As Kuhn Rikon marks its 100th anniversary, the Swiss kitchenware company is entering its second century with a broader vision for the modern kitchen.
Long associated with the Duromatic pressure cooker, the company has expanded its focus across cookware, cutlery and kitchen tools designed to elevate everyday cooking.
“In the U.S., Kuhn Rikon’s story began with one iconic product — the Duromatic pressure cooker — which introduced generations of cooks to Swiss engineering and precision performance in the kitchen,” said Mark Adkison, president of Kuhn Rikon Corporation, the North American unit of the Swiss parent company. “Over time, that foundation allowed the brand to expand well beyond pressure cooking.”
Today, Kuhn Rikon has grown into a multi-category kitchen brand built on performance, durability and thoughtful design, Adkison said. While Swiss engineering remains the backbone of the brand, the company has broadened its presence across cookware, cutlery and kitchen tools designed to support how people cook today.
The company is seeing particular momentum in categories where consumers are looking to upgrade their everyday cooking experience. Products such as Hotpan, Culinary Fiveply stainless steel cookware and Kuhn Rikon’s expanding knife collection reflect that shift toward performance-focused kitchen tools, according to Adkison.
Swiss Heritage To Anchor the Brand
Swiss manufacturing remains central to Kuhn Rikon’s identity. Several of the company’s best-known products — including the Duromatic pressure cooker, Hotpan and the original Swiss peeler — continue to be manufactured at the company’s factory in Rikon, Switzerland.
At the same time, all Kuhn Rikon products are developed through the company’s Swiss design and engineering standards, even when manufacturing occurs elsewhere. That approach helps ensure cookware, knives and tools across the portfolio maintain consistent durability, functionality and thoughtful construction.
Innovation for the Next Generation of Cooks
As Kuhn Rikon moves into its second century, the company is focusing its innovation on categories where it sees strong opportunities for modern home cooks. That includes expanding its stainless cookware assortment with Culinary Fiveply, continuing to evolve cookware with products such as Hotpan, and building a more complete cutlery architecture with Iced knives and the new Culinary Forged collection.
“Together, these innovations represent the next phase of Kuhn Rikon’s evolution — moving beyond individual hero products toward a broader ecosystem of high-performance kitchen tools designed for people who truly love to cook,” Adkison said.
Sustainability also remains closely tied to the company’s philosophy. Longevity itself, Adkison noted, is a sustainability strategy.
“When products are engineered to last decades rather than years, they reduce waste and deliver long-term value,” he said.
“Innovation for Kuhn Rikon isn’t about adding more products,” Adkison added, “It’s about strengthening the craftsmanship and performance that serious home cooks expect.”
New Products Debut at The Inspired Home Show
Kuhn Rikon is highlighting that strategy at The Inspired Home Show in Chicago, where it is introducing new cookware and cutlery designed to reinforce its expanding kitchen system.
Among the debuts is the Culinary Forged Collection, a premium line of knives and acacia accessories designed to underscore the company’s growing focus on tools built for serious cooks.
Designed and crafted in Switzerland and manufactured in Portugal, the knives are forged from a single piece of high-quality blade steel intended to maximize sharpness, durability and balance. Each knife features a full tang for stability, a precision-engineered bolster for safety and comfort and an ergonomic contoured Pom handle designed to provide secure grip and visual distinction.
The assortment includes chef’s knives, carving forks and steak knife sets designed to support a range of cooking tasks, from everyday prep work to special-occasion carving.
Complementing the knives are the Culinary Forged Acacia accessories, including chopping boards and a knife block crafted from certified acacia wood.
The cutting boards feature practical design elements to improve food preparation, including beveled edges for easier lifting, anti-slip feet for added safety, integrated juice channels for draining, and breadboard grooves to catch crumbs. A slightly tilted knife block provides space-saving storage under cabinets while protecting blades and maintaining a clean countertop profile.
Adding Color to Kitchen Prep
Alongside its premium cutlery introduction, Kuhn Rikon is also bringing a more playful design perspective to the knife category with new additions to its Colori+ lineup. The limited-edition Spices & Herbs Collection expands the line with ingredient-inspired color themes organized into three flavor directions: Hot & Spicy, Warm & Tasty and Fresh & Cool, each blade rendered in an artistic motifs that reflect its namesake taste profile, said the company.
The knives feature Japanese stainless steel blades designed to glide smoothly through vegetables, fruit, herbs and other ingredients. A color-safe nonstick coating helps food release easily from the blade while minimizing drag during cutting. Matching blade guards help protect the cutting edge while enabling safe storage in drawers or travel kits, making the knives suitable for both everyday kitchen use and outdoor dining occasions.
Available in configurations ranging from paring knives to Santoku-style blades, the collection allows cooks to mix and match pieces or build colorful sets.
A Family-Owned Vision for the Long Term
Kuhn Rikon’s continued family ownership remains a defining part of the company’s long-term strategy. Because the business is still owned by the founding families, decisions are made with a perspective that prioritizes people, craftsmanship and product longevity, Adkison said.
“The Kuhn family has always believed that a company should support generations of people — from the skilled employees who design and build our products to the families who use them in their kitchens,” he said.
That philosophy is reflected in the company’s centennial message: “We believe in generations.”
