Our History

The idea of Kroff, Inc. began with casual conversations between Keith Kronk and Fred Potthoff, two co-workers and water treatment professionals. They shared the same sense that there was a demand in the water treatment marketplace for an elite chemical company that only hired experienced consultants, and who fostered a corporate culture that gave freedom to express entrepreneurial ambitions.

The Beginning

Kroff Chemical Company Is Launched

In 1988 Kronk and Potthoff merged their last names to form Kroff Chemical Company Inc. Their first few years of business was focused on the steel industry with other accounts falling into the light industrial, commercial and industrial sectors.

First Employee

Joining With Enthusiasm

Kroff hired their first employee in 1990. “As we hired people, we let them gravitate towards industries that they felt strongest in like hospitals, universities or coal,” said Potthoff. “We knew hiring seasoned and enthusiastic employees was key to growing our business in industries that were new territories.”

Early Growth

Growth was Inevitable

Following this simple philosophy of hiring experienced, ambitious and entrepreneurial-minded experts in their industry led to a natural progression of six companies within a six year period:

  • 2007
    Kroff Facilities Services
  • 2008
    Kroff Well Services
  • 2008
    Kroff International
  • 2009
    Kroff Process Technologies
  • 2011
    Kroff Lab Services
  • 2013
    Kroff Food Services
  • 2019
    Kroff Landfill Technologies
“

We’re a bottom-up run organization. This is how we’ve grown. We listen to the people in the field who are engaged with customers and their problems.

”

Fred Potthoff

Co-founder Kroff, Inc.

Large Expansion

Expanding into Global Markets

In 2008, Kroff International Limited was launched to expand the founders’ unique corporate ideal of building a “business within a business” to countries around the globe. Today strategic ventures with partner companies and organizations in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America work together to maximize operation efficiencies, meet regulatory compliance measures, and execute green and sustainable solutions.

Clear Culture

One Kroff

Kronk and Potthoff’s vision to build a company around client-based services and solutions, and a culture that rewards employees who express entrepreneurial ambitions, has created hundreds of leaders across eight companies. It all adds up to One Kroff.

“This is a history we’re proud of, but it’s just the beginning, Our future room for growth is only expanding.”