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Kohler
2.8 of 5 106 reviews
www.kohler.com Kohler, WI 5000+ Employees
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Kohler Reviews

Updated May 13, 2013
All Employees Current Employees Only

2.8 106 reviews

                             

49% Approve of the CEO

Kohler Chairman and CEO Herbert V. Kohler Jr.

Herbert V. Kohler Jr.

(73 ratings)

38% of employees recommend this company to a friend
106 employee reviews
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Current Employee – been working at Kohler full-time

ProsLarge multinational company with a good reputation. Good benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401k with match, pension. Privately held with over 80% of profit reinvested in the company.

ConsBad location: the Village of Kohler is only 2,000 people, Sheboygan is only 50,000. Bad location if you are young. If you are married with kids it is a pretty good place. Although the benefits are good, actual pay is below average in most positions.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

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Cheltenham, England

Former Employee – worked at Kohler

Prosin general staff is ok, hard working in spite not thanks to current management. Given some leadership potential of a great team.

ConsToo much favourtism, lack of leadership, working on basically flawed strategic plans, heard people rather than leading them. Can not find and if they do or retain good people

Advice to Senior Managementlearn to give direction, give attainable goals to people. Trust is a two way street, staff does not trust its managers, finance management simple is rubbish. Give up on the idea to establish an SSC! You do not have the leadership, multiculturalism required.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

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Former Employee – worked at Kohler

ProsGreat co-workers. You can be proud of their products.

ConsIt's not what you know, it's who you know. There are definitely "select" people that get the training, promotions, money and who's opinion is valued. Upper management does not listen to or care about employees. They say they do but when it comes down to it you're a number. Lots of training for good processes that you never use in "real life".

Advice to Senior ManagementMy advice wouldn't matter.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

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Current Employee – been working at Kohler for more than 7 years

ProsSolid company with great products, so you can believe in what you're selling. Privately owned so long-term strategies are executable without worry of shareholder's being upset.

ConsHard to advance in the company as upper management is limited. Pay is below average to average. Location of the headquarters, which is where one must reside to advance in the company.

Advice to Senior ManagementEmpower your employees more and eliminate all of the layers.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

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Former Employee – worked at Kohler full-time for more than 7 years

Pros-Great place to get started
-Even with unrealistic goals, relatively low pressure environment
-Rarely micromanaged
-Industry "leader" in terms of brand recognition
-If you're a manger who prefers power to pay, come and get it

Cons-Way too many layers, they're more of a marketing firm than manufacturing
-Limited growth opportunity unless you are willing to move to BFE
-Consolidated many mid-level management positions
-Terrible pay
-Some of the promotions were laughable

Advice to Senior Management-If you like being a "stepping stone" and don't mind losing good people after a short time, don't change anything
-Start addressing the cons
-Check the egos and pride of the few at the top

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

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Kohler, WI (US)

Former Employee – worked at Kohler full-time for more than 3 years

ProsGreat Brand. Great Marketing. Great Venue.

ConsClosed, Secretive, and Combative Top Management Culture

Advice to Senior ManagementDevelop leaders internally and stop the change outs at the top

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

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Miami, FL (US)

Current Employee – been working at Kohler full-time for more than 7 years

ProsGreat crew to work with

ConsCommission structure too low compared to other companies. Salary low in comparison.

Advice to Senior ManagementNeed to raise commission rate in order to keep employees.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

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Kohler, WI (US)

Former Employee – worked at Kohler as an intern for less than a year

ProsI had many hands on projects that served to further my understanding of working in industry and my knowledge of electrical engineering. My mentor was very helpful but not too controlling. He allowed me to work and make mistakes on my own and learn from them, and offered his assistance and advice when I asked or was struggling.

ConsThe downside to my position at Kohler Engines was that there was not much design experience. It was mostly troubleshooting fixing other people's mistakes.

Advice to Senior ManagementBe more involved in the co-op's programs and projects.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

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Kohler, WI (US)

Former Employee – worked at Kohler as an intern for less than a year

ProsIn automotive applications, "boost" refers to the amount by which intake manifold pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure. This is representative of the extra air pressure that is achieved over what would be achieved without the forced induction. The level of boost may be shown on a pressure gauge, usually in bar, psi or possibly kPa

ConsIn aircraft engines, turbocharging is commonly used to maintain manifold pressure as altitude increases (i.e. to compensate for lower-density air at higher altitudes)

Advice to Senior ManagementThe engine management system continually chooses among three combustion modes: ultra lean burn, stoichiometric, and full power output.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

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Kohler, WI (US)

Current Employee – been working at Kohler full-time for more than a year

ProsSolid education within the company. Excellent opportunity for stretch assignments and they usually promote from within.

ConsTuition reimbursement is not great

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

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