Morton Mandel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Morton Mandel
Born	Morton Leon Mandel (1921-09-19)September 19, 1921 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Died	October 16, 2019(2019-10-16) (aged 98) Florida, U.S.
Education	Case Western Reserve University
Occupation	Businessman
Spouse(s)	Barbara Mandel

Morton Leon Mandel (born September 19, 1921 – died October 16, 2019) was an American businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. A philanthropist is someone who gives money and time to help others and good causes. With his two brothers, Jack and Joe, he started the Premier Automotive Supply Company in 1940. This company grew into one of the world's top distributors of industrial parts and electronic components. Morton Mandel also gave a lot of money to charities and organizations in Cleveland, for Jewish causes, and in Israel through the Mandel Foundation.

Mandel earned a bachelor's degree and received eleven special honorary doctorates from universities.

Morton Mandel's Life Story

Morton Mandel was born into a Jewish family in Cleveland, Ohio. His mother, Rose, and his older siblings, Meriam Ellen, Jack N., and Joseph C., came to the United States from Galicia (a region in Eastern Europe) in 1920. They got help from the Red Cross. Morton's father, Simon, had already moved to the U.S. in 1913 from Poland, planning to bring his family once he was settled.

Morton was born in Cleveland about 15 months after his mother arrived. His parents ran a small dry goods shop. His family moved several times because they struggled to pay rent. Growing up, Morton shared a room with his two brothers and wore hand-me-downs (clothes passed down from older siblings). Even though they didn't have much money, Morton's mother often gave what little she had to charity. The family kept up their Jewish traditions, and young Morton went to an afternoon Hebrew school.

After his bar mitzvah at age 13, he started working after school. He sold hot dogs, drinks, peanuts, and popcorn at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Morton's father became very ill with multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the body. As his father's illness got worse, his mother became the main provider for the family, selling clothes from suitcases on the streets of Cleveland. After high school, Morton studied chemistry at Adelbert College. But he left in his second year to join the automotive parts shop that he and his brothers had bought from their uncle.

In 1949, Morton met Barbara Abrams, whom he later married. They had three children: Amy, Thom, and Stacy. Morton and Barbara Mandel owned homes in Cleveland, Florida, and New York.

In 1967, after the Six-Day War in Israel, Mandel and his wife visited Israel for the first time. This trip, along with his involvement in the Jewish community in Cleveland, became a very important part of his life.

In 2012, Mandel published a book called It's All About Who You Hire, How They Lead ... and Other Essential Advice from a Self-Made Leader. In this book, he shared his ideas about business and giving back to the community. The book was also published in China and Israel.

On May 19, 2013, Mandel received his bachelor's degree from Case Western Reserve University. He finished the studies he had started back in 1939. He was also an active member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity.

Morton Mandel passed away on October 16, 2019, at his home in Florida.

Military Service During WWII

In 1943, Morton Mandel joined the U.S. Army to fight in World War II. A few months after he joined, the Army sent him and thousands of other soldiers back to school. They did this because they were worried there wouldn't be enough engineers during the war. Mandel spent two years studying for the Army, first at Pomona College in Claremont, California, and then at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1946, after the war ended, Mandel, who was now a 2nd Lieutenant, was sent back home to Cleveland.

She taught me about life, courage and believing in myself that I can do great things, and if I do not succeed the first time, I'll try again. ... My mother helped me reach success. She kept on saying - I expect great things from you.

During his time in World War II, Mandel was in charge of moving fifteen wounded American soldiers from a hospital in Memphis to another hospital further south. Along the way, the group stopped for lunch. However, the African American soldiers in the group were not allowed into the restaurant. This was the same restaurant where German prisoners of war were being served. Mandel was very upset by this unfair treatment. He took the group away from the restaurant, even though they could have used meal vouchers there. Instead, he bought them sandwiches from a street vendor. This showed his strong belief in fairness and equality.

Morton Mandel's Business Journey

In the spring of 1940, Morton Mandel's uncle, Jacob Mandel, decided to move from Cleveland to Chicago. He offered to sell his auto repair shop to Morton's brother, Jack. Jack then brought his two brothers, Joe (who sold soap) and Morton (who worked in the shop after school), together to start their first business. They used their $900 savings to buy the shop. They also got a $3,000 loan from their uncle, Conrad Mandel, to buy things to sell. On August 1, 1940, they opened the Premier Automotive Supply Company, which sold car parts.

Premier Industrial Corporation: Growing the Business

In 1945, after Morton returned from his military service, he rejoined his family's business. Joe also returned from a job in a war plant, and Jack had kept the business going during their brothers' time away. When Morton came back, he became the general manager and handled how the business was run. Premier Automotive originally sold auto parts. In 1946, it became Premier Autoware. Soon after, the brothers realized that many other distributors were selling the same parts, and they weren't making much profit.

