NHF_CUSP_2003_Andersen_Elmer
March 6 2003
Elmer L. Andersen was born on 17 June 1909 in Chicago, Illinois, one of four
children. He grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, attending public schools and junior
college, graduating in 1928. Andersen relocated to Minneapolis in 1928 and, after a
year as a salesman, enrolled at the University of Minnesota; he graduated in 1931
with a degree in business administration. He was married in 1932 (wife Eleanor
Johnson). In 1934 Andersen began working for H.B. Fuller Company in St. Paul, first
in sales and by 1941 as president of the company.
During the war years 1941-45 H.B. Fuller expanded its positions in the industrial adhesives industry, thanks in part to numerous government and military related contracts; as president,
Andersen was instrumental in the company’s growth and success. By 1945 the company was situated for a move into new markets, using contacts and profits from the war years. Andersen remained with H.B. Fuller as president and CEO until 1974, building it into a Fortune 500 company with a worldwide presence.
Andersen was also involved in politics for many years, serving as a Minnesota state senator (1949-58) and as governor of Minnesota (1960-63). In addition, Andersen has donated time, energy, and financial resources to numerous causes, among them the Minnesota Historical Society and Voyageurs National Park. At the time of this interview (March 2003) Elmer Andersen lived in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
children. He grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, attending public schools and junior
college, graduating in 1928. Andersen relocated to Minneapolis in 1928 and, after a
year as a salesman, enrolled at the University of Minnesota; he graduated in 1931
with a degree in business administration. He was married in 1932 (wife Eleanor
Johnson). In 1934 Andersen began working for H.B. Fuller Company in St. Paul, first
in sales and by 1941 as president of the company.
During the war years 1941-45 H.B. Fuller expanded its positions in the industrial adhesives industry, thanks in part to numerous government and military related contracts; as president,
Andersen was instrumental in the company’s growth and success. By 1945 the company was situated for a move into new markets, using contacts and profits from the war years. Andersen remained with H.B. Fuller as president and CEO until 1974, building it into a Fortune 500 company with a worldwide presence.
Andersen was also involved in politics for many years, serving as a Minnesota state senator (1949-58) and as governor of Minnesota (1960-63). In addition, Andersen has donated time, energy, and financial resources to numerous causes, among them the Minnesota Historical Society and Voyageurs National Park. At the time of this interview (March 2003) Elmer Andersen lived in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
Digital
English
1h 6m 54s
Elmer Andersen, Interview, National Home Front Project, Washington College, Chestertown Maryland.
Interview was recorded by Thomas Saylor through Concordia University St. Paul for the Starr Center of the American Experience National Homefront Project.
Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois, United States, NA [41.8902,-87.6979] [id:12070033]Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan, United States, NA [43.21919,-86.21246] [id:5003136]University of Minnesota, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States, NA [44.97593,-93.23475] [id:5051067]Arden Hills, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States, NA [45.05024,-93.15661] [id:5016553]
C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience (Washington College)
Chief executive officers--United States--Biography
Concordia University--St. Paul
H.B. Fuller Company
oral histories (literary works)
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
Chief executive officers--United States--Biography
Concordia University--St. Paul
H.B. Fuller Company
oral histories (literary works)
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American