Herman C. Krannert

Infobox person
name = Herman C. Krannert
birth_date = 1887
death_date = 1972
birth_place = Chicago, Illinois

Herman C. Krannert was a businessman and philanthropist in the Midwest. He was married to Ellnora Decker Krannert. He was a successful entrepreneur who made millions in the corrugated fiber products industry and made generous contributions to education and the arts in the Midwest. Among other substantial contributions, 11 buildings bear the Krannert name, most of them at hospitals and universities in Illinois and Indiana. The prestigious Krannert School of Management at Purdue University bears his namesake.

Early Life

Born in 1887, Herman grew up on Chicago's west side. After graduating from Crane Technical High School, he spent two years saving enough money to attend the University of Illinois, Class of 1912, where he was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. Working throughout his college career, he completely financed his education and sent extra money home to support his widowed mother. [ [http://www.krannertcenter.com/about/history/krannerts.asp| History of the Krannerts by the Krannert Center] ]

Early Career

After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, Krannert was hired in 1914 by Sefton Manufacturing Company, a Chicago-based firm that made paper boxes. At age 30, he was transferred to Anderson, Indiana, and became the youngest Sefton employee to be promoted to plant manager. During his years in Anderson, Krannert met and later married Ellnora Decker, an Indiana native and graduate of Brenau College.

Krannert's superior skill, motivation, and innovations at the Anderson plant were rewarded with the company's president offering him a position as a vice president and director. There was one restriction: Krannert would be required to vote as the president voted. Feeling that this directive was unprofessional and unethical, he left the company. [ [http://www2.itap.purdue.edu/periodicals/perspective/ps2002/f02.AP_cosier.html Another Perspective: Taking care of business, the right way] ]

Inland Container Corporation

In 1925, Krannert started his own business, the Inland Container Corporation, in Indianapolis with six employees, all of whom had also quit the company in Anderson.

Thanks to Krannert's hard work and shrewd business sense, the company expanded and survived the Great Depression. During World War II, the United States government began buying large quantities of Inland's moisture-resistant "V-Board" boxes. By the early 1970s, Inland Container was America's second-largest manufacturer of corrugated shipping containers, with a complex of 25 plants grossing $200 million in annual sales. [ [http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Inland-Container-Corporation-Company-History.html Inland Container Corporation Company history] ]

Philanthropy

In addition to overseeing the company, Krannert was involved in several civic and other business interests. He received an honorary doctor of law degree from the University of Illinois in 1965, in addition to honorary degrees from Indiana, Butler, Purdue, Evansville, and DePauw Universities, and from Indiana Central College. Mrs. Krannert received honorary degrees from Indiana Central College and from Evansville, Butler, and Indiana Universities.

Among other substantial contributions, 11 buildings bear the Krannert name, most of them at hospitals and universities in Illinois and Indiana. Mrs. Krannert's appreciation for the arts largely influenced the Krannerts' contributions to the University of Illinois. She was further involved in the design of this performing arts center. Commenting on this gift to the University, Mr. Krannert said: "We feel that it is a privilege to contribute to my Alma Mater to enlarge and to improve the cultural facilities for future students." [ [http://www.krannertcenter.com/about/history/krannerts.asp| History of the Krannerts by the Krannert Center] ]

Krannert School of Management

In 1960, Purdue University began to develop the first relationships with Krannert. He was referred to Emanuel Weiler for advice regarding his Indianapolis-based firm, Inland Container Corp., and later Krannert approved a management development program for his executives to be taught by Purdue faculty.

In 1962, Herman and Ellnora Krannert donated $2.73 million to Purdue University to establish The Krannert Graduate School of Industrial Administration, the university's first endowed school. The money went to provide for a new building and trust fund.

Herman Krannert received an honorary Doctorate of Industrial Administration from President Hovde, president of Purdue, in 1962. [ [http://www.mgmt.purdue.edu/news/press_kit/history/1960-1969.asp Krannert School of Management Historical Timeline] ]

Footnotes