Case Study Kohler transformed
Achievements
- Centralized and activated 8,000+ 3D models, transforming static design files into powerful sales tools
- Boosted eCommerce conversion rates dramatically through immersive visualization that brings products to life
- Eliminated hundreds of hours of manual work monthly, redirecting valuable engineering talent to innovation
- Created seamless 3D omnichannel experiences across Kohler’s website, Google search, and major retailers (Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s)
- Unified 3D standards across global teams, ensuring consistent brand experiences from engineering to customer
- Accelerated retailer adoption of 3D & AR by solving complex technical challenges that previously blocked 3D implementation
The Journey
Kohler, an industry leader in kitchen and bath products, partnered with VNTANA to revolutionize their approach to 3D content management. Facing challenges with an extensive library of over 8,000 3D models requiring laborious manual preparation, Kohler implemented VNTANA’s 3D Digital Asset Management (DAM) platform to centralize, automate, and distribute their 3D content across multiple sales channels and retail partners. The results include dramatic time savings, enhanced customer experiences, and a fundamental shift in how 3D assets are leveraged throughout their organization and retail ecosystem.
The Challenge: Drowning in Manual 3D Conversion & Distribution
Despite creating thousands of high-quality 3D models, Kohler faced critical challenges in making them accessible and usable:
- Time-intensive manual processes: Converting 3DSMax, CAD and SolidWorks files into web-ready formats required days of tedious work per model
- Fragmented asset management: No centralized system for storing, finding, and collaborating on 3D models
- Integration difficulties: Existing IT infrastructure wasn’t designed to handle complex 3D assets
- Retail partner complications: Different specifications needed for various eCommerce platforms and retailer requirements
- Inconsistent customer experiences: Challenges maintaining uniform 3D visualization across their digital ecosystem
"We had thousands of incredible 3D models, but the process of getting them web-ready was so time-consuming that it severely limited how we could use them, We needed a solution that could automate this process while maintaining the high visual quality our brand demands."
The VNTANA Solution: Purpose-Built 3D Asset Management
Kohler implemented VNTANA’s comprehensive 3D Digital Asset Management platform, which provided:
- Centralized repository specifically designed for complex 3D files
- Automated optimization & conversion engine that instantly converted 3D files to web-ready formats, meeting the specifications of all retailers
- Enterprise-grade 3D viewer with consistent visualization across all platforms
- Secure sharing capabilities for both internal teams and external retail partners
- Streamlined Approval for seamless collaboration across the enterprise
- Omnichannel distribution supporting multiple platforms and specifications including Google search, Amazon, Home Depot and Lowes
- AR functionality allowing consumers to visualize products in their own spaces
The platform’s intelligent automation was transformative. “What used to take days of manual work now happens automatically in minutes, without sacrificing any visual quality,” noted Michiel.
Transformative Results
Kohler achieved remarkable outcomes with VNTANA’s platform:
- Dramatic efficiency gains by reducing 3D model preparation from days to minutes through automated optimization
- Enhanced omnichannel presence with consistent 3D visualization across Kohler’s website, Google search, and major retailers
- Increased conversion rates as customers engaged more deeply with interactive 3D and AR experiences
- Streamlined collaboration between design teams, marketing, sales, and retail partners
- Significant cost savings by eliminating resource-intensive manual 3D creation processes
- Accelerated time-to-market for 3D commerce initiatives across multiple platforms
Cultural Transformation
Beyond the technical implementation, Kohler experienced a profound shift in how 3D content is perceived and utilized:
- From specialized resource to business essential: 3D assets transformed from niche technical files to central components of the customer experience
- Expanded utilization: Teams across marketing, sales, and eCommerce began incorporating 3D into their strategies
- Retail partnership evolution: What began as basic asset sharing evolved into collaborative 3D commerce initiatives with major retailers
“We’ve completed implementing the VNTANA 3D DAM to scale 3D from design to sales & marketing and I must say; you have a great team running the show!” stated Michiel. “What started as a solution to our optimization challenges has become a cornerstone of our digital transformation strategy.”
Conclusion: Unlocking the Full Value of 3D
By implementing VNTANA, Kohler has successfully transformed how 3D content functions within their organization and customer experience. The platform has eliminated manual bottlenecks, created consistent omnichannel experiences, and established a foundation for ongoing innovation in how consumers interact with Kohler products.
For brands facing similar challenges with 3D content management, Kohler’s experience demonstrates that with the right platform, interactive 3D can become an integrated part of the customer journey—creating better experiences across websites, retail partners, and ultimately in consumers’ homes through AR visualization.
VNTANA’s purpose-built 3D asset management solution has helped Kohler unlock the full value of their massive 3D investment, ensuring these valuable assets can be leveraged throughout the organization and across every customer touchpoint—from initial browsing to final purchase decision.
"The ability to automatically optimize our 3D models while maintaining visual quality has been game-changing, We can now deploy 3D content across our entire digital ecosystem without the bottlenecks that used to slow us down."
