Good afternoon, everyone! I’m David Kohler, President and CEO of Kohler Company. I am happy to welcome you to the Kohler Shanghai Design Experience Center and thank you for coming to celebrate the Kohler in China 20th anniversary. I'm greatly honored by your presence.

This year is the 20th anniversary of Kohler in China. Over the past 20 years, Kohler Co. has become a true, leading full-line plumbing manufacturer in China, making numerous achievements with the strong support and great efforts from designers, distributors, customers, media and partners.

In fact, the KOHLER brand has had a presence in China since the early 1920s but it wasn’t until my father first visited China in 1977 that our company began to consider ways to manufacture our products here.

In 1995, Kohler Co. began to produce vitreous products at Foshan Kohler Ltd. In 1996, a joint-venture with a Beijing faucet manufacturer was established.

This company —Beijing Kohler Ltd. — together with the vitreous operation in Foshan solidified our presence in China and positioned Kohler to compete effectively with other international players.

We have always paid attention to the China market and regard it as the center of the Asia Pacific area. According the some experts who have insight into the China market and professional skills, our market share in China is increasing steadily.

Over the past 20 years, Kohler Co. has become a true, full-line plumbing manufacturer in China. We have launched aggressive programs to develop consumer awareness of our products, and have obtained, and held, the position of the lead plumbing brand in China. All of these also rely on the support and trust from everybody here.

Thanks again, and I wish you a pleasant night. Enjoy yourselves!