Klafs
KLAFS GmbH is a German luxury sauna and thermal wellness manufacturer, founded 1928 and owned by Kohler Co. since 2024. It designs bespoke sauna systems and integrated thermal journey spas for five-star hotels, affluent residential homeowners, and premium spa facilities across Europe, the UK, and the US.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1928
- HeadquartersSchwäbisch Hall, Germany
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Klafs does
KLAFS GmbH (operating as Klafs) is a German manufacturer of luxury sauna systems, steam baths, and integrated thermal wellness solutions, founded in 1928 and headquartered in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. The company designs and builds high-end products for three primary customer segments: five-star hotels and luxury hospitality venues seeking bespoke wellness amenities, affluent residential homeowners investing in premium home wellness, and standalone premium spa and wellness facilities. Its technology portfolio centers on retractable sauna architecture — exemplified by the S1, a flagship unit that expands from a bookshelf footprint to three times its size at the touch of a button and delivers five climate experiences up to 210°F — as well as fully integrated thermal journey spa circuits that combine sauna, steam, ice, halotherapy, hydrotherapy and vitality pools within a single design.
KLAFS generates revenue through two principal streams: one-time, high-value hardware sales of luxury saunas to residential and commercial buyers, and bespoke professional-services engagements that design, engineer, and install custom thermal spa circuits in luxury hotels and wellness facilities. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, reflecting the custom nature of installations and long sales cycles typical of luxury goods. Distribution is a hybrid of direct-to-consumer sales (via the KLAFS USA website), field sales to enterprise hospitality clients, and channel partnerships (e.g., Guncast Pools and Wellness in the UK).
Following its 2024 acquisition by Kohler Co. from Egeria Group, KLAFS operates as part of Kohler's Luxury Brands division, with approximately 501–1,000 employees globally. The integration has expanded KLAFS's commercial reach into Kohler's established enterprise sales network and major trade venues (KBIS 2025, Milan Design Week), and enabled a March 2026 entry into the U.S. residential market via the S1 launch. UK operations are run through Klafs UK with Guncast as a specialized channel partner, with flagship projects including London's first fully integrated thermal journey spa at The Newman hotel in Fitzrovia.
Klafs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Klafs
- Legal name
- KLAFS GmbH
- Website
- https://klafs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1928
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- KLAFS GmbH is a German luxury sauna and thermal wellness manufacturer, founded 1928 and owned by Kohler Co. since 2024. It designs bespoke sauna systems and integrated thermal journey spas for five-star hotels, affluent residential homeowners, and premium spa facilities across Europe, the UK, and the US.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Klafs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Saunas and Thermal Wellness Equipment
- NAICS
- Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)
- SIC
- Heating Equip, Except Elec & Warm Air; & Plumbing Fixtures (3430), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sauna & Steam Bath Facilities (HSADAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Thermal Baths, Hot Springs & Saunas (Onsen, Hammams, Banya, Sauna Worlds) (THAJAHAD), Hydrotherapy & Thermal Spa Services (Sauna/Steam/Hot Tubs) (HSALAFAF)
Keywords
Where Klafs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Schwäbisch Hall
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Klafs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Luxury Sauna Hardware Sales: KLAFS generates revenue primarily through the sale of high-end, luxury sauna units including the flagship S1 retractable sauna. Products are sold directly to residential consumers and commercial hospitality clients. Hardware sales are one-time, high-value transactions with long sales cycles typical of luxury goods.
- Custom Commercial Installation and Integration: Revenue is generated through bespoke commercial installations in luxury hotels and wellness facilities, including design, engineering, and integration of full thermal spa circuits. These projects are custom, high-value engagements with professional services components.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | S1 Retractable Sauna - available in three sizes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Klafs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Klafs manufactures and integrates high-quality luxury sauna systems, steam baths, and complementary thermal wellness products, including the S1 retractable sauna and fully integrated thermal journey spa installations. The company sells directly to affluent residential homeowners and designs bespoke multi-circuit thermal installations for five-star hotels and premium wellness facilities.
Product overview
Klafs is a German luxury sauna brand founded in 1928, acquired by Kohler in 2024. The company offers a portfolio of wellness products including the revolutionary KLAFS S1 retractable sauna (the world's first retractable sauna), bespoke thermal journey spa installations for luxury hotels, and traditional luxury saunas for residential and commercial use. Products feature advanced climate control technologies, multi-temperature experiences up to 210°F, and innovative space-saving designs that expand on demand. The portfolio serves both at-home wellness consumers and hospitality/commercial establishments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KLAFS S1 Retractable Sauna The world's first retractable sauna, expanding from the size of a bookshelf to three times its size at the touch of a button. Offers five climate experiences with temperatures up to 210°F, available in three sizes accommodating 2-3 users, designed for affluent residential homeowners with limited space seeking luxury home wellness.
- Thermal Journey Spa Installation Fully integrated thermal journey spa systems combining bespoke sauna, steam room, Ice Lounge, Salt Room with halotherapy, vitality pool, swimming pool, and rooftop outdoor sauna into a single circuit of heat, cold, hydrotherapy, and halotherapy. Designed for five-star hotels and luxury hospitality venues.
