Industrialist and Israel Prize winner Stef Wertheimer dies at 98

Steph Wertheimer, Israeli industrialist and Israel Prize winner, passed away today (Wednesday) at the age of 98, a constant source of inspiration to Israelis in his persistent industrial work.

Wertheimer was born in 1926 in Kippenheim, Germany, immigrating with his family to Israel in 1937. In 1943, he enlisted in the British Air Force and served as an officer working on optical equipment at a British Air Force base in Bahrain. In 1945, he joined the Palmach, the Zionist elite combat force, completed a pilot course, and was assigned as an engineering officer for underground defense industry development - which was most weapons production when the British ruled the country.

In 1952, he founded "Iscar" in Nahariya to manufacture cutting tools from hard metals, initially in his family's shed and later in a larger warehouse. 98% of Iscar's production is for export, serving the automotive, aerospace, space, and electronics industries. In 2006, Iscar was purchased by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Group.

In 1967, in response to Charles de Gaulle's embargo on French weapon exports to Israel, Wertheimer began producing jet engine blades. What started as a small factory became a strategic asset: the Israeli Air Force would no longer depend on imported blades. Over the years, this plant gained international recognition and partnered with leading international aviation companies like "Pratt & Whitney" and "Rolls-Royce", which became his partners in blade production.

Since 1982, Wertheimer established seven industrial parks - six in Israel and one in Turkey. In Israel: Tsfat, Tefen, Dalton, Lavon, and Nazareth in the north, and the Omer industrial park in the south. In Turkey, an industrial park was established in Gebze.

The first park in Tsfat created a unique model, following which other parks were established. Their goal was to promote export industries to encourage a new generation of entrepreneurs, who were guided by professionals in the industrial parks until they could export.

Wertheimer also established and supported professional schools in collaboration with the Industry Ministry for vocational training in advanced machining in Lavon (for Jews and Arabs), and for soldiers in IDF bases in the Navy in Haifa and in the Ordnance Corps in Julis, to promote professionals for the Israeli industry.

Wertheimer, who established the settlements of Kfar Vradim and Lavon, worked to integrate smart industry in the industrial parks, alongside cultural activities, quality of life, and establishing quality residential areas that allowed young populations to remain in the Galilee and the Negev.

Wertheimer's vision was to create work and livelihood in Israel and its neighboring countries, so that action would replace conflict, thus stabilizing the Middle East. He worked to establish joint industrial zones on the borders of Jordan and Egypt, and once convened a conference in Tsfat with senior officials from the US, Europe, Israel, and Arab country representatives to formulate a plan for regional cooperation in creating employment and coexistence.

His son and successor, Eitan Wertheimer, passed away from a serious illness two years ago.

Stef Wertheimer is survived by 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.