Charles and David Koch have gained notoriety for leveraging their immense wealth to influence political activities.
Ranked as the third wealthiest family in both the United States and the world, following the Walton and Mars families, the Kochs are synonymous with Koch Industries and are often viewed as representatives of the one percent, especially by activists from the Occupy Wall Street era.
While their association with the Tea Party movement through the establishment of KochPAC is well-known, the origins of the Koch brothers’ wealth remain less familiar.
Before becoming the faces of what younger generations perceive as the toxicity and greed of capitalism, these brothers transformed a modest Kansas oil company into the industrial powerhouse that is Koch Industries today.
However, their influence has not been without controversy. Koch Industries faced criticism from environmental advocacy groups such as Greenpeace and regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for pollution caused by its subsidiaries.
In essence, the Kochs’ journey from a humble Kansas oil company to the center of political and environmental scrutiny reflects the complex narrative of their wealth and influence.
How The Koch Brothers Got Started
Koch Industries, founded in 1940 by Fred Koch, originated from his partnership with an MIT classmate in Wichita, Kansas.
Before this venture, Fred Koch developed a groundbreaking thermal cracking process for gasoline production in 1927.
However, due to patent issues, the only sale was to the Soviet Union, which didn’t recognize U.S. patents.
Working in Russia, Koch contributed to building Stalin’s oil refineries and later went to Germany for the Third Reich’s refinery projects.
Returning to the U.S. before World War II, he used his Axis-related fortune to establish the Wood River Oil and Refining Company.
This company evolved into Koch Industries after Fred’s death in 1967 at the age of 67 during a hunting trip with his son David.
Did the Koch Brothers Inherit Their Money?
After Fred Koch’s passing, his estate was equally distributed among his four sons – Fred, Charles, and twins David and William.
However, legal and boardroom conflicts led Fred and Bill to sell their stakes for $1.1 billion, leaving Charles and David as the majority owners, each holding 42 percent.
David’s share was transferred to his heirs upon his death in 2019, and the trust of J. Howard Marshall’s daughter-in-law, Elaine Tettlemer Marshall, owns the remaining 16 percent.
As a privately owned company, Koch Industries is exempt from many financial transparency standards that apply to most major corporations.
Despite this, the company faced criticisms and held the title of the largest private company in America in 2019, generating an estimated $115 billion in annual revenue.
Charles, who had worked at the company for six years leading up to his father’s death, assumed the role of president in 1966 and became chairman in 1967.
In honor of his father, he renamed the company after the family in 1968 and continued to lead it through various global challenges.
So, the question remains: How does Koch Industries generate its revenue?
What Products Do the Koch Brothers Make?
Originally focused on oil, Koch Industries transformed itself by utilizing substantial cash flows to engage in extensive acquisitions, particularly during the 2000s.
Notable acquisitions include Georgia-Pacific, Infor, Guardian Industries, Flint Hills Resources LP, Invista, Koch Minerals, Matador Cattle Company, Molex, among others.
Operating as a vertically and horizontally integrated entity, Koch’s aggressive approach to acquisitions facilitated substantial growth.
The company has a global presence, employing over 130,000 individuals across 70 countries, with a predominant workforce in the United States.
Koch’s diverse subsidiaries contribute to various industries, manufacturing oil, resins, polymers, glass, robotics, biofuels, paper, and even toilet paper.
Invista, a $4.2 billion spinoff from DuPont, focuses on applications like fiber optics and robotics electronics, powered by Molex expertise.
Koch’s substantial assets in oil, chemicals, energy, and fertilizer contributed to a valuation surpassing $100 billion.
How Did the Koch Brothers Make Their Money?
The Koch family are more than industrialists and tycoons – they’re also philanthropists and activists.
Its non-profit foundations began with the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation in 1953 and also includes a variety of Koch-themed trusts.
In 1968, Charles aggressively expanded by partnering with Marshall to acquire and enhance the Pine Bend oil refinery.
It soon entered global commodity trading, real estate, risk management, and more.
Think of him as the Michael Bluth of the family. He inherited a successful company, but he took it in a different direction.
Of course, the Kochs were a lot more successful than the Bluths. This includes Charles’ son Chase Koch, who also works for the family business.
And it is a family business.
Read more: Why the Menendez Siblings Killed Their Parents? The Shocking Untold Story
Why Is Koch Industries Not Public?
Koch Industries remains private, enjoying the freedom and autonomy that comes with private ownership.
In 2020, while many rushed to go public for pandemic recovery, the Koch family, with no need for capital, kept their business private.
This approach contributed to the company’s significant growth, making it the largest privately owned entity.
The Koch brothers’ wealth reflects their successful strategy of retaining ownership and control.
How Rich Are the Koch Brothers?
Charles Koch was worth an estimated $44.9 billion as of November 2020.
At 85, nearing the end of his life, he openly states that the board will select his successor.
He might be the sole blocker of a Koch IPO, and the family may consider going public after his demise.
The Koch family’s wealth exceeds $100 billion, and their toilet paper business thrived during the 2020 shortage.
Charles plans to pass on his vast fortune to his heirs. Despite dilution over generations, the Koch family remains incredibly wealthy.
T Bag, J.D., LL.M. Professor of Law and Mediation Expert in Family and Siblings Property Disputes
Education:
- J.D., Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Harvard Law School
- LL.M., Estate Planning and Family Law, Yale Law School
Experience:
- Over 15 years of experience mediating complex family property disputes, including estate conflicts and business succession issues.
- Extensive background in facilitating negotiations between siblings and other family members to preserve relationships and family wealth.
- Recognized authority on the legal and psychological aspects of property disputes among family members.
Publications:
- “Mediating Family Property and Estate Conflicts: Keeping the Peace and Preserving Family Wealth” – A comprehensive guide on the advantages of mediation over litigation in family disputes.
- “Negotiating Principles of Entitlement in Sibling Property Disputes” – An analysis of entitlement principles applied in sibling conflicts over property.
Professional Affiliations:
- Member of the American Bar Association, Section of Dispute Resolution
- Fellow at the Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution, University of Missouri
Awards:
- Recipient of the Excellence in Mediation Award from the National Mediation Conference
- Honored with the Distinguished Mediator Award by the International Mediation Institute
Teaching:
- Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, teaching courses on family law, estate planning, and conflict resolution.
- Guest lecturer at various law schools across the USA, sharing insights on mediating family property disputes.
Consulting:
- Provides expert consulting services to law firms and families on matters related to inheritance, property rights, and intergenerational wealth transfer.
- Advises on creating legal frameworks that minimize conflict and promote fair resolution in family property disputes.
Philosophy:
- Believes in the power of mediation to resolve conflicts while maintaining family harmony and protecting privacy.
- Advocates for creative and compassionate solutions that address the underlying emotional dynamics of family disputes.
Contact Information:
- Email: tbag@usamediationexpert.edu
- Office: Department of Law, University of California, Berkeley