Check Out the Robotic Toilet That Made Kohler a Net Exporter of American-Made Products
- Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:00pm by
Liz Klimas
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America is well known as one of the world’s biggest importers, especially, it seems, when it comes to goods made in China. But one Wisconsin-based company has become a net exporter of American-made goods to China and other countries overseas.
What’s in such demand? High-end plumbing products. The Wall Street Journal reports that plumbing manufacturer Kohler has seen a growing demand overseas for its plumbing products, one of which is a robotic toilet called Numi. According to Engadget, Numi retails for $6,400 but a lot of technology and quality porcelain goes into this commode:
Looking something akin to a fancy pop-top waste bin, Numi comes complete with a self-opening and closing lid so you never have to touch the toilet seat; a self-cleaning bidet with adjustable controls for temperature and water pressure; heating elements to keep your toes and tush toasty; an illuminated panel for nighttime rendezvous; a built-in speaker system that connects to a remote docking station to ensure only you know exactly what you’re doing in there; and a deodorizing element that sucks air from the bowl through a charcoal filter. Of course, no connected appliance would be complete without a touchscreen, and the Numi’s no exception; it has a touch panel remote that you can use to set to your specifications.
Numi in action. (Image: The Home Depot)
Watch the Numi promo video to see it in all its glory:
Numi is currently on backorder according to WSJ. Other toilets and high-end sinks are in demand from the manufacturer as well.
WSJ reports Kohler’s demand being split 50/50 between U.S. and overseas consumers, but its production in North America as dropped 30 percent since 2008, whereas it is building new factories aboard:
The company plans to open its 12th Chinese factory soon, in the central manufacturing city of Zibo. It says the facility will be the largest producer of pottery products in the country.
Still, Herbert V. Kohler Jr., Kohler’s chairman and chief executive, is reported as saying without the downturn at home, the company may not have had the capacity to export the way it has now. For the company, the stable or growing demand overseas has helped reduce the blow that came with American’s recession.
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Comments (79)
stmoad
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 12:55amI own a ‘washlet’. I think its fantastic. This one is REALLY expensive, but is the whole toilet. Mine is a seat you just put on an existing throne (A brondell swash 1000 – if your interested). I am a British National who lives here, and am better versed in American politics than most Americans are. Anyway, I never understood the American dismissal even sneering of a bidet. If you got some poo on your finger, you wouldn’t just wipe it off with paper and call your self clean. Its a great and healthy thing.
This thing looks cool and modern, though I have read lots of bad reviews of Kohler products, so i would be hesitant to throw down 6.4k on one. But I can’t recommend the concept enough to someone. They are pretty fantastic.
Trust me, I’m an Englishman, :-)
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 7:33amNo friend, were not going to trust you guys again :) Were working full time here to keep European Socialism away from our Country.
Now for bidets;
Report Post »1. How do you know you got everything?
2. What do you do when you’re done, with your butt all wet, walk around with soggy underwear for a couple hours?
Moshy1
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:26amNo you WASH your hands you idiot.
Report Post »Hobbs57
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 4:17pmI am a plumber by trade. I had installed enough bidet’s in South Florida, Boca Raton, for the large Jewish Community there. It really didn’t seem they were even used very often, but more of a product for looks. Anyways, I will pass on Kohler. Their products are always the most expensive and parts for them are always a pain in the butt to find. And that is a “butt” that wasn’t washed with a butt washer 5,000 or whatever they call it. With that being said, I am sure there is a hug market for such a product over seas. You wouldn’t believe what people pay for some plumbing parts. I got specifically into what I would call “ high end” plumbing, some stuff being 24k Gold plated. If I would have stayed in Florida and continued to plumb, this is the work I would have focused on. Good Money !! Come to think of it, seems most of the welathy people all had Kohler products. I suppose for two reasons, 1) They were the on of only a few making some of these ridiculous pieces and fixtures, and 2)Being they were the most expensive and people tend to think the most expensive is always the best. You have to be good when working with this stuff, I assure you. One little mess up cost me $1,200 in pay, and I had never messed up again after that. I had thought about designing stuff like this, maybe I should reconsider and take a look at it again.
Report Post »supressorgrid
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 5:47pmAfter the booty spray you wind up smelling like a frenchman.
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on April 1, 2012 at 12:37amTRUST ME, I’m your president!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »GOD3USA
Posted on April 7, 2012 at 2:08pmLOL. Oh yes, you are just the greatest person ever! hahaha
Report Post »But we know you do Not want to live in Socialist England anymore!
riseandshine
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 12:05amFancy turlet
Report Post »Maxim Crux
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:42pmwhat happens when the power goes out?
Report Post »stmoad
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 1:36amwater still flushes with out power. The seat would be cold though. And you would have to use paper.
Report Post »Ialmostforgot
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 8:37amA 4 hour Battery backed Power Supply is additional.
Report Post »Reavin
Posted on April 1, 2012 at 11:13amWater flushes on a normal toilet without electricity, yes. But if an electric toilet has an electric valve controlled by an electric relay that does the flushing, no power means no flushing.
Report Post »amwentz
Posted on April 7, 2012 at 1:06pmOh, CRAP!
