Krupp

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Friedrich Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp

Formerly	Friedrich Krupp AG (1968–1991)
Company type	Aktiengesellschaft
Industry	Conglomerate
Predecessor	Hoesch AG
Founded	1587; 437 years ago (1587) in Essen, Germany
Founder	Friedrich Krupp
Defunct	1999
Fate	Merged with Thyssen AG
Successor	ThyssenKrupp
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Steel, stainless products, automotive technologies, plant technologies, elevator systems, marine systems, shipbuilding, firearms
Owner	Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation

Krupp, also known as Friedrich Krupp AG and later Friedrich Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp after acquiring Hoesch AG in 1991, was the largest company in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century as well as Germany's premier weapons manufacturer during both world wars. From the Thirty Years' War to the end of World War II, it produced battleships, U-boats, tanks, howitzers, guns, utilities, and hundreds of other commodities. The company also produced steel used to build railroads in the United States and to cap the Chrysler Building.

After the Nazis seized power in Germany, Krupp supported the regime and was one of many German businesses that profited from slave labor during World War II. Upon the war's end, the head of the company, Alfried Krupp, was tried and convicted as a war criminal for employing prisoners of war, foreign civilians and concentration camp inmates under inhumane conditions in support of the Nazi war effort.^[1] Despite being sentenced to imprisonment for twelve years, he served just three and was pardoned (but not acquitted) by John J. McCloy.^[2] As a result of this pardon, all of Krupp's holdings were restored.^[2]

In the years following the Third Reich's collapse, Krupp rose once again to become one of the wealthiest companies in Europe. However, this growth did not last indefinitely. In 1967, an economic recession resulted in significant financial losses for the business. In 1999, it merged with Thyssen AG to form the industrial conglomerate ThyssenKrupp AG.

Controversy has not eluded the Krupp company. Being a major weapons supplier to multiple sides throughout various conflicts, it was sometimes blamed for the wars themselves or the degree of carnage that ensued.^[3][4]