The way of harmony with TAO by KAHLA

For its new collection TAO, the German porcelain manufacturer KAHLA invites existing and new customers to “the way of harmony”. At the international trade fair “Ambiente” in Frankfurt (13th – 17th February 2009) visitors can experience the new innovative porcelain series. With its soft shapes, which remind of pebbles that were washed by the tides, TAO perfectly matches the current trend of wellness themes. Exclusively for TAO, the German porcelain trend setter has re-designed its booth in hall 10.3 / C10. The company’s motto “Porcelain for the Senses” is adapted to the booth’s design, where KAHLA’s visitors are welcomed to see, feel and taste and experience the dynamics of the senses. Together with the introduction of TAO, KAHLA - as the innovator in the industry - addresses the topics environment and sustainably – once again a pioneer in the industry.

TAO mirrors the shapes of nature. Sensual contours and clear lines create a harmonious atmosphere. Almost alive, the porcelain rests in the hands of the user to make him feel as one with the tableware. Whether for light wellness cuisine, exotic or Mediterranean food, or just a relaxed moment – selected ingredients, affectionate preparation and TAO merge into pure pleasure.

Consisting of 20 articles, the designer trio speziell® has designed a porcelain collection that creates a feeling of relaxation and well-being on the table. The three designers Sybille Fleckenstein, Jens Pohlmann and Thilo Schwer describe the collection’s shape as reminiscent of items found on a beach. Especially the dip bowls, the small vase, the milk jug, as well as the salt and pepper cellars, are akin to gemstones that were washed by the tides.

Also the collection’s cups are true gemstones. With the use of modern, sophisticated production technologies, the functional handles are produced with a unique design that offers a comfortable resting place for the thumb. The tea pot and its lid offer a similar intelligent design: while pouring tea, the thumb rests naturally on the lid.

The plates adapt perfectly to the wellness trend. The gently sloping eating surfaces and the sides, which are angled outward and rounded at the edges, make the plates and platters present themselves, as if they were floating on the table. Due to the size of the plates, creative amateur chefs have enough space for bringing their culinary ideas to live. Also professional chefs are thrilled by TAO: the German chef Mirko Reeh has recently equipped his new restaurant “Reehstaurant” in Frankfurt with TAO.

Next to plain white, TAO is available in three innovative décors. The grey-coloured glaze „Zen“ and the natural underglaze decoration „Shi“ look like real stones – obtained without requiring an additional décor firing. The sensual décor „Spa“ -by designer René Buschner- underlines TAO’s natural and organic appearance.

With the introduction of TAO, KAHLA clearly focuses on the topic sustainability and environment. As all KAHLA products, TAO is regularly tested by independent institutes and is certified according to the highest standards. Thanks to a new, innovative KAHLA-technology, the TAO décors “Shi” and “Zen” don’t require an additional décor firing – compared to normal firing methods, CO2 emissions are therefore reduced. Also, the TAO packaging and advertising materials are produced with the objective to act ecological and CO2 neutral. Therefore, the company only uses 100% recycled paper. As all KAHLA products, TAO is ‘Made in Germany’. With this strategy, KAHLA safeguards jobs at the production site and meets international environment, security and quality requirements. All of these notes on sustainability are marked by the ‘KAHLA pro Öko’ logo, which is applied on all TAO packaging and advertising materials.

TAO is a highly innovative collection which clearly translates the current wellness trend into porcelain. “Our goal is to appeal to the consumer’s growing desire for calmness and relaxation and to make this trend accessible to retailers”, says Jutta Burkhart, head of marketing, design and PR at KAHLA. The TAO launch will be accompanied by a nationwide point of sale promotion from May until August 2009 under the topic „Wellness“. Already last year, KAHLA was able to place successful promotions with its porcelain series Elixyr, Five Senses and touch! in German retail. Again, KAHLA offers her retailers a package of nationwide advertising campaign, a decoration set for the shop window and an attractive sweepstake, offering a wellness journey as first prize.

Cuddly gift ideas

For the Easter time the cuddly porcelain touch! (idea: speziell®) introduces new patterns. The popular Five Senses mugs (design: B. Schmidt) with the new touch! banderols show patterns such as chicks, bunny, bunny family and Easter egg in four different colours. Whether for the Easter breakfast or a funny gift idea, the colourful mugs offer a unique sensual experience.

The patented touch! surface is not only cuddly-soft but also offers functional properties: it protects from too much heat and is 100% dishwasher safe.

KAHLA presents new Pronto colours

The new décor LiLi on the collection Pronto surprises with fresh colours in lilac & lime. The modern décor in pixel optics can be perfectly combined with other colours from the popular Pronto Colore range.

Pronto has further novelties: The 3 new colours sand, grey and maroon offer various combination possibilities with already existing Pronto Colore colours.

Design­ project „functi­onal gifts“

In 2008 a design project with the topic “functional gifts“ took place in a mutual cooperation between KAHLA and BURG GIEBICHENSTEIN, University of Art and Design. The objective was to develop various products featuring new approaches for an everyday gift culture. The close cooperation between students and KAHLA experts from design, production and marketing resulted in product ideas that are ideal for private use, as well as incentives for business clients. The results of the “functional gift design project” will be shown at a special showcase venue at this year’s “Ambiente” fair in the foyer of hall 10.3.


News from the world of KAHLA

The Good Design Award Japan for „Diamonds and Pearls“ (design: B. Schmidt, M. Rissanen) for KAHLA is its 66th design award. This award is also known as the „Oscar“ of international design. „Diamonds & Pearls“, which has already won the German design award „Form“, is marked by a unique base structure showing an innovative transparent relief.

Since autumn 2008, touch! mugs with a cuddly surface are sold at the most famous gallery of the world, the New York „Museum of Modern Art“.  The innovative cups are available at the MoMA design store and on the online shop.

Also KAHLA’s hotel division announces top-class references: The InterContinental Kiev, which will be opened in May 2009, has decided to implement the KAHLA Elixyr collection (design: B. Schmidt).

Guests of the hotel Le Méridien Commodore Beirut can enjoy their meals from the multifunctional porcelain collections Update and Cumulus (design: B. Schmidt). The successful basic collection Update has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

KAHLA’s promotional porcelain branch Artvertising has won new customers for the innovative KAHLA products. The pharmaceutical company Bayer has chosen a special gift packaging for its new product Kogenate: Sample packages of the medicine are presented in colourful mugs of the Pronto collection. Also the German consumer products company Henkel has selected colourful KAHLA products. For their product range Somat, the company has chosen touch! mugs in coral, which are used as gifts for clients. The margarine brand Lätta uses the design awarded collection Elixyr as a premium prize in a raffle in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Kahla, 13th February 2009 

More information, high-resolution images, questions:

KAHLA/Thüringen Porzellan GmbH
Jutta Burkhart / Katja Endler
Christian-Eckardt-Straße 38
07768 Kahla/Germany
Phone: +49 (0)36424/79-282
Fax:     +49 (0)36424/79-283
E-mail:  pr@kahlaporzellan.com
www.kahlaporzellan.com