Brian Krenke of KI: Insights from a Wood Industry Market Leader

Brian Krenke, president and CEO of KI, oversees one of the largest commercial furniture manufacturers in North America. KI is also among the top 10 largest ESOP firms in the United States. 

Krenke was instrumental in the Wisconsin-based company’s transition in 2018 to 100 percent employee-owned, a challenging yet rewarding process, he said. 

Also in 2018, “We saw bonds and efforts to revitalize K-12 schools across the country, so we made the smart decision to focus our organizational resources on this market,” Krenke noted. “There has also been a significant shift in procurement in the K-12 market from low-cost products to furniture that supports various learning styles. Walking through a modern K-12 institution now more closely resembles a community college than the classrooms we learned in.

“Specific to this past year,” he added, “we’ve continued investing in manufacturing automation — spending more in 2023 than any prior year. We’ll continue that trend moving into the future.” 

Growth, organic and through mergers and acquisitions, is also on the docket. “The contract furniture industry typically grows/declines in low single digits annually. Since 2020, we have grown the business steadily every year. We set a record in 2023 and are on pace to establish a new record in 2024. It is my goal to continue that trend.”

Krenke’s 30-plus years with KI have given him a unique perspective, with roles having ranged from sales engineer to vice president of Sales & Marketing. In 2010 he was named president, and has served as CEO since 2018. “Many of these were lateral moves to learn more about a specific functional area and broaden my knowledge base,” he noted.

“I would recommend to the younger generations of professionals, in whatever field you are in, consider taking lateral moves versus always looking to elevate yourself. You become much more valuable to your organization as well as the overall marketplace.”

Krenke’s efforts go beyond his work at KI.  “My proudest achievement as it relates to the industry was being nominated and now acting as the vice chairman of our industry’s trade association, BIFMA. Actively participating in BIFMA allowed me to broaden my network and engage with a lot of the terrific people who make up our industry.”

Away from work, Krenke is on the board of the “Doing Great Things Initiative,” which awards two full scholarships to high school students to attend Marquette University. Many of the recipients to date, he said, are the first generation in their families to attend college. Also in his free time, he enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and golf.

Quick Glimpse:

• Education: BS Industrial Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Number of years at the company: 33
• Number of years in the industry: 33
• Word that best describes you: Inquisitive
• Business mantras (3): “Always focus on what you can control. Hope is never a good strategy. Surround yourself with individuals smarter than you.”
• Best advice: “Try and listen more than you speak and be empathetic to another individual’s points of view.” 
• Who have you tried to emulate: “There are a few individuals that I find quite interesting: Warren Buffet for his down-to-earth mentality and humbleness, Steve Jobs for his quirkiness and futuristic vision, and Bud Grant for his toughness and focus on fundamentals (I am a Vikings fan living in Green Bay!).”

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