Frits Philips facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frits Philips
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Portrait of Frits Philips, 1971
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Frederik Jacques Philips
16 April 1905 |
| Died | 5 December 2005 (aged 100) Eindhoven, Netherlands
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| Nationality | Dutch |
| Alma mater | Technische Hogeschool Delft |
| Known for | Chairman of the BOD of Philips |
| Spouse(s) | Sylvia van Lennep (1929–1992) |
| Children | 7 |
| Parent(s) | Anton Philips (1874–1951) Anna de Jongh |
Frederik Jacques "Frits" Philips (born April 16, 1905 – died December 5, 2005) was a very important leader of the Dutch electronics company Philips. His father and uncle started the company. Frits Philips became the fourth chairman of its board of directors.
During World War II, he did something incredibly brave. He saved 382 Jewish people from the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Because of his heroic actions, he was honored in 1996 by Yad Vashem as a Righteous Among the Nations. This is a special title for non-Jewish people who saved Jews during the Holocaust.
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Frits Philips' Early Life and School
Frits Philips was born in Eindhoven, a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. He was the only son of Anton Philips and Anne Henriëtte Elisabeth Maria de Jongh. His father helped officially create the Philips company in 1912. Frits had two sisters, Annetje and Jettie.
In 1923, Frits began studying at the Delft University of Technology. He earned his engineering degree in mechanical engineering in 1929. Later, in 1934, he learned about the Oxford Group. This was a Christian movement that inspired him throughout his life.
Family Life and Marriage
Frits Philips married Sylvia, Jonkvrouw van Lennep, on July 4, 1929, in The Hague. She was also inspired by the Oxford Group. They had seven children together. Sylvia passed away in 1992.
Frits Philips' Career at Philips
On October 18, 1935, Frits Philips became a vice-director and a member of the board at Philips.
When Nazi Germany was expected to invade the Netherlands in 1940, during World War II, Frits's father and other family members left the country. They went to the United States and took some of the company's money with them. However, Frits Philips decided to stay in the Netherlands. He worked hard to keep the company running during the war.
From May to September 1943, Frits Philips was held in the Vught concentration camp. This happened because of a strike at the Philips factory. During the Nazi occupation, Frits Philips saved the lives of 382 Jewish people. He convinced the Nazis that these workers were absolutely necessary for the Philips factory to produce goods. In 1996, he was recognized as a Righteous Among the Nations for this amazing act.
In 1961, Frits Philips became the president of the Philips company. He held this important position for 10 years. In 1971, Henk van Riemsdijk took over from him.
Frits Philips lived to be 100 years old. He passed away on December 5, 2005, after a fall.
Frits Philips and Aviation
After World War II, many people realized how useful airplanes could be. Business leaders saw that planes could help them travel quickly to different company locations. This led to companies starting their own flight departments.
As a leader of Philips, Frits Philips was one of the first to create a company flight department. He bought a Beechcraft Super G18 plane for Philips. Over time, the flight department grew to include other planes like Dassault Falcons and Fokker F27s.
In 1977, Frits Philips helped start the International Business Aviation Association (Europe). This group, now called the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), helps businesses use planes for travel. It also hosts a big yearly event called EBACE.
Frits Philips also played a key role in building the civilian terminal at Eindhoven Airport. This helped make the airport better for everyone.
"Mister Frits"
Frits Philips was incredibly popular in his hometown of Eindhoven. People there often called him "Meneer Frits," which means "Mister Frits." He treated everyone equally, whether they worked in the factory or were on the board of directors. He often talked with the factory workers, which made him very well-liked.
His 100th birthday in 2005 was a huge celebration in Eindhoven. The city was even renamed "Frits Philips Stad" (Frits Philips City) for the day! They also made a special coin with his nickname, "Fritske." The yearly Lichtjesroute (Lights Route) event honored him that year with a special picture of him lit up along the route.
Even at 100 years old, Frits Philips often went to the home football matches of PSV, the local team. He didn't sit in the fancy business lounge. Instead, he sat with the fans in the regular seats. PSV has decided to keep his favorite seat empty as a memorial to him. When he died, fans held a minute of silence before a match to honor their "Mr. Frits."
A magazine for Eindhoven is named "Frits" in his honor. The Muziekgebouw Frits Philips concert hall is also named after him, and the restaurant inside is called "Meneer Frits."
The Evoluon Building
In 1966, the Philips company celebrated its 75th anniversary. Frits Philips wanted to give a special gift to the people of Eindhoven to support education. He sketched an idea on a paper napkin, and this became the Evoluon building. The Evoluon was used as a science and technology education center.
In 1989, the city closed the Evoluon to the public. They changed it into a conference center, which made Frits Philips sad. In his later years, he tried to get people interested in making the Evoluon a public science center again.
The Caux Round Table
In 1986, Frits Philips helped start a group called the Caux Round Table (CRT). This group brought together important business leaders from Europe, Japan, and America. He was worried about trade disagreements between countries. He believed it was important for international businesses to trust each other and act responsibly.
In 1994, the CRT published its "Principles for Business." These principles combined Western ideas, like human dignity, with Japanese ideas, like kyosei (which means working together for the common good). This guide for good business practices was presented to the United Nations. It has since been used by many international companies.
The Philips Art Collection
Frits and Sylvia Philips had a large and famous art collection. After Frits Philips passed away, a big part of this collection was sold at an auction in 2006. The auction took place at the Evoluon building in Eindhoven.
Frits Philips loved collecting art and was friends with Dutch painters like Sierk Schröder and Henri Bol. The auction raised 5.7 million euros. Many interesting items were sold, including old tin objects, Delft tiles, and silver candlesticks. A painting by the "Master of Saint Ildefonso" sold for a high price. There were also rare globes from the 1600s.
Awards and Honours
Frits Philips received many special awards and honors during his life.
- In 1965, he became an honorary citizen of Eindhoven. This was for his great contributions to the city.
- Also in 1965, he was given the rank of Commander in the Order of Orange-Nassau, a Dutch royal honor.
- In 1970, he was made a Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion.
- He also received honors from many other countries, including Japan, Spain, Denmark, and China.
- In 1995, on his 90th birthday, the Muziekgebouw Frits Philips concert hall was named after him.
- In 1996, he was honored as "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem. This was for saving 382 Jewish employees during World War II.
- In 1999, he was named "Dutch entrepreneur of the century."
- In 2005, to celebrate his 100th birthday, Eindhoven was officially renamed "Frits Philips Stad" for one day.
See also
In Spanish: Frits Philips para niños
