Roy Fruehauf worked at the family company from 1926 - 1963
Roy Fruehauf
Roy Fruehauf
Roy August Fruehauf was born in 1908 and ascended to the role of President of one of the most powerful industrial concerns after World War II.
Roy, the first of his siblings to go to college, entered the ranks of the family business at age 20 where he learned the trade from the ground up. Roy, who had been head of sales since 1938, and at the company for 23 years, was acutely familiar with the roller coaster of international sales. During his time as Vice President and Director of Sales, profits grew from his efforts and Roy recognized the need for innovation and expansion.
In a biographical sketch Roy Fruehauf provided to C. W. Taylor, Jr. for Eminent Americans, as well as later publication in Who's Who, he described his climb in the company. Roy started working at his father's business in 1926, after returning home from college for his mother's funeral. He began working in the office and went on to the parts department. From there he worked in the machine shop, and in the early 1930s advanced to a position as apprentice salesman. He became Regional Manager in the Des Moines, Iowa office in the mid 1930s, and advanced to Vice President in charge of the Western Division in 1935. In 1938 he was Vice President and Director of Sales. In 1940 he was Vice President in charge of Operations, and in 1944 Executive Vice President. In 1949 he became President of Fruehauf Trailer Company at the age of 41. In 1958 he was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He resigned in 1961 as Chairman of the Board, serving as a consultant until 1963 and Director until 1964.
Roy, who had a very different business style than his staid conservative older brother, had learned about business tactics during his time in University. He understood about expansion, risk and growth. One of his first mandates when he finally became President was to establish manufacturing branches throughout the U.S. and later into Europe, South America and Asia, positioning Fruehauf as a worldwide corporation.
Roy’s background in sales was key as he had insight into the market place and knew his customer’s needs intimately.
Roy, the first of his siblings to go to college, entered the ranks of the family business at age 20 where he learned the trade from the ground up. Roy, who had been head of sales since 1938, and at the company for 23 years, was acutely familiar with the roller coaster of international sales. During his time as Vice President and Director of Sales, profits grew from his efforts and Roy recognized the need for innovation and expansion.
In a biographical sketch Roy Fruehauf provided to C. W. Taylor, Jr. for Eminent Americans, as well as later publication in Who's Who, he described his climb in the company. Roy started working at his father's business in 1926, after returning home from college for his mother's funeral. He began working in the office and went on to the parts department. From there he worked in the machine shop, and in the early 1930s advanced to a position as apprentice salesman. He became Regional Manager in the Des Moines, Iowa office in the mid 1930s, and advanced to Vice President in charge of the Western Division in 1935. In 1938 he was Vice President and Director of Sales. In 1940 he was Vice President in charge of Operations, and in 1944 Executive Vice President. In 1949 he became President of Fruehauf Trailer Company at the age of 41. In 1958 he was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He resigned in 1961 as Chairman of the Board, serving as a consultant until 1963 and Director until 1964.
Roy, who had a very different business style than his staid conservative older brother, had learned about business tactics during his time in University. He understood about expansion, risk and growth. One of his first mandates when he finally became President was to establish manufacturing branches throughout the U.S. and later into Europe, South America and Asia, positioning Fruehauf as a worldwide corporation.
Roy’s background in sales was key as he had insight into the market place and knew his customer’s needs intimately.