THE MEDIA S RESOURCE FOR WRITING KITCHEN AND BATH TRENDS ARTICLES. Trends Talk. STREEBY: Innovative new flushing technologies, comfort

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1 THE MEDIA S RESOURCE FOR WRITING KITCHEN AND BATH TRENDS ARTICLES Trends Talk new toilet flushing technology from Kohler Kohler leads trends in flushing technology and choices, water savings, comfort and design. KATHRYN STREEBY Marketing Manager Sanitary Products Kohler Co. AND ED DEL GRANDE Triple Master Plumber Host of Warehouse Warriors and Ed the Plumber DIY Network Q: What s new in toilets is there a trend? STREEBY: Innovative new flushing technologies, comfort options and designs from Kohler offer consumers an unprecedented opportunity to demand performance, save water and seamlessly incorporate toilets into beautiful bathroom suites. I think it s fair to say that everything is changing, and that no other manufacturer has Kohler s range of choice. DEL GRANDE: The trend is choice. KOHLER toilets are evolving to satisfy all the wants of consumers. But honestly these toilets are so good, perhaps it s the consumer who is reacting to adapt to these new toilets and flushing technologies! However you look at it, the consumer is benefiting. There s now a custom-fit toilet from Kohler that will satisfy every consumer. Q: What s new when talking toilets? STREEBY: Kohler has introduced the Class Five flushing system, which now means four flushing technologies for the KOHLER brand more than any other manufacturer in the world. These four systems allow consumers to choose the blend of flushing power, quietness, cleanliness and water conservation that s just right for their homes. Q: Isn t a flush a flush? KOHLER Cimarron Comfort Height toilet features the new Class Five flushing system that delivers a fast, powerful flush. DEL GRANDE: Not at all. Consumers who think a toilet is a toilet haven t done their homework lately. Each of the flushing systems has a niche where it can be used best.

2 The trend is choice. KOHLER toilets are evolving to satisfy all the wants of consumers. ED DEL GRANDE For example, the Class Five flushing technology available on the KOHLER Cimarron Comfort Height toilet is a fast, powerful flush that also saves water. It s a simple, easy-to-install design that really works. A regular flush valve and flapper at the bottom of a toilet tank is typically 2 inches in diameter. But with Class Five, the flush valve and flapper are much larger inches across to release as much water from the tank in as short of period of time as possible. It s like pulling a trap door! Class Five 3 1 4" flush valve, the largest in the industry STREEBY: The Class Five system is fast and very powerful and exceptional at removing bulk waste with just one flush. If you want a toilet that has the power for bulk removal and just won t plug, its performance is tremendous. DEL GRANDE: Class Five has the performance of a pressure assist toilet but without the noise. A Cimarron toilet is great for a kid s bathroom because it has the power to handle whatever kids are going to throw in there. And Class Five is perfect for other heavy-use and unpredictable environments such as a hotel room or public restroom. Q: Is the Class Five flushing system exclusive to the KOHLER Cimarron toilet? STREEBY: As we receive more feedback from consumers and plumbers, we ll introduce new models with the Class Five flushing technology. In fact, initial evaluations have been so positive, it s likely that Kohler will introduce additional Class Five-powered toilets in the near future. Q: And you mentioned that the Cimarron toilet saves water? The KOHLER Class Five flushing system offers a 1.4-gallon flush setting to save water. DEL GRANDE: The Class Five Cimarron resourcefully makes great use of the federally mandated 1.6 gallon per flush maximum. Given wateravailability issues, especially out West, and with water bills increasing throughout the country, more and more smart consumers are already looking for an eco-friendly, water-saving flush option. And with the Cimarron toilet, a 1.4-gallon flush is as easy as adjusting the water level in the tank. STREEBY: Using the Cimarron 1.4-gallon flush option will save a family of four about 2,000 gallons of water per year. Water savings is definitely a strong trend in toilets.