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:25pmAn ‘illuminated panel for nighttime rendevous’?? That reminds me of Triumph, the Insult Dog’s album, ‘Come Poop With Me’. No wonder I struck out at the bars so many times. I was using the wrong line. Dang.
Report Post »AllAmericanGirl22
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:23pmcooool!
Report Post »brickmoon
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:17pmThe touchscreen remote even comes with an app that rhymes with “Angry Birds,” and one that’s billed as the opposite of Facebook.
They’re considering dropping the New York Times app on the remote, because folks automatically try to use it to wipe…
An optional feature is a leaky fixture that spouts inane and outrageous remarks — they call it a Joe Bidet.
Its suction is so powerful, that it can make a half-billion-dollar solar cell startup “investment” disappear in a single flush.
And as an ally in the “war against women,” it has a setting that automatically keeps the seat up.
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on April 1, 2012 at 3:27pm“the opposite of Facebook” – LOL, Brickmoon! (I’ve been calling it that since it started.) Your other options were just as good, BTW.
Report Post »dbeesh
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:15pmScenerio:
Report Post »Get up at 2 am, needing to go REALLY bad. No remote, tap dancing around the bathroom looking for the remote. No remote. Don’t want to wake the wife. Pee in sink….
stmoad
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 1:35amnaw, it will have a few basic functions on the side of the thing.
Report Post »On The Silent Wings Of Freedom
Posted on April 1, 2012 at 4:10amWell, if you didn’t want to wake her up, I hope you peed down your leg like a true gentleman.
Report Post »PrfctlyFrank
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:03pmOkay, I want to know, does that thing provide for a higher level of sanitation that a regular toilet? If it does I want it mandated under the affordable health care act.
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 1:21amOr by the EPA in all new construction..
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:01pmWhen standing up does it still splash all over the walls, floor and legs?
Report Post »stmoad
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 1:37amno, it has a sensor that only works if someone is on the seat. Like an iphone screen only responds if someone is touching it.
Report Post »powedj
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:54pmI want one!.
Report Post »a1776patriot
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:41pm$10,000 says that remote will have angry birds, words w/ friend on it or the ipad/iphone gets a remote control toilet app.
Report Post »VoteRightDammit
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:31pmObama:
“Quick, Eric – order 5,000 of these with our left-over stimulus money and get them to our Occupy troopers. Oh – and make sure my annual membership in Man’s Country is up to date.”
Holder: “Youssa, Boss”
Report Post »FungalWarrior
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:25pmA Prolific Purveyor of Pottery Potty Products!
Report Post »Tankertony
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:48pmdoes that thing in the back come down and wipe your butt?
perfect for the lazy, gov’t dependent hoodies….
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:40pmIn Islam they prefer a hole in the ground. Islam has no place in the West. Islam out of the West now.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 2:01amlol
Report Post »CATPBJ
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 1:04pmlol
Wow, a real thinker here. Muslims out of the west. —– LOL
No wonder Glen Beck is so popular among conservatives. No thinking required!
Report Post »83plus
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:32pmHow lazy are we getting?
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:32pmSo this is why the machines rose and killed humanity in The Terminator, they were tired of taking our crap.
Report Post »83plus
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:47pmROFL Nice
Report Post »Onowicit
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:54pmOK Darmok you made me want to try.this is your fault
Rise of the TURDINATOR
Report Post »Onowicit
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:55pm@Onowicit
Shut……….. up!
Report Post »burnbabylon
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:25pm@ Darmok & onowicit. Laughed so hard I had to pee. Bad aim made it short circuit.
Report Post »83plus
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 11:30am@Onowicit
Well that’s a crappy situation. Bad pun I know.
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:24pmIf I was President I would hammer the hell out of Kohler for doing the bulk of its manufacturing overseas. Heres what I would do. I would tax any company doing more than 40% of its business and manufacturing overseas by an additional 30% and then give them a way out of it by giving a 2 year tax break if they shift the focus on creating American jobs so the bulk of the business stays in the USA. Otherwise I would crush em with taxes and import fees so it would be too expensive to do business outside the USA. See they need our consumerism.
Report Post »WeekendAtBernankes
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:29pmI hope that was sarcastic.
Report Post »lassiegirldawn
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:22pm“Isn’t that special,” they get the crapper and we get the ****!!!
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:18pmSo when the power goes out…will I be able to use the toilet???? NO…bad
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:43pmIt’s all part of green energy (No longer will the bear have to go in the woods).
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 9:36amYes…but the “Bare” will?!
Report Post »mrawfull
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:17pmThat’s a little bit overkill if you ask me.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:47pmOriental foods tend to go right through ya.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:11pm.
Report Post »Maybe next time they can develop one that actually flushes.
thespank
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:09pmAs a jack of all plumber, I gotta say. Kohler sucks! Stick with delta.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:07pmAnd people wonder at times why I just shake my head…
Report Post »Zoe
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:50pmWe’re shaken our heads too….
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:07pm…but if your an OWS idiot you just go in the street, on cop cars, ATM lobbies, public street corners and parks…sad we can’t make these in America due to taxes, unions and regulations…it seems a little bit overboard for a toilet though…
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:11pmwow, read that article wrong…we DO make these here…oops…humility is a good thing. The OWS statement stands though!!
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