Arnold Habig

Arnold Francis Habig (May 2, 1907 – March 29, 1999) was an American businessman best known as the founder of Kimball International. Habig founded The Jasper Corporation, initially a small woodworking firm, in 1950. The company purchased W. W. Kimball Company in 1959 and changed its name to Kimball International in 1974. By the time of Habig's death, Kimball was a billion-dollar company. Kimball remains headquartered in his Jasper, Indiana hometown.

Early life and education Arnold Francis Habig was born May 2, 1907, in Jasper, Indiana.

Business career Habig spent 20 years with Jasper Wood Products Company. He started as a janitor and became a plant manager and member of the board of directors. Starting with two dozen employees and one plant, the company emerged into a leading maker of wood cabinets for television sets. In 1958, Habig acquired West Baden National Bank of West Baden Springs, Indiana and French Lick State Bank of French Lick, Indiana to form Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company.

In 1959, Jasper purchased the W. W. Kimball Company out of Chicago. During this time Jasper purchased other piano manufacturers including Bösendorfer of Vienna, Austria.

In 1974, The Jasper Corporation changed its name to Kimball International, Inc. As part of the 1984 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Los Angeles, 84 Kimball pianos were played. Habig stepped down as chairman of Kimball in 1990.

Personal life Habig married his high school sweetheart Mary Ann Jahn in 1927. According to the Indiana Historical Society, Habig is quoted as having said, "That is one of the unwritten laws of the Habig family. The sons are in the business, the daughters will receive the dividends and the son-in-laws, if they so desire, will be put in to a business, but not the company." He acknowledged that he practiced nepotism in his company.

In 1972, Habig married Barbara Southard.