Spa operator and bathroom fixtures company Kohler has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire saunas, steamrooms and hydrothermal area specialist Klafs from investment company Egeria Group.

The agreement was signed on 1 December and is still subject to customary closing conditions. Final closing is expected in the first quarter of 2024.

Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed.

Klafs CEO Phillip Rock and CFO Jens Friedrich will continue in their leadership roles, and the company will join Kohler’s Luxury Brands division with other brands including Ann Sacks, Kallista, Robern and Kast Concrete Basins.

Headquartered in Germany, Klafs develops, designs, manufactures and sells premium wellness products designed to enhance personal spa experiences.

Its remit includes saunas, sanariums, infrared cabins, steam baths, pools and related wellness equipment and accessories. In addition, the company provides consultation and planning services.

“Klafs is an international market leader with a stellar reputation that shares our passion for innovation and delighting customers,” said David Kohler, chair and CEO of Kohler. “We look forward to welcoming the organisation to Kohler and, together, driving continued growth in sauna and spa solutions.”

Klafs sells its products through a direct-to-consumer showroom network that primarily spans Europe to both residential and commercial (including hotels, day spas and fitness centres) clients.

New direction

Klafs recently started a new chapter in 2021 when it was acquired by Egeria. Since then, Klafs has acquired UK-based swimming pool supplier Guncast and acquired a majority stake in UK-based spa and thermal experience specialist Dröm UK.

Hannes Rumer, partner and managing director at Egeria in Munich, said: “Over the last years we have worked with Phillip and the entire team at Klafs on transforming the company from a strong player in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to a pan-European market leader.

“It has been a great entrepreneurial team-up and we’re especially proud of the successful roll-out of Klafs’ exciting product portfolio in Northern and Western Europe. Kohler is the ideal partner to maintain the high-end positioning of the brand.”

Phillip Rock, CEO of Klafs: “With their commitment and dedication, our employees have made Klafs a globally recognised brand. With Kohler behind us, we’ll open new doors and take our success story to a new level.”