KOHLER generators join Admiral Richard Byrd on his historic South Pole expedition. The generators are the crew’s sole power source. ​When the mission ends, Byrd abandons the generators. In 1933, he returns and digs them out of the snow. The generators start on the first attempt; word quickly spreads.​

KOHLER is the behind-the-scenes star of nearly every Hollywood classic, powering film cameras and sound-recording equipment.​

The U.S. achieves one of the world’s most significant engineering achievements—the Hoover Dam. At night, KOHLER generators power construction lights, allowing work to continue around the clock. The dam is completed in record time.​

U.S. entry into World War II marked KOHLER’s first foray into global power. Kohler generators were shipped to troops in every theater, supporting vital war efforts while serving as a bulwark against curtailed wartime demand for plumbing goods. Not only were the generators good business, but they also proved the value of a diversified product base – a philosophy held by the company to this day.

KOHLER created its famous K-Series engines, the first standalone gasoline engine for lawn and landscape, agriculture, and snowmobiles.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge opens—the longest continuous overwater steel structure in the world. KOHLER generators power the bridge’s ​many lights, illuminating the way for nighttime commuters.

KOHLER produces its 1,000,000th engine.

KOHLER’s Generator Division moves its operations to a 320,000-square-foot facility here in the town of Mosel, Wisconsin. ​At the new factory, KOHLER increases output to power even more customers worldwide.​

The Federal Aviation Administration entrusts KOHLER generators to provide emergency backup power to all U.S. airports.​

KOHLER creates the world’s first electronic fuel injection (EFI) engine for lawn mowers.

KOHLER becomes the world’s third-largest generator manufacturer by acquiring French-based SDMO Industries, a worldwide leader known for premium ranges of generator sets.​

KOHLER acquires Lombardini to create diesel engines presence.

KOHLER acquires Uninterruptible Power Supplies, Ltd. (UPSL). During an outage, uninterruptible power products keep facilities running until utility power is employed or a standby generator takes over.​

Power Systems launches the KD Series 4MW generator, setting KOHLER apart as the most powerful diesel generator manufacturer in the market.​

Robert Swan Expedition​ Robert Swan, OBE, became the first person to walk on both the North and South Poles.  KOHLER is proud to have powered his epic journey to Antarctica with clean energy.​

Kohler Power becomes Kohler Energy.​ Beyond the change of name, this change reinforces KOHLER’s focus on building the foundation for a stronger, sustainable future to align with a strategy of providing energy resilience to homes, businesses, and communities around the world.

Kohler Energy becomes Rehlko, an independent business with a clear purpose and renewed vision.