Laufen

About the LAUFEN Brand

The successful story of the LAUFEN brand began on July 4, 1892, in Switzerland with the production of bricks and clinker. The company was founded by three men – Albert Borer, Johannes Splimann, and Joseph Gerster-Rothe. 

Under the leadership of director Guido Gerster, in 1925 fireclay was introduced, which allowed LAUFEN to produce sinks and washbasins. Between 1931 and 1933, the innovative porcelain material was launched under the KILVIT brand, making the resulting products more durable, stronger, and whiter. In 1999, LAUFEN became part of the ROCA group and has since been one of the largest and most influential companies in bathroom and sanitary equipment. 

LAUFEN operates worldwide in 44 countries and has 4 production plants, including one in Znojmo. It specializes in producing washbasins, toilets, bidets, bathtubs, shower trays, bathroom furniture, bathroom accessories, and faucets. 

Values of the LAUFEN Brand

The uniqueness of this Swiss brand with a long tradition is reflected especially in the combination of design, quality, and functionality.

Quality

For LAUFEN, quality is defined by two important aspects – manufacturing expertise and practical benefit. LAUFEN places great emphasis on producing products of exceptional quality, as evidenced by numerous internationally recognized certificates and standards.

Vision

Visionary work with ceramics requires knowledge of the material, the courage to experiment, and the ability to turn ideas into reality. LAUFEN handles materials with the utmost care and focuses on perfection in every detail.

Sustainability

LAUFEN produces products that use drinking water efficiently. The brand emphasizes eco-friendly production, with careful use of energy and raw materials throughout the company. It also actively seeks ecological solutions for many of its products. For example, the high-gloss finish of bathroom furniture is made from recycled PET material.

In Austria, LAUFEN received the EMAS Environment Prize 2007 for exemplary management. LAUFEN helps customers live in harmony with the environment and reduce costs, producing products with the latest water- and energy-saving technologies.

Design

LAUFEN continuously creates premium products that bring the highest level of comfort and functionality to the bathroom. International designers create collections that impress with perfection, beauty, and timelessness, earning LAUFEN numerous design awards.

Awards of the LAUFEN Brand

LAUFEN products are unique because they combine emotional Italian design with precise craftsmanship. This is recognized by experts in global design competitions – such as the iF Design Award and Red Dot Design Award.

LAUFEN Designers

Patricia Urquiola

Internationally acclaimed and versatile designer Patricia Urquiola designed the third generation of SaphirKeramik material for LAUFEN. She was born in Oviedo, Spain, in 1961. She studied architecture at the Technical University of Madrid, graduating in 1989. She is an architect and product designer known for her experimental style, creating designs that evoke emotions in people.

Stefano Giovannoni

Stefano Giovannoni is a renowned Italian industrial and interior designer. Born in Italy in 1954, his work is characterized by playfulness and a touch of avant-garde. He collaborates with brands such as Alessi, Flos, Magis, Seiko, Kankyo, Inda, Oras, and LAUFEN. For LAUFEN, he designed the Il BagnoAlessi One collection, known for timeless shapes and brilliant imagination with a hint of eccentricity.

Ludovica and Roberto Palomba

Ludovica and Roberto Palomba founded Palomba Serafini Associati in 1994. They collaborate with leading global brands and have received numerous international awards for their designs. They design interiors and residential architecture. For LAUFEN, they designed the Palomba collection, whose ceramics evoke small bays, pebbles, and the endless movement of the sea. The individual elements of this collection harmonize perfectly with each other.