Henry Dunker

Henry Christian Louis Dunker (6 September 1870 – 3 May 1962) was a Swedish businessman and industrialist in Helsingborg, Sweden. His father was the founder of Helsingsborgs Gummifabrik AB (sv), also known as Tretorn AB, a manufacturer of rubber products which Dunker established as an international business.

Early years The Dunker family had its origin in Schleswig-Holstein. During a visit to Saint Petersburg, Russia, he did not find any new material, but in Riga, Latvia he met chemist Julius von Gerkan, who agreed to help him improve the rubber formula.

In 1894, Dunker took over control of the factory and, after some time, expanded the factory. In 1905, Dunker, along with Johan Kock, changed the Velox factory in Trelleborg into the Trelleborgs gummifabrik. With time, the rubber products produced by his company expanded to include tennis balls, shower caps and tires. In 1912, Dunker created a cartel with the purpose of increasing its competitive power abroad. Prices for the rubber increased in Sweden but were lowered abroad. He installed wooden floors in his factories to improve the comfort of his workers. In 1911, he started a day care facility (barnkrubban) to provide care for his employees' children during the workday, but was still unusual in the early 20th century.

In 1961, at 90 years of age, Dunker was still chair of the board of his company Trelleborgs Gummifabriks AB. The business employed 5,000 people and had a floor area of .

Death and legacy

Dunker was married to Gerda Sylvan (1879–1936), a daughter of the merchant August Sylvan and Gustava Eleonora Lundgren.

Dunker died in 1962 in Helsingborg. Upon his death, he willed his fortune to the Henry and Gerda Dunker Foundation which subsequently funded many improvements to Helsingborg. Dunker is buried at Donationskyrkogården in Helsingborg.