3 Q: O.K. So why would a consumer choose any flushing system over the Class Five? KOHLER Ingenium sustained swirling motion provides a cleaner bowl and reduces odor. STREEBY: Consumers need and demand options. So, another great choice is the KOHLER Ingenium flushing system, with a gravity-fed siphon jet that provides exceptional resistance against plugging. It s a controlled flush that minimizes noise and splash while the sustained swirling motion of water helps keep the bowl ultra clean and odor-free. Ingenium offers best-in-its-class 3.5-gallon flushing performance in a 1.6-gallon package on a very broad selection of KOHLER one-piece and two-piece toilets. Ingenium also offers a choice of round-front, compact or elongated bowl shapes, and many models offer concealed trapways and Comfort Height. KOHLER Kathryn Comfort Height toilet with Ingenium flushing system DEL GRANDE: The Ingenium flapper is a standard 2 inches, so water is released at a slower rate than the Class Five. While you re trading a little in bulk flushing power, you do get a swirling bowl wash that lasts for five or six seconds so you re getting considerably more cleaning action. Again, with Kohler s choices, it s up to the consumer. I usually go with an Ingenium toilet in a master bath because it has a good, powerful but quiet flush and stays cleaner. And, as I said, I recommend the Class Five system in a kid s bathroom or any heavy-use bathroom because it is a real workhorse. Q: With both Class Five and Ingenium, it seems like product designers are learning how to do more with less water. Is this true? KOHLER Ingenium flushing system with gravity-fed siphon jet delivers 3.5-gallon performance in a 1.6-gallon package. STREEBY: What we re seeing with both of these flushing technologies is the payoff for a huge capital investment made by Kohler in the early 1990s to react to the 1.6 gallon per flush maximum mandate. A 3.5-gallon flush was a relatively inexact science, but a 1.6-gallon flush requires a very exact science because you have less than half the amount of water to work with. Many competitors did not then and still have not now invested in the fluid dynamics research necessary to match the Kohler Co. commitment to make the best 1.6-gallon flush in the world. Kohler s investment in computational fluid dynamics software to design better trapways, and the ability to simulate new ideas on a computer in pre-physical form, has put Kohler science and engineering at the forefront of the industry.

4 STERLING Rockton toilet with Dual Force flushing technology can save 6,000 gallons of water a year. DEL GRANDE: The fully glazed, computer-designed trapway in the Ingenium flushing system is a huge plus. It reminds me of the story of an old craftsman who made violins and guitars. He was asked why he did all the detail work to make it pretty on the inside because, after all, no one could see the inside to appreciate it. And the craftsman said: But I know it s there. And that s what Kohler has done. No one can see it, but all trapways in their commercial and residential toilets are glazed so they work even better. Additionally, Kohler engineers showed some real smarts when they gave many new toilets a wider footprint so when you replace an existing toilet, the new toilet will easily cover any rings or markings on the floor. Q: You mentioned that there are four flushing technologies could you describe the others? DUAL FLUSH WATER SAVER! THE STERLING ROCKTON TOILET The Rockton a new toilet from Sterling offers Dual Force, still another flushing technology from a KOHLER brand company. Dual Force employs a powerful gravity flush with a siphonic washdown system that directs 100 percent of the water through the rim to keep the bowl clean. The water-conserving Rockton also offers Comments by JOHN BROWN a twin touch Associate Product Manager actuator button Sterling Sanitary Products integrated in the tank lid the user selects water usage each time the toilet is flushed: 1.6 gallons for heavy waste or half that amount, 0.8 gallons, for light or liquid waste. A family of four can save up to 6,000 gallons of water per year over traditional 1.6-gallon toilets. Decreasing water demand and consumption not only benefits home and business owners in terms of lower water and sewer bills, but on a greater scale, benefits the municipalities they reside and work in as well. Less water consumption can delay or avoid the need for a municipality to expand or build new water treatment and wastewater facilities. Several large cities have already developed residential toilet replacement programs where they offer rebates to citizens if they replace their higher-consumption toilets with more water-efficient models like a STERLING Rockton toilet. STREEBY: Another flushing technology is Pressure Lite. This pressure-assist system employs compressed air within the reservoir to propel water to the rim and siphon jet. It s perfect for those who need a toilet that effectively removes bulk waste in high-usage, high-flush environments, such as hotels, schools, offices and airports. KOHLER DEL GRANDE: Pressure Lite toilets have Pressure Lite flushing system offers commercial a closed chamber tank it s a flushing power in a residential toilet. pressurized tank like a water tank in a house. Open the top of a Pressure Lite toilet and you don t see water, you see a tank. When you flush, the air pressure drives the water into the bowl with good, strong flushing power; in fact, you re getting commercial flushing power from a residential toilet. And because you have compressed air at work, you ll hear a whoosh! STREEBY: A pressure-assisted toilet is not usually the best choice for a bathroom off of a bedroom because it might wake people up, but if you have a powder room or a guest bathroom that gets a lot of use, a Pressure Lite or Class Five toilet might be more appropriate. It s also a great choice for commercial environments like churches, schools and small stadiums where there will be high frequency usage over a short period of time. It can be used over and over without waiting for the tank to refill. Q: And what is the fourth flushing technology? STREEBY: The final KOHLER flushing system is the Power Lite, the industry s most powerful residential flush. This is a toilet with a lot of horsepower that I heard one designer call the Ferrari of toilets! Kohler engineers developed the