- KLAFS Luxury Saunas High-end German-engineered sauna systems for residential and commercial use, known for innovation in sauna technology and design. Acquired by Kohler in 2024 and integrated into Kohler's Luxury Brands division, serving as the foundational product line of the brand.
Quantifiable outcome
- The S1 expands from bookshelf size to three times its size at the touch of a button
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Klafs
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Klafs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Klafs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Guncast Pools and WellnesscoreKLAFS UK partnered with Guncast Pools and Wellness to deliver London's first fully integrated thermal journey spa at The Newman hotel in Fitzrovia. Guncast serves as the installation and channel partner for this flagship UK project, integrating KLAFS's bespoke sauna, steam room, and thermal equipment with Guncast's pools and wellness expertise.
- Kohler CompanycoreIn 2024, Kohler acquired KLAFS from Egeria Group and integrated it into Kohler's Luxury Brands division. The acquisition enables KLAFS to leverage Kohler's global distribution network, design collaborations, and wellness brand portfolio. Kohler showcases KLAFS products at major trade events including KBIS and Milan Design Week.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Klafs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Duravit: Duravit is a German manufacturer of premium bathroom furniture, wellness systems, and spa solutions with strong presence in luxury hospitality and residential projects. It is broadly comparable as a European luxury wellness brand overlapping with KLAFS in integrated premium bathroom/spa specifications.
- Kohler Co. (Luxury Brands): Kohler Co. is KLAFS's parent and a global leader in kitchen, bath, and luxury wellness products. As the acquirer and broader portfolio operator, Kohler provides scale, distribution, and cross-category reach that contextualizes KLAFS's positioning within a much larger luxury wellness platform.
- Dornbracht: Dornbracht is a German premium manufacturer of luxury bathroom fittings, spa fixtures, and wellness installations for high-end residential and hospitality projects. It is comparable as a German-engineered luxury wellness brand serving the same affluent and five-star hospitality customer base as KLAFS.
Emerging players
- BainUltra: BainUltra is a North American manufacturer of luxury therapeutic baths, spa systems, and hydrotherapy products. It is an adjacent player in the premium thermal wellness category, competing for the same affluent residential buyer with focus on hydrotherapy versus KLAFS's sauna-centric offerings.
Direct peers
- Amerec: Amerec is a US-based manufacturer of sauna, steam, and infrared bathing equipment for residential and commercial customers. It is a direct peer in the sauna/steam hardware category with overlapping customer segments in premium wellness facilities and affluent homeowners.
- Thermasol: Thermasol is a US manufacturer of premium steam shower and hydrotherapy systems for luxury residential and commercial applications. It competes with KLAFS in the steam bath and integrated thermal wellness category, particularly in the high-end US residential market.
- Tylö-Helo: Tylö-Helo is a Swedish-founded premium sauna and steam bath manufacturer with a strong heritage brand and global distribution. It directly competes with KLAFS across residential, hospitality, and commercial wellness segments with comparable product categories and pricing tiers.
- Mr. Steam: Mr. Steam is a US-based manufacturer of residential and commercial steam bath systems and related wellness products. It directly overlaps with KLAFS's steam bath and thermal wellness offerings in the North American luxury residential and hospitality market.
- EOS Saunatechnik: EOS is a German premium sauna heater and cabin manufacturer serving residential and commercial clients across Europe. It is a direct domestic German competitor to KLAFS in the European luxury sauna market with comparable craftsmanship positioning.
- Harvia: Harvia is the leading Finnish global manufacturer of premium saunas and infrared cabins, selling under multiple brands across residential and commercial channels. It is the closest direct competitor to KLAFS in scale and product breadth, also serving luxury hospitality and affluent residential segments worldwide.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Klafs social profiles
Digital presenceKlafs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Klafs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Klafs subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Klafs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Klafs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Klafs
What does Klafs do?
Klafs manufactures and integrates high-quality luxury sauna systems, steam baths, and complementary thermal wellness products, including the S1 retractable sauna and fully integrated thermal journey spa installations. The company sells directly to affluent residential homeowners and designs bespoke multi-circuit thermal installations for five-star hotels and premium wellness facilities.
Is Klafs a public or private company?
Klafs is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Klafs founded?
Klafs was founded in 1928. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Klafs based?
Klafs is headquartered in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Klafs make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Luxury Sauna Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Commercial Installation and Integration.
Who are Klafs's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Duravit, Kohler Co. (Luxury Brands) and Dornbracht. BainUltra is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Amerec, Thermasol, Tylö-Helo, Mr. Steam, EOS Saunatechnik and Harvia.
Does Klafs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Klafs.
What industry is Klafs in?
Klafs's product category is Luxury Saunas and Thermal Wellness Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSADAKAC, Sauna & Steam Bath Facilities, with a secondary code of THAJAHAD, Thermal Baths, Hot Springs & Saunas (Onsen, Hammams, Banya, Sauna Worlds). Its NAICS code is 333414 and its SIC code is 3430.