After a few months of asking their customers what parts they really needed, they made a list of "hard to get" parts. Then, they found places to buy these special parts. When they sold these "hard to get" items, their sales went up a lot because there was a big demand. This is how their business started to grow.

We learned basic philosophy. If you find a need and fill it, you have something that will lead to growth.

The brothers also built their business around excellent customer service. They used slogans like "Always Trying to Raise the Bar" and "A Focus on Our People." To achieve this, they hired an engineer to help understand their customers' needs. Later, they created a customer service department that was open 24 hours a day, even on holidays and weekends, to help clients. For example, when a ride at Walt Disney World broke down on a Saturday, their company shipped the needed part within hours that same day.

They later bought an electronic supply division, which helped the company grow even more. In 1955, Mandel hired Bob Warren, who helped change the company. In 1972, Warren became its President. In May 1960, the company changed its name to the Premier Industrial Corporation. Morton Mandel then launched its initial public offering (IPO), which meant selling shares of the company to the public for the first time. His brothers kept 70% of the ownership. Four years later, the company was listed on the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange). This allowed the company to buy more than a dozen other industrial and electronic parts companies.

In 1968, they bought Newark Electronics, which greatly expanded the company's reach into electronic components. Premier Industrial Corporation specialized in distributing electronics, maintenance products, and firefighting equipment. It also sold many other products like lubricants, welding supplies, and fasteners to over 100,000 customers worldwide.

In the late 1960s, Mandel started working in the Cleveland business community. He served as a Director for the Central National Bank of Cleveland and the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. until 1979. He then left these roles to focus more on his charity work. As Premier Industrial Corporation grew, Mandel met monthly with Peter Drucker, a famous business expert, who gave advice on various company matters.

In the 1970s, Premier Industrial Corporation began operating in Europe. By 1977, the company had opened a research and development center where they made products specifically for customers' needs. By 1984, the company had 18 different divisions. Electronics made up half of its $465 million in sales, and the company made a profit of $48 million. It became one of the largest U.S. distributors of auto parts and electronic components.

While staying at the Palm Beach Country Club, Mandel met Bernard Madoff. Most of Mandel's advisors suggested investing in Madoff's fund. However, Mandel refused because Madoff was not transparent about his business. Premier Industrial Corporation won many business awards, including being one of fifty top companies featured in the 1995 book, Making It in America.

In 1996, Premier Industrial Corporation had 16 different divisions and was worth nearly $3 billion. It then joined with the British company Farnell Electronics PLC to form Premier Farnell PLC. This became one of the largest industrial and electronic components suppliers in the world. Mandel served as the Deputy Chairman of Premier Farnell until 2002.

During Morton Mandel's 36 years as the Chairman of the Premier Industrial Corporation, the company had 34 years where its profits grew. In 30 of those years, its net profit after taxes was more than 10% of its business operations.

Business Ventures in Israel

Morton Mandel's first business involvement in Israel began in 2003. His family's private investment company, Parkwood Corporation, started Israel Equity Limited (IEL). Mandel was the Chairman of this company. IEL is an investment company that aims to help Israel's industrial sector. It does this by buying industrial companies and making their management and business results better. IEL has bought and invested in companies like Tadbik Group, Bikur Rofe, and Phoenicia Glass Works Ltd. These investments together provide jobs for more than 800 workers.

Mandel also invested in the hi-tech sector. His first such investment was in Medivent, which was the second hi-tech company in Israel. In 2011, Mandel was one of the first investors in Pontifax, a company that invests in life science companies (companies that work with living organisms, like in medicine).

Morton Mandel's Philanthropy

In 1953, the three Mandel brothers founded the Mandel Foundation. This foundation supports many charitable causes. The foundation's main office is in Cleveland.

In the late 1970s, Morton Mandel started spending more time on charity work in the Cleveland area. He served on the boards of many important organizations, including:

• Case Western Reserve University, Trustee
• Cleveland Museum of Art, Trustee
• Musical Arts Association (The Cleveland Orchestra), Trustee
• Cleveland Tomorrow, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman
• Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, President (1952–1957)
• Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, President (1974–1977)
• United Way Services, Chairman of the Board (1979–1981); President (1977–1979)
• City of Cleveland Project MOVE, Founder (1981)
• Park Works, Co-founder and Trustee (1981–1997)
• MidTown Cleveland, Co-Founder and Chairman (1982–1985); Trustee (1982)
• Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations, CWRU, Co-Founder (1984)
• Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (1998)

In 1973, Mandel helped start Cleveland's Ten Plus Club. This club encouraged business leaders to increase their donations to $10,000. Morton and his two brothers also gave more than $1 million to the human services campaign of Cleveland's United Way. In 1988, at a ceremony on the White House lawn, President Ronald Reagan gave Premier Industrial Corporation the President's Award for its social initiatives in the private sector. That same year, the Mandel Foundation made a large gift to what was then the School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. In 2013, the school's social work program, which was ranked 9th in the country, received an additional $8 million from the Mandel Foundation.

