Manufacturer of sanitary ceramics, faucets, bathtubs and installation systems – produced exclusively in Europe since 1892.
LAUFEN Bathrooms AG
Laufen (CH) · Gmunden (AT) · Wilhelmsburg (AT) · Bechyně (CZ) · Gliwice (PL) · Gryfice (PL)New on Amplifa
About LAUFEN
LAUFEN Bathrooms AG is a Swiss manufacturer of sanitary fixtures and complete bathroom solutions, founded in 1892 in Laufen (canton of Basel-Landschaft). The product range includes washbasins, WCs, bidets, urinals, shower toilets, faucets, bathtubs, shower trays, bathroom furniture, mirrors and installation systems. Core competencies are the manufacture of sanitary ceramics from Vitreous China and the patented Saphirkeramik, complemented by enamelled steel (VITREON Steel), acrylic, Marbond, Sentec, urea thermoset and brass faucets. Production takes place exclusively in Europe, among others in Laufen (Switzerland), Gmunden and Wilhelmsburg (Austria) as well as Bechyně (Czech Republic); the plants produce more than 3 million sanitary ceramic products per year. Since 1999, LAUFEN has belonged to the Spanish Roca Group and sells its products in more than 170 countries. Collaborations with designers such as Alessi, Kartell, Yves Behar and Konstantin Grcic shape the design orientation; for project business and hospitality, BIM data and customised special solutions are offered.
- Site
- Laufen
- Processes
- Sanitary ceramics manufacturing (washbasins, WCs, bidets, urinals, cisterns), Pressure casting (pressure casting of ceramics), Firing of sanitary ceramics in the (electric) tunnel kiln (E-Kiln, CO₂-free), Faucet manufacturing (basin, bidet, bath and shower faucets, concealed bodies), Bathtub and shower tray manufacturing (acrylic, steel, cast iron, composite), VITREON Steel washbasin manufacturing (enamelled steel), Bathroom furniture / mirrors manufacturing, WC seats and lids made of urea (thermoset)
- Materials
- Vitreous China (sanitary porcelain), Saphirkeramik, VITREON Steel, Acrylic, Marbond, Sentec, Urea (urea resin), Steel (bathtubs)
- Certificates
- ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 50001:2018, EMAS, Cradle to Cradle Certified® (Circularity Bronze), EcoVadis Platinum Medal (Roca Group), EPD (EN 15804+A2, ISO 14025), ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001
- Founded
- 1892
- Industries
- Bathroom renovation / sanitary sector, Hospitality, Architecture & construction, Project business / hospitality
- 01
Clay/raw material preparation
- 02
Pressure casting of the ceramics
- 03
Drying and firing in the tunnel kiln
- 04
Glazing/enamelling
- 05
Faucet and component manufacture from brass, acrylic, urea and steel
- 06
Assembly
- 07
Quality inspection
- 08
Logistics and distribution (high-bay warehouse in Laufen)
Materials & Processes
Vitreous China (sanitary porcelain)
Core material for washbasins, WCs, bidets and urinals with high density and a smooth glazed surface.
Saphirkeramik
Patented LAUFEN ceramic material that enables particularly thin-walled and narrow-edged geometries without loss of stability.
Brass (Brassware)
Material for faucets such as basin, bidet, bath and shower fittings as well as concealed bodies.
VITREON Steel (enamelled steel)
Enamelled steel for washbasins with darker tones and a metallic appearance.
Acrylic
Material for bathtubs and shower trays.
Marbond
Composite material for shower trays, bathtubs and washbasins.
Sentec
Composite material for shower trays, bathtubs and washbasins.
Urea (urea resin)
Thermoset for WC seats and WC lids.
Steel (bathtubs)
Material for enamelled steel bathtubs.
Cast iron (bathtubs)
Material for bathtubs with a long service life.
Production Sites
Laufen
CHHeadquarters, ceramic and faucet production, logistics centre
- Materials
- Vitreous China, Saphirkeramik, brass
- Faucet plant (since 2009)
- High-bay warehouse / logistics centre (from 2006)
Gmunden
ATProduction site for sanitary ceramics, specialised in elaborate ceramic elements
- Materials
- Vitreous China
- E-Kiln: the first CO₂-free electric tunnel kiln for sanitary ceramics (2023)
Wilhelmsburg
ATProduction site for sanitary ceramics (LAUFEN Austria GmbH)
- Materials
- Vitreous China
Bechyně
CZProduction site for sanitary ceramics (LAUFEN CZ s.r.o.)
