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 Craftsmanship Perfection to Industrial Excellence

 

The space has been meticulously transformed, converting existing scenes in the plant into interactive displays and stations for the tour. This creates a varied overall narrative that deliberately avoids over-technological entertainment. The aim was to set new standards in sustainable corporate presentation and convey LAUFEN's values and philosophy. Participants can engage all their senses to experience the journey through the factory and even create their own ceramic bowl. Information on history, sustainable production, and innovation is presented in a playful and entertaining manner, always directly connected with the objects, tools, machines, and products in the factory spaces and workshops.

 

Just as in production, where great attention is given to the reuse of materials, this theme is also central to the design of the visitor tour. The designers have repurposed on-site materials, such as old casting molds, into seating, displays, and tables, while using LAUFEN products to create entertaining and visually appealing elements. Throughout the tour, visitors are accompanied by delightful LAUFEN characters—crafted from casting molds, washbasins, and brush holders—providing engaging company both around and inside the factory.