I had the great honour as a guess (representing a Vishay distributor) in a Vishay Sales convention years back and met Dr. Zandman. We shook hand, exchange well wishes and I could feel the greatness in the man ... holocast survivor, scientist, founder of Vishay. He is a man who is overflowing with passion for his life and work. I was awed and inspired by the man. It may yet be his last journey, as the man famously said "Never The Last Journey"!
This is a wonderful tribute, Bolaji. Anyone who got to spend some time with Dr. Zandman was better for the experience, and your blog does him justice. Many of the people in the industry that have contacted EBN about Dr. Zandman talk first about the gentleman he was and then the company he built. What a legacy to leave behind.
I met Dr Zandman in the 90's and was very impressed with his calm demeanor and hands on approach to a multi billion $ multi national company. Two or three years ago, I had the opportunity to be present at the NEDA Executive Conference where Dr Zandman received a Lifetime Achievement Award. He kept a room of 350 hardened execs spellbound as he talked about his life in a Nazi concentration camp, his escape to a town called Vishey Poland, where a family of strangers took him and several others in at great risk. He lived in a ditch under a barn for 17 months and learned science and engineering from his uncle, in a ditch, by candlelight.
In a world where the word "great" is thrown around carelessly, this truly was a great man who spent his life giving back to society through humanitarian efforts.
I never had the honor of meeting Dr. Zandman but a few of my colleagues did. They spoke very highly of him. It often takes the experience of real hardship to develop the mettle to excel in the business world. Dr. Zandman will be missed.
Definitely a motivating article Bolaji, The story reveals the complete hardwork and attitude to achieve. Wishing his son good luck in all means and continue the good work his father did.
Yes, it is a very inspiring story. The quotes really show the clear-sightedness in acknowledging the customer and an affirmation of life in saying that there are still unwritten chapters to go for an octogenarian.
Hi Bolaji, thanks for sharing this very inspirational and very moving article.To overcome such unimaginable hardships and to build a Fortune 1000, employing over 22,000 people is truly amazing. Although, I never met Dr. Felix Zandman, the legend that created one of the largest electronics component’s companies, he will be missed.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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