OUR STORY


WE'VE COME A LONG WAY IN 75 YEARS

It all began back in 1941 when South Australian, Charles Rothauser, a brilliant man with a pioneering spirit, invented the world’s first all-plastic, one-piece moulded cistern. Designed to combat Adelaide’s corrosive water which rusted brass fittings, it was so successful, Charles decided to change the company name and Caroma was born. Seven decades later, with innovation always at our core, Caroma has become an iconic bathroom brand.      

 

DISTINCTIVELY AUSTRALASIAN

Almost every New Zealander has turned on, sat on, bathed in or flushed a Caroma product.

In 75 years, we’ve seen plenty of change. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to convey a truly contemporary style – fresh, unencumbered by tradition, inspired by tomorrow and world-class. Thanks to our dedicated team, our nationwide network and you, our customers, Caroma will continue to create some of the world’s most desirable and inspiring bathrooms.

 

 

 

DESIGN IS OUR LIFEBLOOD

Caroma products are beautiful to look at, brilliantly efficient and a pleasure to use. Our team of talented designers understands the Caroma customer better than anyone. At the same time, they are at the forefront of local and international shifts in design to ensure that the products we bring to market match our customers expectations and their signature way of life.

As our country’s tastes have evolved, so too have our designs. As a result, we’ve set trends and celebrated a range of national and international accolades.

1973

Caroma Bathmates Accessories – Australian International Design Award

1974

Caroma Bathmates Accessories - Dunhill Industrial Design Award

1984

Caroma Dual Flush - Australian International Design Award

1993

Caravelle Bathroom Collection - Australian International Design Award

Opal 2000 Toilet Suite - Australian International Design Award, Powerhouse Museum Selection Award

Viceroy 2000, Sovereign 2000 cisterns & Duo-Flow Valve - Australian International Design Award

2005

Caroma Smartflush®  technology - Australian International Design Award and Home Beautiful Product of the Year

2007

Caroma H2Zero Cube Urinal - Australian International Design Award and International INDEX Award

2007

Caroma Profile 5 with integrated hand basin - Green Plumbers Award

2009

Caroma Invisi Series II - Australian International Design Award

2010

Caroma - Green Globe Awards – Business Water Award

2011

Caroma Flow - Australian International Design Award, Green Plumbers Award, Powerhouse Museum Selection Award, BPN Sustainability Award

Caroma Profile 5 with integrated hand basin - Chicago Athenaeum Green Good Design Award

2012

Caroma Invisi Series II - Chicago Athenaeum Green Good Design Award

2014

Caroma Marc Newson collection - Good Design of the Year Award, Powerhouse Museum Selection Award, German Design Council Award, iF Design Award

 

 

A SERIES OF WORLD FIRSTS

From Rothauser’s revolutionary toilet cistern to globally renowned, water-saving, dual flush technology, and clever solutions that revolutionise product installation, our founders’ inventive spirit is as strong today as ever. A continued investment in innovation and design has remained at the heart of our business since its first steps. We believe that beyond the seeming simplicity of beautiful design is an engineering pedigree and focus. This has helped ensure we remain one of the world’s great innovators in the bathroom.

1984

Introduced 11/5.5L dual button flush into Australian market

1990

Reduced flush rate to 9/4.5L

1993

Reduced flush rate to 6/3L within Australia (legislated as mandatory nationally)

2004

Launched Smartflush® Australia’s first 4.5/3L dual flush toilet suite

2006

Introduced Australia’s first WELS 6 Star Urinal

2007

Launched first WELS 5 Star Toilet Suite – Profile Toilet Suite with Integrated Hand Basin

2009

Launched revolutionary concealed cistern technology – Invisi Series II

2011

Launched ultra low flow 6.5L/min, energy and water efficient showers - Caroma Flow

2014

Launched Uni-Orbital Technology providing unparalleled installation flexibility for wall faced toilets

 

IT'S WHAT INSIDE THAT COUNTS

Caroma products are renowned for the simplicity of their form. Yet beneath the clean lines lie complex design decisions, meticulous engineering and a relentless pursuit of quality that we never shy away from. We have some of the highest quality standards in the world. Every stage, from design conception to delivery and servicing is carefully and methodically managed and executed. Caroma has always operated with this holistic view. Our Research and Development sanitaryware test lab is NATA accredited and our many industry awards for sustainability and design reflect our pride in going above and beyond NZstandards. That’s how we’ve built a reputation for quality you can depend on. 

WE'RE HERE TO HELP

At Caroma, we’ve always paid as much attention to our service promise as we have our products. In fact, the heart of our business is built around the customer. We regard ourselves as experts at what we do, but we know that evolution is vital to ensure we stay that way. Our goal is simple, to be easy to deal with and there when you need us. Our nationwide network of sales professionals, support staff and service plumbers are dedicated to helping New Zealanders across the country.