In 1988, the Mandel Foundation, along with other foundations and local groups, founded Cleveland Neighborhood Progress Inc. Morton Mandel led this project.

In the early 1990s, Mandel became a major supporter of ideas from the Commission on Jewish Education in North America's 1990 report. This report called for making Jewish education stronger and getting community support for Jewish learning. In 1992, Mandel founded the Mandel Leadership Institute in Jerusalem. This institute trains future social leaders through various programs, including its Educational Leadership School and the Israel Defense Forces Education Development Program. By 2014, the program had over 400 graduates. In 2002, following up on the "A Time to Act" report, Mandel founded the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education at Brandeis University. This center focuses on research to improve Jewish education.

In 2004, the Mandel Center for Leadership in the Negev was created. This center works with local governments, non-profit groups, and social activists to develop local leaders in the region. It also aims to improve the quality of life for people living in the Negev desert. The center also works to create better relationships between the Jewish and Bedouin communities in the region. At the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the Mandel Foundation offers a MBA (Master of Business Administration) program in social leadership. This program helps create new Israeli leaders who combine business skills with a commitment to social values.

In 2007, the Mandel Foundation gave $22.5 million to create the Mandel Center for the Humanities at Brandeis University. This center focuses on subjects like literature, language, and philosophy.

Since 2010, the Mandel Foundation has helped establish several institutions and buildings. These include the Mandel Building of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, the Mandel Jewish Community Centers in Cleveland and Palm Beach Gardens, and the Mandel School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This school is next to the university's existing Mandel Institute of Jewish Studies.

In 2010, the Mandel Foundation donated $5 million to build the new Jewish Community Center in Palm Beach Gardens. It also gave $12 million to the new Mandel Wing for Jewish Art and Life at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

In early 2012, the Mandel Foundation donated $5 million to the public library of West Palm Beach. Later that year, the foundation also gave an $18 million grant to build the new Mandel School for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. They also contributed $2.5 million annually to support programs there.

In 2013, the Mandel Foundation gave $25 million to build the new Jerusalem campus for the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. They also supported Bezalel's yearly art exhibition.

In June 2013, the Temple-Tifereth Israel received a matching commitment of $16 million from the Mandel Foundation. This was for a major expansion and renovation of its Beachwood campus in Ohio.

In November 2013, the Mandel Foundation announced a $5 million gift to create the Be'er-Sheva Children's World Museum. They also gave a $1 million grant to the Cleveland Institute of Art for campus updates and to bring its buildings together. The foundation also awarded a $5.25 million gift to Brandeis University. This money was to fund a new faculty position and improve the courses at the Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education.

In 2014, the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City received a $10 million gift from the Morton and Barbara Mandel Family Foundation.

In February 2014, the Mandel Foundation awarded a $13 million grant to build a new building and start new programs for the Mandel Institute for Social Leadership. This institute will be located on the campus of Ben-Gurion University.

In total, Morton Mandel, his wife, and his two brothers donated about $1 billion to charitable and cultural causes. About one-third of this money went to institutions in Israel.

The Mandel Foundation has also published more than 30 books and special reports.

Awards and Recognition

Morton Mandel received many awards for his work and leadership, including:

• Presidential Award (from President Ronald Reagan) for Private Sector Initiatives
• George S. Dively Award for Corporate Leadership in Urban Development
• Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy
• Civic Leader of the Year, Cleveland, Ohio
• Charles Eisenman Award, Cleveland Jewish Community Federation
• Frank L. Weil Award, JCC Association
• Citizen of the Year, Cleveland Board of Realtors
• Honorary Fellow, Bezalel Academy of Arts & Design
• Business Statesman of the Year, Harvard Business School of Cleveland
• Best Management Performance Award, Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management
• Business Executive of the Year, Sales & Marketing Executives of Cleveland
• Newton D. Baker Distinguished Alumni Award, Case Western Reserve University
• Businessman of the Year, Cleveland Urban League
• Outstanding Young Man of the Year, Cleveland Junior Chamber of Commerce

Mandel also received special honorary doctorates from these universities:

• Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
• Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
• Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
• Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
• Yeshiva University, New York, NY
• Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, OH
• Gratz College, Philadelphia, PA
• Cleveland College of Jewish Studies, Cleveland, OH
• Hebrew College, Boston, MA

More Information

• The Mandel Foundation Contributes $25 Million To The New Bezalel Campus
• Mandel earns degree 74 years after first enrolling
• Cooper-Hewitt Receives $10 Million From Morton and Barbara Mandel Family Foundation
• American Academy of Arts and Sciences Honors Morton Mandel
• Morton L. Mandel, Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy recipient and entrepreneur, dies at age 98