About Us

At Herbeau, tradition is an art. Founded in 1857, Herbeau has been a leader in the manufacture of superbly crafted sanitaryware, sinks and faucetry for over a century. Herbeau Creations of America is the exclusive North American distributor for Herbeau France. Herbeau Kitchen, Bathroom and Powder Room Couture ® is sold in fine kitchen and showrooms throughout the United States and Canada. Click to find the nearest showroom.

Herbeau Celebrates 150th Anniversary

(1/30/2007) Naples, FL- When Louis Herbeau opened one of the first showrooms in France devoted exclusively to L'Art du Sanitaire (the art of sanitary ware) in 1857, little did he know his modest showroom would blossom into an international company and recognized leader in the decorative plumbing industry.

As Herbeau commemorates its 150th anniversary in 2007, one thing is clear – this is not your average kitchen and bath company. Over the years, Herbeau has introduced kitchen faucets inspired by vintage automobiles, a throne toilet fit for a king, gargoyle bath faucets and an unconventional set of Cubist wall brackets.

While the above-mentioned products generate a fair share of media attention, Herbeau is best known for its ultra-high end, impeccably crafted line of Couture® kitchen and bath fixtures. Herbeau President and CEO Holger Baron explains, "At Herbeau, we consider our Couture® Collection to be functional art. We are more like a specialty house in that the products are made in small batches according to traditional methods. In 2005, Herbeau trademarked the word Couture®, because that's what Herbeau products are- unique, timeless, and beautifully designed. In an age of mass production, Herbeau stands apart."

Herbeau first came to the attention of American buyers in 1992 when Herbeau Creations of America was established as the exclusive North American distributor for Herbeau. Under the leadership of President and CEO Holger Baron, Herbeau Creations launched an ambitious growth strategy, with impressive results. In 2002, Herbeau Creations appeared on the Inc 500, Inc Magazine's annual listing of the 500 fastest-growing privately owned companies in America. That same year, Herbeau France received the prestigious Les Echos Performance Prize in recognition of its extraordinary growth.

While Herbeau is a very different company today, certain things remain unchanged. The offices and production facilities for Herbeau France are based in Lille, the same city where Louis Herbeau opened the original Herbeau showroom. The company has been owned and managed by the same family for over a century. According to Lionel Herbeau, the 5th generation Herbeau family member to run the business, "For 150 years, Herbeau has stood for heritage, history and quality. We are very proud of carrying on the artisan tradition, while at the same time, we continue to seek ways to innovate and improve our manufacturing process." Monsieur Herbeau also takes pride in the fact that two of the company's most notable items- the De Dion kitchen faucet and the Dagobert throne toilet- were designed by his father, Jean "My father was a true artist. He trained as an architect before taking over the family business in the 1950's, and immediately put his passion for design to work. One of the first things he did was to expand the kitchen line," notes Lionel Herbeau.

Jean Herbeau (1926-1999) envisioned a collection of kitchen fixtures, faucets and accessories that would capture the essence of the land; rustic pieces one might find in an ancient farmhouse or cottage in Provence. Not only would they function superbly, but in the same way that a meal tastes best when it's attractively presented, the look and feel of the fixtures would enhance the cooking experience. Today Herbeau faucets and sinks grace kitchens all over the world.

It was this mutual passion for art and design that led to a fateful meeting between Jean Herbeau and Holger Baron at a trade show in Frankfurt, Germany. An avid art collector, Holger owned a kitchen and bath showroom at the time. After meeting with the Herbeau family in France, the young entrepreneur returned to America as President and CEO of the newly-created Herbeau Creations.

In 1996, Mr. Baron and his brother Peter sold the showroom to concentrate full-time on Herbeau, with Peter Baron on board as Vice-President.

If Herbeau France represents the past, Herbeau Creations is firmly grounded in the present. Located in Naples, Florida, the company moved into a brand new building in 2004. The facility serves as their American corporate headquarters and the hub of distribution for the United States and Canada. The close-knit bond forged between Holger Baron and Jean Herbeau lives on in the relationship between Mr. Baron and his European counterpart, Monsieur Lionel Herbeau. "The American way of doing business and the French way are very different. By cultivating an attitude of openness and mutual respect, both sides can learn a great deal from each," states Mr. Baron.

"It's always an honor to be invited into someone's house, and people have done just that with Herbeau-they've invited the products into their homes. Both Lionel and I are committed to offering our customers the highest caliber of service and the best quality products." When asked what accounts for Herbeau's enduring appeal, Mr. Baron has a ready answer. "The products are authentic, with a classic look that is both timeless and traditional. They are built to last, just like the company."

Much has changed since the days Louis Herbeau opened the doors of showroom. Yet if he were to open a current Herbeau catalog, he would immediately recognize the fireclay sinks, hand painted china and luxurious tubs. Chances are he'd be fascinated by the faucets and thermostatic showers, all featuring the latest plumbing innovations. And then he'd close the book and smile contentedly, knowing that the certain indefinable je nais se quai that defines Herbeau lives on.

Herbeau Moves Into National Headquarters

(5/6/2004) Naples, FL - Herbeau Creations, a leader in the field of decorative plumbing, recently moved into their new headquarters at 3600 Westview Drive. The 20,000 square foot building more than doubles the company's previous shipping and warehouse space, while the new office area houses sales, operations and customer service. The contractor was Naples-based Houchin Construction.

"Our goal was to create a facility that would not only meet our immediate need for expansion, but also accommodate future growth," said Holger Baron, Herbeau president and CEO. "Choosing a location was easy - Naples offers great weather, year-round activities and a progressive business climate, making it an ideal place to live and work," said Mr. Baron.

Herbeau's new facility serves as their American corporate headquarters and the hub of distribution for the United States and Canada. This location will also enable the company to host sales meetings and conduct in-house training for showroom personnel. Herbeau Creations of America specializes in handcrafted French kitchen and bath fixtures. Herbeau has appeared on Inc Magazine's 2002 list of the 500 fastest growing privately owned companies in America, and won the 2003 Excellence in Industry award for Innovative Achievement (Small Business Category). House & Garden Magazine recently featured Herbeau in their Best on the Best 2004 annual edition.