A pioneer in the fluid fertilizer industry, in 1953 Glen Brandt founded the business that would become Brandt, Inc. Brandt died on June 7 at the age of 94.
His life story is rooted in agriculture and interwoven with entrepreneurship.
Brandt studied at Springfield Junior College before he enlisted in the US Merchant Marines in 1944. After three years of service, he returned home to Pleasant Plains, Ill., help his father farm, but that was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army in 1950 to serve in Korea. He served for two years in the 27th Regiment of the 25th Division before being honorable discharged. He then returned back to the farm.
At the age of 27 he borrowed a tractor from his father and started a custom anhydrous ammonia application business.
From there his businesses grew to include Brandt & Gardner Gas Station, Brandt’s Fertilizer Service, Brandt Chemical Company and Brandt Consolidated. In 1986 he stepped away from his CEO role at Brandt’s Fertilizer Service and Brandt Chemical company to serve as chairman of the board. Then in 1990 Brandt oversaw the formation of Brandt Consolidated.
Upon news of his death, the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA) posted:
The fertilizer industry lost a true leader today. Glen Brandt was a great guy and a huge supporter of IFCA. IFCA sends its thoughts and prayers to the Brandt family.
Brandt’s involvement in the agricultural industry included being president of National Fertilizer Solutions Association in 1972, which was an organization that evolved to become the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation, which then became part of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA). Brandt received the ARA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. And the company was named the retailer of the year by ARA in 2000.
Brandt, Inc., is still family-owned and led today. His son Rick has been president and CEO of Brandt since 1995. Learn more about the Brandt family here.
