About
A Proud New Zealand Heritage
Our story began in 1952, when Mr T.I. Smail established an agency supplying the New Zealand building industry.
In 1968, Mike Smail recognised an opportunity to bring greater quality, design and sophistication to New Zealand homes, particularly through the manufacturing of bathroom and kitchen products. This vision led him to establish Smail & Co Ltd, selling products under the St Michel brand.
The business continued to grow and evolve, becoming the leading bathroom and laundry furniture manufacturer we know today as Bath Co.
Evolving with New Zealand Homes
The design of New Zealand homes has changed considerably over the years, and what was once purely a functional space, has become an important part of modern living, with many homes now featuring multiple bathrooms designed to serve different needs.
Over the decades, Bath Co has grown into a significant name in New Zealand bathroom and laundry manufacturing, developing and supplying respected brands and collections, including Michel César, VCBC and Laundry.
Bath Co also distribute Burlington, a prestigious bathroom brand from the United Kingdom, through merchants nationwide.
The Bath Co commitment to New Zealand manufacturing continues, with distribution centres in Christchurch and Auckland, bringing a strong national presence, supporting merchants and customers throughout New Zealand.
Family Owned, Proudly New Zealand
Today, Bath Co remains proudly family owned and operated, building on decades of experience. Bath Co continues to create quality bathroom and laundry solutions that combine thoughtful design, craftsmanship and innovation.
Sustainability
Our Michel César, VCBC, Laundry and Burlington ranges follow environmental best practice in all aspects of design and production.
All of our cabinetry is manufactured in New Zealand, using quality materials that are sourced with sustainability in mind. FSC timber is sourced from New Zealand suppliers, guaranteeing it comes from responsibly managed forests. The timber used is also certified to North American and Japanese manufacturing standards, which require minimal emissions from wood products. The timber is regularly tested to maintain these accreditations.
Our paint line utilises Airmax, an advanced, environmentally-friendly way of applying paint and polyurethane that results in minimal waste. This system ensures excess paint is recycled and the minimal overspray is thoroughly filtered before contact with the environment.
Purchasing our New Zealand-made furniture means you own a quality product, one where the environment came first at every stage of the manufacturing process.
A Real Timber Finish
An important feature of our Timber Veneer finishes is that they're all made from real timber, bonded to moisture-resistant MDF and then protected with a UV polyurethane coating.
We currently offer the following Timber Veneer finishes: Walnut, Chestnut, Coffee, Noce, Dark Oak, White Oak, Blonde Oak and Natural Oak. All come sealed and some are stained, with a protective UV finish. Of course, as a natural product, there will always be variation in the colour and grain, which we believe adds to the natural look and feel of real timber.
Superior Painted Finish
Our polyurethane paint and clear coatings are manufactured in New Zealand specifically for timber and painted finishes which we spray in our Christchurch based factory.
Before our designs are assembled, every panel must first go through a fully automated Italian paint layering process, where it is painted and heated at least five times total. This process creates our signature, hard paint finish, making our furniture highly durable and silky smooth.
Tailored Commercial Solutions
We specialise in providing premium bathroom and laundry solutions for commercial projects, including aged care facilities, multi-residential developments, and large-scale construction projects. Our team works closely with developers, architects, and designers to deliver products that combine functionality, durability, and style.
