Early Life
Elizabeth Anne Uihlein (née Hallberg) was born in July 1945. She is the wife of Richard Uihlein, an heir to the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company fortune. Growing up, she was exposed to contrasting views, with her mother holding liberal beliefs and her father being a conservative.
Rise to Success
In 1980, Elizabeth and her husband, Richard, co-founded Uline, a company selling shipping and business supplies. Starting from their basement with seed money from Richard's father, Edgar Uihlein, their initial product was a carton sizer. Uline rapidly expanded, growing its catalog to over 17,000 products by the 2000s. In 2010, the company relocated its headquarters to Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, which has since become a hub for their operations, eventually growing to over 9,000 employees and expanding to multiple distribution centers across the United States and Canada.
Key Business Strategies
Elizabeth Uihlein's leadership has been characterized by her hands-on approach and deep product knowledge. She is known for her passion for the business and for consistently expanding Uline’s product offerings. The company emphasizes customer service, speed, and reliability, which are core tenets that have driven Uline’s success.
Philanthropy
While her business acumen is noteworthy, Elizabeth and her husband are also known for their significant political contributions. They have donated heavily to Republican candidates, making them some of the top donors in the U.S. The couple has contributed an estimated $400 million over the years to back conservative candidates and causes in federal races, including over $140 million during the 2023-2024 election cycle.