Entrepreneur Timeline - Herman W. Lay

By Failed-druid2
  • Born

    Born

    Herman W. Lay was born in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • Graduated from Highschool

    Graduated from Highschool

    Herman Lay graduated from Greenville High-school
  • Early Business

    Early Business

    During the Democratic Convention in Houston, Herman Lay and a friend spent $100 on ice cream planning to sell it, but the parade re-routed, and they missed their chance.
  • Founded H.W Lay Distributing Company

    Founded H.W Lay Distributing Company

    Herman Lay took out a $100 dollar loan and founded his company, H.W Lay Distributing Company.
  • Employed

    Employed

    Herman Lay was employed at Barrett Potato Chip Co. as an extra salesman, after turning down the original job offer during the Great Depression. Later that same year, he was named distributor of Barrett.
  • Married

    Married

    Herman Lay married Amelia Harper.
  • Hired Salesmen

    Hired Salesmen

    Herman had hired 25 more salesmen for job, and began his own snack line.
  • Moved to Atlanta

    Moved to Atlanta

    Lay's moved to Atlanta.
  • Business became publicly owned

    Business became publicly owned

    H.W Lay Co became publicly owned, and was the largest creator of potato chips in the country.
  • Company Merge

    Company Merge

    Lay's merged with The Frito Company.
  • Second Merge

    Second Merge

    The Lay-Frito Company merged with Pepsi to form the PepsiCo.Inc
  • Moved Office

    Moved Office

    Herman moved from Chairman and CEO to Chairman of the Executive Committee.
  • Earned 'Golden Plate Award'

    Earned 'Golden Plate Award'

    Herman Lay earned the Golden Plate award from the American Academy of Achievement.
  • Retired

    Retired

    Herman Lay retired from PepsiCo.
  • Dies

    Dies

    Herman W. Lay died on December 6, 1982.