5 KOHLER Power Lite flushing system offers a quiet, pressure-assisted flush. KOHLER San Raphael Power Lite toilet NEW DRYLOCK INSTALLATION SYSTEM STREEBY: One of the newest ideas from Kohler designers and engineers is the DryLock system on the Cimarron Comfort Height toilet that makes tank-to-bowl installation fast and easy. The DryLock system attaches the tank to the bowl using a slide-and-snap plate system rather than bolts through the toilet tank. Bolts and tank gaskets no longer sit in the tank water. Installation requires only one tool a 1 2-inch socket wrench. I ve seen plumbers attach the tank to the bowl in as little as 20 seconds. DEL GRANDE: The DryLock system is a big reason I recommend the Cimarron Comfort Height toilet to doit-yourselfers. There are no washers or gaskets, and you don t have to worry about overtightening and possibly cracking the porcelain tank. But the biggest advantage is five years down the pike: Those bolts aren t sitting in water nothing s going to rust on you. We constantly get calls to replace tank bolts, but with DryLock there s one less reason to call a plumber. Power Lite flushing technology because consumers liked the performance of a pressure-assisted flush but wanted a quieter flush. The KOHLER San Raphael Power Lite toilet uses a 0.2-horsepower pump that s powered by 110V electricity, and installed within a waterproof housing in the tank. It s powerful and quiet and also offers a choice each time you flush. Press one side of the button for a 1.4-gallon flush designed for solid waste, or the other side for a 1.0-gallon flush for liquid waste. Although you re using less water, it flushes like a marvel because it s pump assisted. And because of the dual flush, a household of four can save more than 5,000 gallons of water per year over typical 1.6-gallon toilets. Whether it s concern for the environment or a reaction to high water bills, a San Raphael toilet will pay for itself. DEL GRANDE: A San Raphael Power Lite represents the best of both worlds. Like all things in life, the best costs more, but this is one powerful and quiet flush! The two-stage pump delivers results. Because you need an outlet behind the toilet, a San Raphael toilet is ideal for new construction, but once you have that, you might as well add a contoured Heated French Curve toilet seat from Kohler for the ultimate in comfort. Q: What else is new in toilets you mentioned comfort options? STREEBY: KOHLER Comfort Height toilets are more than a trend! Kohler market research found that more people preferred sitting on something that was the same height as a dining room chair, and now Kohler sells nearly as many Comfort Height toilets as regular-height toilets. Comfort Height toilets actually meet Americans with Disabilities Act height guidelines, but they re simply the same KOHLER toilets as before just a little taller. KOHLER Heated French Curve toilet seat

