H.J. Heinz: A Biography

by Quentin R. Skrabec Jr.

Though Heinz Ketchup is one of the most recognized corporate symbols in the world, few people know anything at all about H. J. Heinz. Industrial giants Rockefeller, Carnegie, Westinghouse, and Mellon became household names, and Heinz slipped into obscurity. Yet during a time of great transfers of wealth brought about in part by these famous robber barons, Heinz was well known for his humane treatment of his employees, customers, and suppliers. At the same time Heinz built a commercial empire by his use of industrialized food processing before Henry Ford. This book includes 45 photographs many of which are being published for the first time.

Genres: Biography

291 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2009

Reviews

[Jerome Noto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Writing and language was subpar. Lacks detail, and biographical support for many conclusions. Very simplistic biography.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I’m not in the marketing field, my interest in this book was based on a random curiosity to know more about the origins of the Heinz label. Aside from knowing that Teresa Heinz (now wife of Senator John Kerry) was the heiress to the ketchup company’s legacy, I knew nothing about the business - not even any of the folklore surrounding the legendary “57 Varieties.” Quentin R. Skrabec’s biography of Henry John Heinz, the company’s founder, offers a detailed history of the Heinz company, for which he brings a parallel commentary on the education and early business codes that informed H. J.’s upbringing. The beginning of the book is interesting, as the reader learns how H. J. Heinz struggled and experimented in order to give his company footing in a competitive market. Skrabec shows how Heinz, having been reared to following a certain body of ethical and moral standards, infused them rigorously into the research, development, and expansion of his company. It is thus apparent early on that Heinz’ responsibility for the company’s success proceeds from his education, and that the biography is a portrait of an exceptional businessman. Unfortunately, the author’s unrestrained admiration for Heinz’s corporate construction gets tiresome by the third act. At the point in the story when Heinz’s command over his empire might be considered flawless, Skrabec provides almost nothing new about the man, and the book devolves into a drawn out log of the company’s business practices. To round out Heinz’s profile, Skrabec remarks Heinz’s contributions to life outside the factory walls (in Pittsburgh, primarily), but the inevitable fact that Heinz’ life was almost completely devoted to his work forces the author to keep the spotlight on the company’s management. Any reader seeking general trivia surrounding the evolution of the Heinz empire won’t be let down, but the book is too heavily dominated by the repeated demonstration of Heinz’s successful business models using the proven, and honorable codes he lived by.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but a little dry.

My grandfather used to work (seasonally) at the ketchup operation in Fremont, Ohio, which was the ketchup flagship for years.

People should read this book and then go back and read the food label on some of their Heinz products. You will learn a lot!

Some of the information in this book is from H.J. Heinz, A Biography by E.D. McCafferty. McCafferty was a secretary to Mr. Heinz. I believe that his bio on this great man may be more authoritative.

[Barry Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about the development of an fascinating company. Great insights into Pittsburgh histpry as well.