Blue Bell Creameries

Although Blue Bell Creameries is not owned by the Kruse family, they have operated it as a family business. In 1916, the company began having financial problems. Their problems continued until 1919, when E.F. Kruse was hired as manager. To make sure that the company had financial secruity, E.F Kruse left some of his first paychecks uncashed. Soon, the company bought its first motorized vehicle. This allowed the company to deliver to farther away places.  In 1936, the company purchased a refrigerated truck, which helped them hold more products for a longer time.
E.F Kruse introduced his sons, Howard and Edward, to the company at ages 13 and 11.When they got older, both Edward and Howard went to Texas A&M University and majored in dairy science. After working for another company, Ed Kruse eventually returned to Blue Bell. He became a salesman for the company in 1951, and that same year, E.F. Kruse died. At 23 years old, Ed was made manager of Blue Bell Creameries. In 1986,Howard Kruse Kruse was named CEO and president of the company, while Ed Kruse was made the Chairman of the Board.