HISTORY AND BUSINESS
The A. J. Krank Company. with its wholly owned subsidiary. Alfred J. Krank Incorporated. is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of toilet preparations. barber and beauty parlor supplies in the United States. The present Company is the outgrowth of the business which was originally founded in 1883 by the late Alfred J. Krank to merchandise high-grade cutlery and barber supplies. About 19 10, the Company began the manufacture of Krank’s Latherkreem. which was one of the first shaving creams on the market. This product met with marked success and the subsequent expansion into other lines of toilet articles was very rapid. At the present time, the Company manufactures a very complete line of toilet preparations. consisting of approximately one hundred different articles, including such well-known products as Krank’s Latherkreem, Lemon Cleansing Cream, Hair Root Oil, Skin-Health Face Powder and Skin-Health Toilet Cream. The success of the business is attributed. in a large part, to the exceptionally high quality of the articles manufactured.
The Company’s manufactured products. under the trade name of “Krank’s”, are sold in all the principal countries of the world. Distribution is effected both through national advertising and direct sales methods. Retail stores are maintained in both the Saint Paul and Minneapolis business districts and supply centers in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Independent agents who handle the sale Of Krank’s products in foreign countries are located in England, Spain. France, Italy, China, and the principal South American countries.
The Company’s main office and manufacturing plant. located in the Midway district Of Saint Paul. has been leased by the company for a period of 20 years with option to purchase during that time. The building. which was built by the predecessor company in 1927 at a cost of $225,000, is a thoroughly modern, fire-proof, three-story structure. Over 400 people are employed by the Company.
-St. Paul Merchant’s Trust Company Advertising, 1929