Louis Gerstner, credited with rescuing IBM from decline, has died aged 83.
The company announced his death on Sunday.
Gerstner served as chair and CEO from 1993 to 2002, during a period of deep uncertainty.
IBM was losing relevance amid rising competition from firms such as Microsoft.
He became IBM’s first external chief executive and rejected plans to break up the company.
Instead, he kept IBM intact and focused on integrated solutions for clients.
Current CEO Arvind Krishna said that decision was crucial to IBM’s survival.
Gerstner prioritised profitability, customer service and execution over grand vision statements.
He oversaw IBM’s shift away from struggling PC-era strategies, including abandoning OS/2.
Before IBM, Gerstner led American Express and RJR Nabisco, and later chaired the Carlyle Group.
Krishna described him as demanding, direct and intensely focused on delivery and innovation.
