product launches are:
The brand switch primarily affects the largest sales market – Germany – and allows for the focusing of marketing activities, consolidation of product information and simplification of logistics.
With the campaign “Better bathrooms, better lives”, Geberit has set out on the path of communicating directly with the end user. The campaign focuses on their most important requirements – cleanliness, optimisation of space, comfort, user-friendliness, accessibility and design.
Ten kilns in seven ceramics plants are now fitted with Enervit burner technology. As a result, around 27,500 MWh of natural gas and 6,500 tonnes of CO2 can be saved each year.
Major product launches are:
Geberit prepares for the future with record investments in the Operations division, focusing on the ceramics plants in Ekenäs (FI), Slavuta (UA) and Gaeta (IT) as well as on the capacity expansion in Pfullendorf and the modernisation in Langenfeld (both DE).
In the measuring laboratory in Rapperswil-Jona (CH), a CT scanner is used for the first time. In addition to measuring inner and outer geometries as well as wall thicknesses, this machine also detects irregularities in the plastic.
Major product launches are:
The expanded logistics centre in the southern German town of Pfullendorf takes over the storage, order picking and shipping of long goods.
“Know-How Installed” has been joined by the claim “Design Meets Function” in order to bring the company’s expertise in front of and behind the wall to the attention of a wider audience.
Major product launches are:
With the start of the new year, the Sales teams of Geberit and the former Sanitec are operating as a single unit. Customers can ask one and the same contact person questions about the entire product portfolio.
The integration of the Ceramic division is also pushing ahead in production: Since the beginning of the year, the Geberit AquaClean Mera shower toilet is in part being produced in the Wesel plant in Germany.
For the first time, a volunteering project is carried out in Nepal in cooperation with the Swiss aid organisation Helvetas.
Major product launches are:
Christian Buhl, the successor to Albert M. Baehny, takes up his new role as CEO on 1 January 2015.
Geberit takes over the Finnish Sanitec Group, Europe’s leading provider of ceramic appliances. The total value of the transaction, which was announced in October 2014, amounts to 1.29 billion Swiss francs. The Sanitec Group is home to well-known brands such as Keramag, Ifö, Kolo, Allia and Pozzi-Ginori.
The opening of the new plant in Ruše (SI) is celebrated.
Major product launches are:
Geberit celebrates 50 years of concealed cisterns. As if further proof of its reliability were still required, a set of first generation “UP” cisterns is being replaced in a Swiss alpine hotel – for purely aesthetic reasons.
A 6,600 m2 production hall is completed in Villadose (IT) and a third extrusion line for Silent-PP discharge pipes is commissioned.
Major product launches are:
Production begins at the plant in Pune (IN), where the Alpha concealed cisterns are being manufactured for the Indian market.
One of the highlights at the ISH in Frankfurt is the presentation of Geberit AquaClean Sela – the first shower toilet that looks like a normal toilet.
For the first time, apprentices are given the opportunity to gain practical experience overseas after completing their apprenticeships – the plant in Shanghai (CN) is the first destination.
Major product launch: AquaClean Sela (shower toilet)
The first Geberit showroom with a “mini acoustics lab” is opened in Copenhagen (DK).
The Aquatics Centre, which was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is one of the most spectacular venues at the Summer Olympic Games in London. This iconic building contains various Geberit products.
The new block heating station at the Pfullendorf plant (DE) serves as a role model – it is operated using biomass from regional sources.
Major product launch: Alpha (concealed cistern, flush plate, specifically for India)
Günter F. Kelm steps down as Chairman of the Board of Directors. At the General Meeting, Albert M. Baehny is elected his successor.
The specially set-up Geberit Apparate AG begins producing shower toilets itself at the Rapperswil-Jona site (CH).
The “Geberit On Tour” campaign is launched in several European countries. The technical advisors travel through their countries in stages in order to pass on their know-how on site.
Major product launches are:
The official opening of the new Asia/Pacific headquarters in Shanghai (CN) takes place.
The logistics centre in Pfullendorf (DE) is inaugurated and immediately begins to systematise processes and consolidate consignments across Europe.
During the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos (CH), Geberit is named Switzerland’s most sustainable company.
Major product launches are:
The shower toilet is relaunched under the name Geberit AquaClean in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The core message of the advertising campaign is „I Love Water”.
Major product launches are:
Geberit Balena – the sales company responsible for the shower toilet – is integrated into the Swiss sales company.
Geberit joins the “Global Compact”, a United Nations initiative to promote social commitment by companies.
Geberit runs a social project for the first time, with eight apprentices taking part. The project is based at the “Colegio Pomasqui” in Quito (EC).
Major product launches are:
AMS, hitherto the exclusive importer of Geberit products in South Africa, is acquired.
Geberit introduces respective codes of conduct for employees and suppliers.
In a campaign, elephant, eagle and other animals draw attention to the many benefits of Geberit prewall systems: design freedom, stability, concealed technology, versatility.
The world’s first drinking water tower is inaugurated at the Langenfeld plant (DE). This makes it possible to experience sanitary expertise interactively.
Geberit splits from Deriplast’s underground piping systems segment. The production of PE and Silent-db20 pipes as well as the manufacture of special piping components remain at the Villadose site (IT).
Emerging from the former export department, Geberit International Sales AG (GISA) is founded; it serves over 35 markets and initially has branches in Dubai, Moscow and Bucharest.
Geberit acquires Mapress Holding GmbH in Langenfeld (DE), for 372.5 million euros. The Mapress Group is the leading provider in the area of high-quality metal pressfitting piping systems and drainage solutions made of stainless steel, carbon steel and copper.
The marketing slogan (claim) “Know-How Installed” is introduced. From this time on, it can be seen on packaging, amongst other things.
