Dr Krone began his academic training as a mechanical engineer in Cologne in 1959. After completing his studies, his father sent him to Ireland to prepare him to take over the company.
This turned out to be much earlier than expected following the sudden death of his father in 1970. As sole heir, Bernard took over as the head of the family-owned agricultural machinery business.
He continued to develop and diversify the company. In addition to entering the commercial vehicle sector, Dr Krone was the brainchild behind the launch of the self-propelled Big M mower in 1996 and Big X forage harvester in 2000.
He retired in 2010 and handed over the helm to his son Bernard. His most important advice to his successor: “Always remain the blacksmith from Emsland like your great-grandfather, your grandfather and your father.”
In his private life, the father of three and multiple grandfather was a passionate hunter and farmer. His passing is not only mourned by his family and relatives as well as more than 7,000 employees, but also the international agricultural machinery industry.
