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.