milestones, Kahla porcelain

Milestones

1844 Christian Eckardt founds the porcelain factory Kahla. The first porcelain is fired on October 23rd.

1856 August Koch assumes ownership and Kahla emerges as the largest porcelain manufacturer in Thuringia. 

1888 Establishment of a joint stock corporation by Bankhaus Strupp.

1914 The porcelain factory Kahla is one of Germany’s largest porcelain manufacturers and incorporates, among others, the porcelain factories Arzberg, Hutschenreuther and Schönwald.

1946 The porcelain factory Kahla becomes a Soviet stock corporation.

1952 Kahla becomes a state-owned enterprise (VEB).

1961 Factory and office buildings are newly built at the present site and modern tunnel kiln technology is installed. 50 percent of the products are exported to Eastern and Western European countries.

1979 The VEB Feinkeramik (Fine Ceramics) includes 17 porcelain factories with 18,000 employees. Its headquarters are located in Kahla.

1991 The Treuhand privatisation agency privatises the company, two years later it has to file for bankruptcy.

1994 KAHLA/Thüringen Porzellan GmbH is re-founded with Günther Raithel as majority partner.  Following substantial investments KAHLA now is equipped with a groundbreaking production technology.

1995 Introduction of the KAHLA hotel porcelain lines.

1996 First porcelain manufacturer in former East Germany certified as conforming to the DIN ISO 9001 quality standard.

1997 Introduction of the promotional products division "ARTVERTISING by KAHLA".

1998 KAHLA achieves breakthrough with the Update concept. International Porcelain Workshop KAHLA kreativ in Kahla.

1999 New 225 m² trade fair stand in Frankfurt/Main. The volume of sales doubles. International design contest "Survival Kit" to support young designers.

2000 The Raithel family becomes the sole owner of KAHLA/Thüringen Porzellan GmbH.

2002  Exports increase and account now for 45% of sales. KAHLA products are available in 55 countries.

2004 International design contest "Tomorrow's Parties“. Commissioning of a state-of-the-art robot press. 40th design award in ten years.

2006 Landmark in the "Land of Ideas". Design contest "20 Hotel Dreams".

2007 With OPUS and KAHLA Individual, KAHLA enters the premium segment. 60th design award.

2008 Design project "Functional Gifts" with Burg Giebichenstein, University of Art and Design in Halle.

2009 Introduction of the KAHLA pro Eco sustainability strategy.

2010 Installation of a photovoltaic system on the roofs of the production halls.
International Porcelain Workshop KAHLA-Kreativ in Kahla.
70th design award.

2011 Commissioning of a modern firing and handling system.

2012 TÜV certification as environmentally responsible company according to ISO 14001. 
Opening KAHLA Point of Brand, Berlin.

2013 80th design award.

2014 Introduction of the world novelty Magic Grip – Porcelain with an integrated silicone foot.
KAHLA celebrates its anniversary - 170 years "Made in Germany".
KAHLA becomes member of the sustainability convention NAT Thuringia, Germany, a network for sustainable economic activities.

2015 90th design award.
International Porcelain Workshop KAHLA-Kreativ under the motto “Wandellust” with final event in Kahla.

2016 With the launch of the To Go mug concept cupit, KAHLA is setting another great example for environmental awareness in everyday life.

2017 100th design award.

2018 International Porcelain Workshop KAHLA kreativ under the motto “Tasting Tomorrow”.

2019 KAHLA celebrates 175 porcelain production

2020 Foundation of the Porzellanmanufaktur Kahla/Thüringen GmbH and takeover of the business by Daniel Jeschonowski as new owner and managing director

 
 
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Youtube