Leonard Marsh (businessman)
Leonard Marsh | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 5, 1933 Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Died | May 21, 2013 (aged 80) Manhasset, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Co-founding Snapple Beverage Corporation |
Leonard Marsh (January 5, 1933 – May 21, 2013) was an American businessman who co-founded the Snapple Beverage Corporation (now part of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group) in 1972.[1][2] Marsh co-founded Snapple, which was originally known as Unadulterated Food Products, with his brother-in-law, Hyman Golden, and childhood friend, Arnold Greenberg.[1]
Biography
Marsh, whose father was a
In 1972, Marsh partnered with his brother-in-law, Hyman Golden, and friend,
The company changed its name to Snapple, named after one of its early apple juice product, in the 1980s.[1] Marsh served as a longtime president and chief executive officer of Snapple.[1] He established a network of more than three bottlers in all fifty U.S. states.[2] Once nicknamed "Mr. Nice Guy" by Beverage Industry, a trade publication, Marsh was considered a pioneer of employee-friendly policies in corporate America.[4] Under Marsh, Snapple offered flexible work schedules to let workers care for children and elderly relatives.[4] Marsh and his business partners also purchased a company bus to transport workers who did not own cars to Snapple's new facility when the company moved its corporate headquarters from Valley Stream, New York, to New York City in 1990.[4]
Sales increased throughout the 1980s and the company expanded its product line, offering bottled iced tea beginning in 1987.[1] Thomas H. Lee Co., an investment firm, purchased Snapple in 1992 for $140 million and retained Marsh as the company's CEO.[2] Annual sales reached $674 million by 1994,[2] the same year that Snapple was acquired by Quaker Oats Company for $1.7 billion.[1] Marsh remained at Snapple as Executive Vice President of Planning for several years after Quaker's acquisition of the company.[1]
Leonard Marsh died at his home in Manhasset, New York, on May 21, 2013, at the age of 80.[1] He was survived by his wife, Marian Ebner, whom he had been married to for fifty-seven years; three children, Robin Ross, Bradley and Peter; and eight grandchildren.[1] Marsh was the last surviving co-founder of Snapple. Hyman Golden died in 2008 and Arnold Greenberg died in 2012.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Fox, Margalit (May 23, 2013). "Leonard Marsh, a Founder of Snapple, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Miller, Stephen (May 23, 2013). "Snapple Guy's Overnight Success Took Decades". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ New York Times: "Ads by Snapple Deride Rumors" September 2, 1993 | "We are three Jewish boys from New York accused of supporting the Ku Klux Klan – something I despise," Mr. Marsh said. "I can't handle it any more. I support people going against the Ku Klux Klan"
- ^ a b c Kiger, Patrick (May 28, 2013). "7 Snappy Facts About Snapple's Cofounder". AARP Blog. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ Fox, Margalit (October 30, 2012). "Arnold Greenberg, a Founder of Snapple, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2013.