In a bid to tap into the country’s growing appetite for high quality construction products, Kohler USA recently opened a showroom in Nairobi. The showroom, based in Ukay shopping mall in Westlands is so far the fifth store opened in Africa, following its presence in Mauritius, Uganda, South Africa and Angola.
Salil Sadanandan, Kohler’s president for Middle East, Europe and Africa confirmed that they have set their sites in East Africa as their most important market in Africa.
Patnered with Kitchens and Beyond, East African kitchen ware distributor, the store is set to stock over 1000 Kohler products, some of which will be inclusive of bathtubs, showers, sinks, faucets and toilets.
Kitchen & Beyond, in fulfilling their mandate of handling local sales as well as shop management, will be teaming up with other top notch brands such as Novamobili who deal with wardrobes, Caesar & Arpa for tiles and Snaidero for Italian kitchens in their products supply to the region.
The target markets of Kohler Africa are home owners who seek high quality mid-range and luxurious fittings as well as institutional investors in the local hospitality industry. Among its products is a digital shower system (DTV+) which is going for $11,640 and a smart toilet that retails at $7,760.
The company has already made its first strides in the hospitality industry after completing its first contract for the installation of bathroom amenities in the newly opened Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi.
There was never an opportune moment for venturing into Kenyan markets as currently local property developers are frequently turning overseas to China and India for house fittings such as ceramic tiles, fitted kitchens, wooden flooring and sanitary ware, all with a view to wooing high-end buyers and tenants.
Kohler prides themselves in delivering the concept of gracious living, showing their dedication to making sure their products and services bring charm, good taste and generosity of spirit to the lives of their customers.
