In celebration of this milestone, LAUFEN is launching a series of events, collaborations, and initiatives to highlight the rich industrial and cultural heritage at our core.
100 YEARS OF LAUFEN IN GMUNDEN
A Century of craftsmanship at LAUFEN's historic production site in Austria
One of the most important LAUFEN locations is celebrating a momentus milestone this year: 100 years of industrial production of ceramics in Gmunden, a site rooted in the region’s rich heritage and culture. From these beginnings, LAUFEN has developed into a global player in sanitary ceramics with unique expertise that has pioneered innovations that have shaped the industry. Visitors can experience the pivotal chapters of its history through guided factory tours that LAUFEN is offering during 2024.
A Year Full of Projects
In 2024, the LAUFEN facility in Gmunden, a cornerstone of the region's rich ceramic heritage, will celebrate its 100th anniversary. This milestone coincides with Gmunden's participation as the "European Capital of Culture Salzkammergut 2024."
Remarkably, for the first time in 40 years, the European Union has chosen an entire region—encompassing 23 Austrian municipalities in Salzburg and Styria—to showcase the vibrant fusion of life, work, and culture in rural areas.
The 100-year history of LAUFEN in Gmunden represents continuous progress, passionate commitment, and outstanding quality in design.
Christian Schäfer, Managing Director LAUFEN Austria AG
100 YEARS OF INNOVATION:
AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY THROUGH THE WORLD OF LAUFEN
Immerse yourself in the world of LAUFEN and experience 100 years of innovation and sustainability
Gmunden, located in the picturesque Salzkammergut region of Austria, has long been a centre of ceramic production, dating back to the Stone Age when the first clay vessels for salt extraction were crafted. Since 1924, one of LAUFEN's most significant locations in Gmunden has been manufacturing industrial ceramics for bathrooms, marking a century of production this year.
To celebrate this anniversary, LAUFEN has invited the internationally renowned Viennese design studio mischer'traxler to create an immersive Customer Experience journey at our Gmunden facility, skillfully combining analogue and technological presentation techniques. This journey of discovery for local and international visitors, as well as industry professionals, leads through the history, current production, and sustainable innovations of LAUFEN.
FROM CERAMICS AND CULTURE:
THE HISTORY OF THE TOILET
The K-Hof Kammerhof Museum in the centre of Gmunden is home to the “Klo & So” sanitary museum. This collection of historical sanitary objects, the largest in the world, has been meticulously curated by LAUFEN over more than 70 years, illustrating the history of bathroom culture and the changes in hygiene standards over the last few centuries.
Everyone needs to use the toilet, whether it's called the latrine, privy, WC, or simply "the loo" – even Empress Sisi. This everyday object, often unnecessarily surrounded by embarrassment, carries significant social importance since almost half of humanity still lacks access to safe sanitary facilities. The absence of such facilities has severe impacts on clean drinking water, health, and the environment.
On the occasion of this special year, Austrian artist and curator Petra Zechmeister has been commissioned by LAUFEN to redesign the exhibition of the Klo & So Sanitary Museum at the K-Hof Museum, reflecting the current significance of the topic. The result is an informative and entertaining journey through the history of the toilet and sanitary ceramics.
