Wisconsin hall of fame inducts hort supply leader Kurt Dramm

Horticultural supply industry leader Kurt Dramm has been inducted into a Wisconsin growers hall of fame.

The Commercial Growers of Wisconsin (CGW) honored Dramm with induction into the state industry’s Hall of Fame.

Dramm, a leader in the horticultural supply industry, died May 16. He was 85.

Dramm was the co-founder of the Manitowoc, Wisconsin, based Dramm Corp., which supplied water treatment products, horticultural equipment, professional watering tools and fertilizers for the commercial greenhouse and retail gardening sectors.

His name will now be displayed at the Boerner Botanical Gardens Visitor Center in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.

The CGW is a diverse organization comprising of wholesale and retail plant production business owners, employees, greenhouse suppliers, horticultural students, and other advocates dedicated to the advancement of Wisconsin’s horticulture and floriculture industries.

“Kurt Dramm was awarded this honor in recognition of his selfless contributions and lasting positive impact on the horticulture and floriculture industry throughout his entrepreneurial career,” according to a news release.

Kurt and his brother John co-founded the company in 1968, producing garden and greenhouse watering products. Their mother, Perdita, managed the business from her basement when she wasn’t working as a librarian.

Following John’s early passing in 1978, Kurt led the Dramm Corp. for more than 45 years, expanding it into four segments: commercial greenhouse equipment, retail gardening products, Drammatic organic fertilizer, and DRAMMwater for greenhouse water treatment systems.

Kurt’s 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony occurred on Oct. 9 at Natural Beauty Growers in Denmark, Wisconsin.

Kurt’s daughter, Heidi, son Hans, and wife Marlene received the award on his behalf. The Dramm family expressed deep gratitude and humility in accepting this honor in Kurt’s memory.