Ken Hendricks
Kenneth Albert Hendricks | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Janesville, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | December 21, 2007 (aged 66) Afton, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder of ABC Supply |
Kenneth Albert Hendricks (September 8, 1941 – December 21, 2007) was a prominent American entrepreneur who, alongside his wife and business partner Diane Hendricks, transformed a modest shingle supply company, ABC Supply, into a $2.6 billion corporation, earning him a position on the Forbes 400 list at the time of his passing. Although closely associated with Beloit, Wisconsin, he lived in the nearby community of Afton.
Business career
Hendricks was born and grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin. He left high school early to work in his father’s roofing business. He eventually established his own company, which by 1971 had expanded into a multi-state operation employing 500 people. Seeking more personal time, he transferred ownership to his employees before co-founding ABC Supply with Diane Hendricks in 1982 by purchasing three struggling Bird and Sons outlets. The enterprise grew substantially through both organic development and acquisitions, reaching close to 500 locations. By 2006, Hendricks’ net worth was valued at $2.6 billion, securing him a place among Forbes’ billionaires.
In addition to ABC Supply, he owned the Beloit Plaza shopping center and the former Beloit Corporation manufacturing site, much of which he redeveloped; ABC Supply occupied a significant portion of the unused Fairbanks-Morse facility. Posthumously in 2008, he and Diane received the "20 Year Award of Excellence" from the Downtown Beloit Association in recognition of their efforts to rejuvenate the city’s commercial district.
The Hendricks Group, managed by Kenneth and Diane, controlled several other enterprises. A proponent of green building methods, Hendricks planned an environmentally conscious roofing initiative for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. His ventures also included involvement in constructing a new stadium for the Beloit Snappers minor league baseball team and residential developments in Janesville.
In 2006, Inc. honored Hendricks as Entrepreneur of the Year and featured him on its cover. Earlier, ABC Supply had achieved the top spot on the Inc. 500 list in 1986 before expanding beyond that ranking.
Death
At age 66, Hendricks passed away on December 21, 2007, in Afton, Wisconsin, after an accident where he fell through a subfloor under construction into his home’s garage. He is survived by his wife, Diane Hendricks, and their seven children: Kendra, Kim, Kathy, Kevin, Brent, Kara, and Konya.