Günter F. Kelm stands down from his position as CEO as of 31 December and is replaced by his successor Albert M. Baehny.
The Italian sales company moves into a new administration and customer training building in Manno (CH).
Geberit opens an official sales company in Moscow (RU).
Geberit expands its operations in the USA and acquires all shares in the Chicago Faucet Company headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois; shortly afterwards, it also acquires WC Technology Corporation in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Geberit acquires an interest in Huter Vorfertigung GmbH, a company based in Matrei am Brenner (AT). It will acquire the remaining shares in 2004.
A new sales company is opened in Australia with its headquarters based in Sydney.
The new Geberit Information Centre is opened in Jona (CH).
Geberit successfully goes public on the Swiss Stock Exchange. At the same time, it introduces an attractive employee participation plan.
A new logistics centre commences operations in Pfullendorf (DE).
For the first time, Geberit Group sales surpass one billion Swiss francs. The company begins preparations for a listing on the stock exchange.
The family shareholders sell the company to the British investment company Doughty Hanson & Co. The Group Executive Board, together with other executive managers, acquires an interest in the company and thus preserves the operational independence of the Geberit Group.
The building technology and acoustics laboratory in Jona (CH) is completed.
Prosan, a company based in Ruše (SI), is acquired. It produces concealed cisterns and interior fittings for ceramic cisterns.
Deriplast S.p.A., a plastic pipe manufacturer from Villadose (IT), is fully taken over; Geberit had held a minority interest of 26% since 1989.
Geberit Lichtenstein GmbH is founded in St. Egidien, Saxony (DE); from this point onwards it produces installation elements and frames.
The members of the founding family retire from operational management. In the following years, the new CEO, Günter F. Kelm, leads the restructuring of the Geberit Group, with the sales, production and services activities being grouped into separate divisions while all research and development activities are centralised at the Jona site (CH).
A new plant is constructed in Pottenbrunn (AT).
A new Geberit Information Centre is constructed in Pfullendorf (DE).
The first comprehensive environmental strategy is developed.
Acquisition of Sanbloc GmbH in Weilheim (DE). This company manufactures prefabrication components.
A Geberit Information Centre specifically for the Italian market is opened in Manno (CH).
The local sales company for Denmark is founded, with its headquarters in Lystrup.
The Geberella shower toilet is launched; the WC enhancement solution is sold until 1993.
With the introduction of installation systems, the range of products is expanded.
Geberit’s corporate structure is reorganised and Geberit Holding SA established.
Geberit expands into the USA and establishes the subsidiary Geberit Manufacturing Inc. with its headquarters in Michigan City, Indiana.
The local sales company for the Netherlands is founded, with its headquarters in Amsterdam.
For a period of 20 years, the brothers Heinrich and Klaus Geberit have been at the helm of the enterprise that has become an international corporation by now.
Blow moulding technology is introduced; this enables the rationalised production of cisterns.
Geberit opens a new plant in Pottenbrunn (AT), 50 kilometres west of Vienna.
The local sales company for Belgium is founded, with its headquarters in Brussels.
A completely new factory is opened in Pfullendorf (DE).
Introduction of the first concealed cistern.
Geberit expands further and moves into new premises in the industrial park in Jona (CH), Rapperswil’s neighbouring municipality.
The local sales company for France is founded, with its headquarters in Paris.
As a logical consequence of the market success experienced by the plastic cisterns, Geberit takes up production in the area of drainage technology. In this field, the company also predominantly uses plastic, producing traps and other moulded components from polyethylene (PE).
The German sales company is founded in Pfullendorf. It has its own production facilities.
The name “Geberit” is registered as a trademark and is used as the brand name and quality label for all Geberit products from this point on.
With Heinrich (1917-2007) and Klaus Gebert (1926-1998), the third generation of the founding family takes over management of the ailing company.
The first plastic cistern is produced, with the company experiencing a marked upswing in the wake of this product breakthrough.
During the Second World War, the company keeps afloat by building flat roofs made of pumice slabs, with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich among its clients (picture: Swiss National Exhibition in 1939, Zurich).
The company ventures into the new field of plastics processing, at this time a very new technique – a groundbreaking development.
Albert Emil Gebert opens the company’s first foreign office with retail depot in Paris.
In the new manufacturing building on Falkenstrasse, production is concentrated on lead-lined cisterns with brass and lead mechanisms and ballcocks; traps and stop valves made of lead for the acids industry are soon added to the range of products.
A milestone is reached in the history of Geberit with the purchase of a plot in the Falkenstrasse in Rapperswil (CH). Albert Emil Gebert buys a 1,493 m2 piece of land for the price of 8.50 Swiss francs per square metre; construction of the new production plant begins the next year.
The first patent for the “Phönix” wooden cistern is registered. The company is soon supplying customers throughout Switzerland and neighbouring countries with this reliable cistern.
The first cisterns produced in Switzerland leave the production plant in Rapperswil.
After the death of their father, the sons Albert Emil Gebert (1880-1969) and Leo Gebert (1888-1964) take over the business.
The sons Albert Emil and Leo Gebert succeed in manufacturing the first, lead-lined wooden cistern with lead fittings; called “Phönix”, this product is the cornerstone for future growth.
The ”Phönix” property on the sunny side of the Engelplatz is purchased. One year later, the workshop is moved to these premises and a store is opened on the ground floor.
The company founder marries Josefina Domeisen, three years his junior. He purchases the corner property at Herrenberg 25/Halsgasse 39 from her family. The marriage produces the sons Albert Emil and Leo Gebert.
Caspar Melchior Albert Gebert (1850-1909) of St. Gallenkappel, Switzerland, opens tinsmith business on the Engelplatz in the old town quarter of Rapperswil (CH).