Press StatementBeiersdorf mourns Dr. Hellmut Kruse

January 29, 2018 – Hamburg. Beiersdorf mourns Dr. Hellmut Kruse. The former CEO and Supervisory Board Member of Beiersdorf AG died on January 25, 2018, at the age of 91 in Hamburg.

Hellmut Kruse had a major influence on the development of Beiersdorf for over 30 years. After he started at the company in 1961, in the same year he became a temporary Board Member, and two years later, a regular member of the Board and in 1979, its CEO. In 1989 he left the Board and was then a member of the Supervisory Board of Beiersdorf AG for another five years.  

“With Hellmut Kruse Beiersdorf has lost a great figure and a special person, who with passion, vision and drive built up our international business in the 1960s thereby setting the course for the successful development of the company,” the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Dr. Reinhard Pöllath said in recognition of the deceased.  

“Hellmut Kruse was not just a true Hamburg businessman in the best sense, he was also a great Beiersdorfer, who felt connected to our company throughout his life. He recognized the potential of our brand on an international level and advanced our worldwide business during his entire career. For this we owe him our gratitude and our greatest appreciation. Our sympathy and condolences go to his family,” said CEO Stefan F. Heidenreich. 

Dr. Hellmut Kruse dedicated himself with his entire intelligence, his instinct for business and his extraordinary manpower to Beiersdorf, but also to the economy of Hamburg. With this extraordinary commitment to the company he accomplished great things. Beiersdorfers will always remember him.

Curriculum Vitae of Hellmut Kruse

05.19.1926 Born in Hamburg
1945–1948 Studied the History of Literature and Philosophy at the Universities of Hamburg and Fribourg in Switzerland
1948 Wrote doctorate at the University of Fribourg
Translated French poet Baudelaire into German
1949–1961 Exporter and partner at Wiechers & Helm, Hamburg, the company of his father, Hans E.B. Kruse
05.20.1961 Started at Beiersdorf AG, on 09.01.1961 became temporary Board Member of Beiersdorf AG; Head of Foreign Business
1963 Board Member for Foreign Business
1975 AG Temporary CEO of Beiersdorf AG
1979–1989 Board Member of Beiersdorf AG
1989–1994 Member of Beiersdorf’s Supervisory Board
01.25.2018 Hellmut Kruse died at the age of 91 in Hamburg

Press Contact

Inken Hollmann-Peters
Vice President Corporate Communications & Sustainability

Beiersdorf AG
Unnastrasse 48
20245 Hamburg, Germany

Phone: +49 (0) 40 - 4909 2001

Contact us