- Materials
- Vitreous China
- Modern sanitary ceramics factory
Gliwice
PLProduction site
Gryfice
PLProduction site for composites & acrylics
- Materials
- Acrylic, Marbond, Sentec
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitary ceramics manufacturing (washbasins, WCs, bidets, urinals, cisterns)Casting | – | – | – | – | Vitreous China, Saphirkeramik |
| Pressure casting (pressure casting of ceramics)Casting | – | – | – | – | Ceramic |
| Firing of sanitary ceramics in the (electric) tunnel kiln (E-Kiln, CO₂-free)Heat treatment | – | – | – | – | Sanitary ceramics |
| Faucet manufacturing (basin, bidet, bath and shower faucets, concealed bodies)Assembly | – | – | – | – | Brass |
| Bathtub and shower tray manufacturing (acrylic, steel, cast iron, composite)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Acrylic, Marbond, Sentec, Steel, Cast iron |
| VITREON Steel washbasin manufacturing (enamelled steel)Surface treatment | – | – | – | – | VITREON Steel (steel), Vitrométal (enamel) |
| Bathroom furniture / mirrors manufacturingAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| WC seats and lids made of urea (thermoset)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Urea (urea resin) |
| Installation systems manufacturing (cisterns, flush plates, valves)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Bespoke solutions / custom solutions for projectsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
9 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric tunnel kiln (E-Kiln, the first CO₂-free tunnel kiln for sanitary ceramics) | LAUFEN E-Kiln | – | – | – | Gmunden, Austria |
| High-bay warehouse / logistics centre | LAUFEN | – | – | – | Laufen, Switzerland |
| Faucet plant (faucet production) | LAUFEN (formerly Similor) | – | – | 2009 | Laufen, Switzerland |
| Ceramic production plant (stoneware factory) | LAUFEN Austria GmbH | – | – | – | Gmunden, Austria |
| Ceramic production plant | LAUFEN CZ s.r.o. | – | – | 1961 | Bechyně, Czech Republic |
| Ceramic production plant | LAUFEN | – | – | – | Wilhelmsburg, Austria |
| Composites & acrylics plant | LAUFEN | – | – | – | Gryfice, Poland |
| Steel plant (VITREON Steel / Vitrométal) | LAUFEN | – | – | – | Águeda, Portugal / Vitrométal, Spain |
| Installation systems plants | LAUFEN | – | – | – | Eisenberg and Rödenthal, Germany |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality & Certification
The plants are certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001; LAUFEN Austria GmbH is also validated under EMAS and received the EMAS Environmental Award in 2007. Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) to EN 15804+A2 / ISO 14025 are available for the main product groups.
| Evidence | Laufen | Gmunden | Wilhelmsburg | Bechyně | Gliwice | Gryfice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | ||||||
| ISO 14001 | ||||||
| ISO 50001 | ||||||
| EMAS |
History
- 1892
Foundation of Keramik Holding AG LAUFEN as a pottery in Laufen, Switzerland (4 July 1892).
- 1924
Foundation of Steingutfabrik AG Gmunden-Engelhof.
- 1925
Keramik Laufen AG produces ceramics for the Swiss bathroom market.
- 1961
Start of sanitary ceramics production in Bechyně.
- 1967
Keramik Holding AG Laufen acquires a majority stake in ÖSPAG (Gmunden/Wilhelmsburg).
- 1991
LAUFEN takes over Jihočeská keramika Bechyně.
- 1999
LAUFEN becomes part of the Spanish Roca Group.
- 2002
Merger of the Bechyně and Znojmo plants into LAUFEN CZ s.r.o.
- 2006
Construction of a logistics centre and high-bay warehouse at the headquarters; EnAW label for Keramik Laufen AG.
- 2007
Roca takes over the faucet manufacturer Similor (founded 1854); EMAS Environmental Award for LAUFEN Austria GmbH.
- 2009
The faucet plant in Laufen starts production.
- 2023
First CO₂-free electric tunnel kiln (E-Kiln) commissioned in Gmunden.