William Beverly Murphy

Former CEO of the Campbell Soup Company.

What is William Beverly Murphy known for?

William Beverly Murphy, an accomplished American businessman, was born on June 17, 1907 in Appleton, Wisconsin. After attending Appleton West High School, he sought higher education at the University of Wisconsin where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering in 1928.

His impressive career began at the A.C. Nielsen Company in Chicago, where he is credited for the conception of the Nielsen Food Index and Nielsen Drug Index Services. He held various positions at the company between 1928–1938, finally reaching the title of Executive Vice President.

Subsequently, Murphy transitioned to the Campbell Soup Company in 1938, starting as Assistant to the General Manager. His tenure saw him ascended through the ranks to become the company's president and CEO from 1953 to 1972. His leadership was instrumental in transforming Campbell's Soup, taking the corporation public and expanding its brand portfolio to incorporate brands like Pepperidge Farm, Franco-American, V8 Juice, Swanson, and Godiva.

Despite his business successes, Murphy's rigorous managerial style, which emphasized lean manufacturing and high production targets led to conflicts with his workers. The most significant clash occurred in 1968 when AFL-CIO affiliated locals attempted to coordinate their contracts across all Campbell plants, an idea firmly opposed by Murphy.

Outside of corporate life, Murphy contributed significantly to the academic community, notably at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was a life member emeritus of the MIT Corporation and served on several MIT standing committees and the visiting committees for various departments.

In 1980, Murphy was honored with the Henry Laurence Gantt Memorial Medal for his notable achievement in management. He also served on numerous government advisory panels and was a director of significant companies including AT&T, Merck & Co., Inc., and International Paper.

Murphy passed away on May 29, 1994, at the age of 86 of pneumonia in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, leaving a legacy of remarkable contributions to the American food industry and exceptional management practice.