Pressing Pushing Firing - Geberit Annual Report 2025

Pressing, pushing, firing

At the Materials Laboratory at the headquarters in Rapperswil-Jona (CH), chemist Jasmin Krummenacher tests the surface durability of an actuator plate. A robot arm with an artificial finger presses the buttons 20,000 times. (Photo)

High product quality is of prime importance at Geberit – and is ensured through comprehensive tests during development. An insight into the varied testing repertoire.

An artificial finger

At the Materials Laboratory at headquarters in Rapperswil-Jona (CH), chemist Jasmin Krummenacher checks the surface durability of an actuator plate: a robot arm with an artificial finger presses the buttons 20,000 times. A textile fingertip impregnated with artificial sweat simulates the surface of the skin.

Edon Isufi monitors the endurance test of the WC lid with soft-closing mechanism. (Photo) — Edon Isufi monitors the endurance test of the WC lid with soft-closing mechanism.

Always in motion – the WC lid

A light tap is all it takes for the WC lid with soft-closing mechanism to close smoothly. But it also has to withstand being forced down. According to the French standard, 15,000 forced closures and 15,000 regular closures are mandatory. At the Sanitary Laboratory, lab technician Edon Isufi monitors test rigs where WC lids are continuously opened and closed.

A baptism of fire

Pipe openings in ceilings and walls are critical weak points in a building during a fire. In order to delay the spread of fire, smoke and heat for as long as possible – or prevent it entirely – fire protection expert Stephanie Köble tests the fire resistance of the penetration seals on supply and discharge pipes and the GIS and Duofix installation systems. The tests are carried out in third-party furnaces at around 1,000 degrees Celsius.

The fire resistance of Geberit products is tested in furnaces at 1,000 degrees Celsius. (Photo) — The fire resistance of Geberit products is tested in furnaces at 1,000 degrees Celsius.

Targeted drop tests are used to check whether the packaging sufficiently protects the contents when dropped. (Photo) — Targeted drop tests are used to check whether the packaging sufficiently protects the contents when dropped.

Always the right packaging

To ensure that Geberit products can be moved from A to B without sustaining any damage, the packaging is also tested. In the drop test in Rapperswil-Jona (CH), packaging manager Konstanze Smith drops packaged products on their corners, edges and sides. The packaging has to withstand up to twelve drops.