Stef Wertheimer: Businessman and Founder of Iscar and the Wertheimer Foundation
The name Stef Wertheimer holds a special place in the world of business and philanthropy. He is best known as the founder of the industrial tooling company Iscar, but his impact around the world goes much deeper. The Wertheimer Foundation, which Stef established in 1990, seeks to promote initiatives in education, science, culture, and research. As an influential business leader, he has inspired a better quality of life both in Israel and worldwide. He’s a great example of what can be accomplished through hard work and determination.
Early Years and Education
Stef Wertheimer was born in Mannheim, Germany in 1926, and moved to Israel in 1935. He followed the path of many Jews escaping persecution in Europe and brought his family to Jerusalem. At an early age, Wertheimer began working in a machine shop, gaining vital experience in the field. After three years of working, he utilized his connections to get a job in England and eventual the United States. Stef was able to save up enough money to pay for his studies at a machine shop in Switzerland, where he learned to read and understand blueprints.
Military Service
From 1948-1961, Wertheimer worked for the Israel Defense Forces in various roles such as a research engineer, Commander, and Technical Officer in the Air Force Division. In his role as a research engineer, Wertheimer developed many devices such as a machine that milled the lower part of a gun barrels, the first infra-red guidance system to the armies missile launcher, and a towed target to teach the firing system of artillery weapons.
Business Career
Stef Wertheimer began his business career in 1962 when he established his first tool manufacture business in Tefen, Israel. He named it Iscar after his father, Isaac Wertheimer. Under his leadership, Iscar was able to expand its business operations, launch several other companies, and sell to several large historical names in the tooling industry such as Mitsubishi in Japan and Giddings & Lewis in the United States.
Wertheimer’s success within the tooling industry allowed him to become the majority shareholder for the Tefen Industrial Park. This business park housed many international companies looking to enter the Israeli market as well as provide employment for the local workforce.
The Wertheimer Foundation
In 1990, Wertheimer created the Wertheimer Foundation to enable progress in the industrial, commercial and technical spheres in Israel. The foundation achieved this by carrying out conferences, supporting research, developing and promoting local business, and giving grants to individuals and organizations.
The Wertheimer Foundation’s mission is to promote industrial education, science, and research in order to develop strong business and social networks in Israel and abroad. The foundation has also performed many donation programs, including donations to universities, cultural centers and the Israel Museum.
The Wertheimer Foundation has also been involved in many economic development programs in Israel, such as the Magic Touch Hi-Tech program. This program provides disadvantaged youths in Israel with scholarships for multiple courses and is a great example of Wertheimer’s philanthropy.
Influence
Stef Wertheimer has become an influential leader, showing how hard work and risk-taking can lead to a successful business career and helping create a better quality of life. His ideas have inspired both students and businesses to pursue sustained success and sustainable development.
As an influential public figure, Wertheimer was interviewed by the Harvard Business School, sharing his insights and experiences. He was also the keynote speaker at the United Nations 7th International Industrial Development Conference, sharing his views on how to achieve economic growth by way of stability and how to promote science and technology.
Notable Accomplishments
There have been a number of notable accolades for Stef Wertheimer, all of which are representative of his success and importance as a business leader and philanthropist. He was given the Israel Prize for Economic Leadership in 1987 and is a member of the World Entrepreneur of the Year Academy. He was awarded the President’s Award for Innovation in 2011 and was appointed Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Throughout his long and illustrious career, Stef Wertheimer has been a powerful symbol of business success and philanthropy. His accomplishments and the foundation that bears his name have touched many lives around the world, and continue to be an inspiration to future generations. Through hard work, determination, and a passion for making the world a better place, Stef Wertheimer has shown that anything is possible.
