The New York industrialist who made hundreds of millions of dollars in the 19th century with the Standard Oil Company and pioneered the corporate strategy of vertical integration was John D. Rockefeller. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil in 1870 and developed a vertically integrated business model that combined exploration, production, refining, and distribution of oil products. This integration allowed him to control costs at every stage, offer lower prices, and outcompete rivals. He also acquired infrastructure like pipelines, tankers, and warehouses to strengthen his supply chain. By the end of the 19th century, Standard Oil refined over 90% of the oil in the U.S., and Rockefeller had become a multimillionaire through this strategy
. Vertical integration under Rockefeller meant owning and managing the entire supply chain from crude oil extraction to the final product delivery, which was a pioneering approach at the time and contributed significantly to Standard Oil's dominance and profitability
. Thus, John D. Rockefeller is the industrialist associated with Standard Oil and the innovation of vertical integration in the 19th century.