6 CACHET : THE COOLEST TOILET SEAT DEL GRANDE: The new Cachet Quiet- Close toilet seat from Kohler is a revelation! Just a slight touch on the seat and it closes slowly and silently. It s perfect for children there s no slamming and no pinched fingers. Plus, a constant slamming of seats can actually damage the bowl or the seat or both. And the oldest argument in the book about leaving the seat up or down? Well, there s no argument now. If the seat is up, just touch the lid and the Quiet-Close toilet seat does the rest. STREEBY: The Cachet is so cool! That s what everyone says who sees it. Kohler did market research and focus groups in major cities and asked consumers about cleaning their bathrooms. An overwhelming majority said they didn t like cleaning around toilet seat hinges. And that feedback influenced the design of the KOHLER Cachet toilet seat. So not only is the seat non-slamming, but its Quick- Release feature enables consumers to swiftly remove the toilet seat for easy cleaning, then easily snap it back in place, all without the use of a tool! KOHLER Devonshire Comfort Height toilet with Ingenium flushing system KOHLER Serif Comfort Height toilet with Ingenium flushing system DEL GRANDE: You sit on a dining room chair or on an office chair at a pretty consistent height, so why would you want to sit lower on a toilet? Comfort Height is one of those ideas that s so simple and so right, you can t believe it. They can be a little high for children and petite women, but just about everyone else loves them. I have Comfort Height toilets in my own house, and now when I use a regular-height toilet, I really notice the difference. STREEBY: Another component of comfort where Kohler really stands out is the toilet seat. Unlike some manufacturers, Kohler now uses computeraided design to map a grid of pressure points, and this approach has led to a great deal of design refinement over the last five years. Plus, a heated seat like the KOHLER French Curve is perfect for climates that experience cold winters or hotter climates where homes are air conditioned. DEL GRANDE: Kohler also offers three bowl shapes for added choice and comfort: the standard round-front, elongated and compact elongated. The egg-shaped elongated bowl is recommended for increased comfort for adults plus, a larger water spot to keep the bowl clean and minimize odor. One-piece compact toilets allow an elongated bowl to fit in a round-front bowl space, so they re best for powder rooms and smaller bathrooms. Q: Are we seeing new toilet designs? STREEBY: The biggest trend in toilet design is part of an overall preference for suites in the bathroom. Consumers aren t thinking about toilets singularly anymore. Now most are looking for toilet design lines and faucetry and accessories that match the pedestal lavatory or the bathtub. Kohler has long-standing bathroom suites like Memoirs and Portrait, but now there are wonderful suites of every design and at every price. Remodeling bathrooms is a big trend, and KOHLER suites are in high KOHLER Cachet Quiet-Close toilet seat closes slowly and silently. The Quick-Release feature makes cleaning fast and easy.

7 demand by both professional and do-it-yourself remodelers. RESOURCES ON THE WEB For more information on KOHLER toilets, visit: DEL GRANDE: The popularity of suites is phenomenal it s a big trend in bathroom remodeling! And the beautiful part is that if you remodel, you re going to get your money back. There was an article in a trade magazine that answered the what s-the-best-remodeling-investment question. A master bathroom remodel and a remodel of another bathroom were both among the top five. So you get to enjoy your new bathroom and then get your money back when you sell the house. KOHLER Memoirs Suite: bidet, Comfort Height toilet with Ingenium flushing system and neo-angle shower STREEBY: I think the overall trend here is that whether it s flushing technology, water savings, comfort or design, Kohler has completely redefined the toilet over the last few years. HOW TO REQUEST PHOTOS For high-resolution versions of these photos suitable for press use and print reproduction, please contact the Kohler Public Relations Department. ABOUT KOHLER CO. Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is a world leader in products for the kitchen and bath, and one of the oldest and largest privately held companies in the United States. For additional consumer information, call KOHLER ( ) For additional press information, contact the Kohler Public Relations Department