Obituary: Hermann Kronseder
Mr Kronseder’s was the typical story of the self-made man, who rises to importance through sheer luck and hard work. Born into a family of craftsmen, he initially trained as an aircraft mechanic at the Messerschmitt company in Regensburg. Surviving both the war and a prisoner-of-war camp, he sought further education as an electrician before setting up his own workshop at the age of 27, producing bottle labelling machines. Why bottle labelling machines? Because this was Bavaria and beer enjoyed a comeback after years of post-war austerity. Success came quickly, first of all with Mr Kronseder’s new, semi-automatic labellers, and subsequently with his fully automatic models.
Being directly involved in his company’s technological developments, Mr Kronseder saw that he needed to massively expand his company’s product portfolio in the 1960s and 1970 to supply breweries and beverage production facilities with innovative lines. That required a stock market listing of his company in 1984. But ever the shrewd and cautious Bavarian, he insisted on keeping more than half of the stock under family control.
In the following years Krones systematically branched out into the food, chemical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, thus becoming the world’s market leader in the packaging machinery sector.
Still, this did not turn Mr Kronseder into one of those business leaders renowned for their brash and impetuous style. Although he personally held 630 patents which were instrumental in pushing Krones ahead of its competitors, Mr Kronseder was never overpowering or overbearing. That would not have squared with his corporate ethos, one that prized nimbleness, loyalty and long-term vision over the quick buck. Even in old age, his interest in Krones and his people never flagged. For as long as his health permitted it, he would do his rounds of Krones’ Neutraubling plant, discussed technical details with the workers who were assembling machinery.
In 1996, Mr Kronseder moved to Krones’ supervisory board as Chairman, while his son Volker Kronseder was appointed Chairman of the Executive Board. In 1997, Mr Kronseder stepped down from this post.
Today, Krones employs more than 10,000 people worldwide, and achieves an annual turnover of over two billion euros, with exports accounting for well over 80 percent.
Almost two decades ago, Mr Kronseder published his autobiography “My life” which was translated into five languages. His motives weren’t self-aggrandisement or vanity. He just wanted to describe his life as it had been, hoping that time would take his words to people who would say: “this is useful, this is inspirational.” Read today, Mr Kronseder’s practical knowledge, common sense and decency still shine through. Get a copy. They don’t make them like this any more.
