The manufacture of porcelain takes off, and Gustavsberg becomes something of a pioneer in its field, winning a variety of international awards. By nurturing the artistic talents of the age, the business lays the foundations for the artistic tradition that Gustavsberg will later develop even further.

In 1920, elsewhere in Sweden, Gustav Hedblom is laying plans to open his own factory to manufacture taps. The idea increasingly occupies his thoughts and he soon decides to put his plan into action with the support of two friends. The Vårgårda mixer is born. By 1922, the company has expanded to employ 38 people, and it is with pride that they present a fine range of products and sales totalling SEK 66,550.

Gustavsberg’s new factory for sanitary porcelain is officially opened. The factory was delivered by the Berlin oven manufacturer Kerabedarf as a turnkey installation comprising new machinery and buildings.

Gustavsberg introduces its first low-flush wc: model 306. Axel Nilsson’s unique construction is awarded a patent in 1940. Design: Carl Emil Benda.

Gustavsberg introduces the first washbasin designed for the new single-hole mixers, which eliminate the need for separate taps for hot and cold water.

The first Gustavsberg bathtub is unveiled on new year’s eve 1947. It is the fruit of a unique partnership between Gustavsberg and the american automotive industry. The new form-pressed steel bathtub is easier to handle than the previous heavy and clumsy cast iron tubs. The Gustavsberg bathtub soon comes to dominate the market.

WC 307 features a significantly improved flushing effect compared to the old 306 model as the bowl walls are almost vertical and the flush mechanism features a new, quick-close floater valve. Design: Eric Svensson.

It is in the 1950s that design finally moves into the bathroom. Gustavsberg had succeeded in attracting star designers Wilhelm Kåge and Stig Lindberg. Despite his unwillingness to adapt his models to standard dimensions and production conditions, Stig Lindberg still succeeded in developing a couple of washbasins.

In 1952, Gustavsberg starts to deliver its washbasins with factory-fitted single-hole mixers. This significantly reduces the costs for fitting the units at the building sites.

In 1953, the company launches wc model 315, the successor to model 306. The porcelain is the same, but the flush technology has been improved even further. Gustavsberg provides a 10-year guarantee on the new flush technology. Wc 315 is also fitted with a seat mounted on liftable hinges.

Washbasin 525 sets new standards as the first washbasin ever without a rim (edge). This has always been considered an essential feature to prevent the washbasin losing stability and collapsing in the firing oven. However, Carl-Arne Breger succeeds in developing a solution. With its innovative design, washbasin 525 becomes Gustavsberg’s best-seller in any category to date. Design: Carl-Arne Breger.

Gustavsberg plays the role of pioneer, bringing colour to the bathroom. As early as the 1950s, the Gustavsberg bathroom range features no fewer than eight colours. Even the bathtub is available in different shades.

The removable wc seat makes cleaning easier. The product development project led by Bertil Dahllöf was rewarded with the 1961 plastic prize. With designers Stig Lindberg, Peter Pien and Carl-Arne Breger, Gustavsberg creates a plastic profile in the 1960s that is just as highly rated as the company’s porcelain.

Gustavsberg launches a special quiet-flush wc – the 315t with mechanical components designed by Bertil Dahllöf. At the same time, the porcelain design is given a make-over by Gustavsberg’s first industrial designer: Jan Landqvist.

At around the same time as “the first quiet one” is launched, Gustavsberg makes another giant leap on the bathroom market in the form of the ready-to-install bathtub. The tub is stackable for easier delivery and features adjustable feet and a complete bottom valve unit with drain pipe. At the same time, it is a decimetre lower, to make it easier to enter and exit – and to cover the needs of elderly users and people with disabilities.

The drinking fountain 1011 solves an important problem. The earlier models with the prominent mouthpiece were the source of many dental injuries – particularly in schools, where children would often push the drinker’s head towards the fountain “for a joke”. The solution consists of positioning the button high up on the fountain side so that the drinker is forced into a position that makes it possible to parry a sudden push on the back of the head.

Interest in the ergonomic design of bathroom products starts to rise in the 1960s. Previously taboo issues such as the posture and height of the body on the toilet are now openly examined, resulting in new and more ergonomic industrial design.

Washbasin, bidet and wc with accessories specially designed to minimise the places where bacteria can accumulate. The products can also be used by users facing the wall where a rail grip has been attached. This means that wheelchair users can move close to the unit without having to turn around. Everything is secured behind enamelled sheet metal.
Design: Jan Landqvist and Rolf Ling.

