469
1971
The progressive development of the com-
pany necessitates new headquarters. The
appointed architect is Giuseppe Gerster,
a grandson of Joseph Gerster, who once
founded the company.
1973
„On Saturday 3rd August shortly before
3:00 p.m. a fire had broken out in the floor
tile factory belonging to the Tonwarenfabrik
LAUFEN AG.
It emanated from the oil burner at kiln I.
Despite the quick reaction with fire extin-
guishers, the fire was able to spread out,
thus destroying the plant to a great extent.“
[Extract from the media]
1982
Ceramic pressure casting, developed
by Keramik LAUFEN over years, is
unveiled to the public for the first time
in October 1982. A process which sets
new standards for the sanitary industry,
it enabled LAUFEN first to significantly boost
its capacities, its efficiency as well as its
range.
1986
Issue of 140 000 share certificates at CHF
650 each.
1990
LAUFEN focuses increasingly on design.
Porsche Design is the first internationally
renowned name to be consulted.
1997
From 1992 to 1997, the company went
into debt through acquisitions and
embarked on the restructuring of the
group which had been due for years.
1999
LAUFEN becomes part of the ROCA group,
and thus belongs to one of the largest
and most influential enterprises in the
bathroom and sanitary ware industry.
2002
In 2002 LAUFEN launched ‘Tam Tam’, the
world’s first standing washbasin, cast in
one piece.
The washbasin belongs to the design line
ILBAGNOALESSI One by Stefano Giovannoni
2009
The LAUFEN Forum opens its doors. In
addition, the Similor headquarters and
production facilities are relocated to
LAUFEN. This was the last step in the
creation of the Swiss competence centre
for bathroom culture in LAUFEN.
2013
With the innovation of „SaphirKeramik“
LAUFEN presents a groundbreaking world
novelty and sets a new standard for bath-
room design.
2017
Keramik LAUFEN celebrates its 125th
anniversary.
2019
LAUFEN developed a pioneering urine-
separating WC with the design studio EOOS
and the Swiss research institute Eawag.
2023
LAUFEN has installed the world’s first electric
tunnel kiln, with zero carbon emissions, at its
Austrian site in Gmunden.
TODAY
LAUFEN manufactures high-quality sanitary
ceramics and fittings and sells furniture,
bathroom accessories and bathtubs. The
products are created in collaboration with
renowned partners such as design com-
panies Kartell and Alessi and internationally
renowned designers and architects such as
Marcel Wanders, Patricia Urquiola, Konstantin
Grcic, Stefano Giovannoni, Toan Nguyen,
Platinum Design, Phoenix Design and Vetica
Design