Gustavsberg starts to make washbasins of enamelled sheet steel and begins to introduce new, strong and clear colours. The porcelain range has long been dominated by soft pastel shades, but in 1974 Gustavsberg unleashes three new colours for sanitary units: golden brown, olive green and chestnut.

Working with thermostatic mixers, Sigvard Bernadotte designs an exclusive thermostatic model for bathtubs. A limited edition of just 3,000 units is produced.

By making sanitary units (bathtubs, wcs, bidets and washbasins) that are ready to install, Gustavsberg facilitates the installation work even further. The common denominator of all the units is “strong pipe” – a bendable pipe made of EPDM rubber.

Gustavsberg becomes the first company to supply a thermostatic washbasin mixer. The new mixer is part of a full range of thermostatic models for bathtubs, showers, bidets, kitchen sinks and washbasins, and boosts the position of thermostatic mixers on the market.

Manufacturing large washbasins in porcelain leads to a rise in the level of rejects as the material has a tendency to curl during firing. Washbasin 5080 is made of enamelled sheet metal for Huddinge Hospital.

Gustavsberg is focusing increasingly on its core business – bathrooms – and invests heavily in supplementing its range of shower cabins.

The innovative spirit that reigns at Gustavsberg also comprises ideas for supplementing the sanitary range with an exclusive collection of porcelain. Inspiration is drawn from the Stockholm archipelago. The flush cistern is designed as a covering shell concealing a plastic tank. The sales price is 30% higher than that of the standard range, but the new models still sell well.

The Scandic range is launched and comprises all areas of the bathroom. The pictures show a wall-mounted wc and bidet, a floor-mounted wc and a washbasin with a single-lever mixer. Design: Peter Nordgren.

The start of the new millennium coincides with Gustavsberg’s 175th anniversary as a porcelain manufacturer. To celebrate the event, the company develops an anniversary range: Classic. The inspiration for this range with its functional aesthetics has been drawn from Gustavsberg’s predecessor from the 1940s. Design: Rolf Ling

Designer Rolf Herrström brings many of his ideas to life in the new, timeless bathroom range: Nordic 2002. The picture shows the wc and washbasin that were specially designed for the national renovation and repair scheme in Sweden, whose aim was to build and renovate 425,000 properties.

With its daring forms in authentic material, Artic becomes Gustavsberg’s most exclusive bathroom range for many years. The pure lines are more than just a treat for the eye, however. Along with the smooth surfaces, a concealed drain connection on the wc and hidden fixtures in the washbasin makes the products hygienic and easy to clean. The Artic washbasin also features generous flat surfaces.

Soft PEX is a new type of approved connection hose for use with kitchen, washbasin and bidet mixers. The advantage of Soft PEX is that it is eco-friendly during the manufacturing phase and recyclable on disposal. The hoses are also corrosion-resistant, which means an end to harmful deposits. Thanks to its flexibility, the material also adds versatility during installations.

The unique, future-oriented design of the Coloric mixer and its exclusive colours have not gone unnoticed. But if Coloric makes a big impact on the bathroom, it makes little mark on the environment as it is made of aluminium. This is a light metal that requires less fuel for transport and is 100% recyclable. In addition, Coloric is not chromed – which is another big plus for the environment. Design: Jon Eliasson.

Gustavsberg becomes the first Scandinavian company to win the 2007 EMAS award – the EU’s environmental management and green audit scheme.

The new Logic range makes it possible to use every last centimetre of space in the bathroom. With its neat, versatile shapes – as regards both porcelain and furniture – the range frees up plenty of space, which means that even small bathrooms can look big. The furniture range comprises everything from small cassette cabinets to broad bottom cabinets that are slim to save space. Even though they may be small, Logic units have been design-optimised to fulfil storage requirements and provide plenty of flat surfaces. Design: Rolf Herrström.

Function and design have always gone hand in hand at Gustavsberg. The Nautic range makes additional leaps in the area as both fitters and consumers are invited to participate in the design process. The Nautic range becomes Gustavsberg’s most functional bathroom range ever, packed with technological finesses that make life easier for both users and fitters. Nautic replaces the Nordic 2002 standard range. Design: Myra industriell design led by Peter Nordgren.

Triomont is a smart system for wall-mounted wcs and washbasins. It suits most bathrooms, eliminates major renovation work and allows the installation of wall-mounted bathroom products with a minimum of lost surface area. All that is required is a 14 cm recess.

The Logic range is updated with mixers for washbasins, showers, baths and kitchens. In addition to saving energy and water, the new mixers can even change colour. The mixer handles are available in four different mood colours – as are the furniture unit doors and the bathtub front panels. The unique exchangeable aspect makes the bathroom more personal. Design: Jon Eliasson.