17 Facts About Frits Philips

Frederik Jacques "Frits" Philips was the fourth chairman of the board of directors of the Dutch electronics company Philips, which his uncle and father founded.

Frits Philips was born in the city of Eindhoven in the south of the Netherlands.

Frits Philips's father was of Dutch Jewish origin, as well as the co-founder when in 1912 they incorporated the family business.

Frits Philips had an older sister named Annetje and a younger sister named Jettie.

In 1923, Frits Philips started his studies at the Delft University of Technology; he received an engineer's degree in mechanical engineering in 1929.

Frits Philips was introduced to the Oxford Group in 1934, the Christian movement that was the forerunner of Moral Re-Armament and Initiatives of Change.

On 18 October 1935, Frits Philips was appointed vice-director and a member of the board of Philips.

From 30 May until 20 September 1943, Frits Philips was held in the concentration camp Vught because of a strike at the Frits Philips factory.

In 1961, Frits Philips succeeded Frans Otten as president of the company.

Frits Philips served in this position for 10 years; in 1971 he was succeeded by Henk van Riemsdijk.

At the age of 100, on 5 December 2005, Frits Philips died from complications resulting from a fall in November.

Frits Philips was instrumental in the construction of the civilian Terminal building and Eindhoven Airport.

Frits Philips made no class difference between factory workers and members of the board of directors: he was often seen chatting to the factory workers, which contributed to his popularity.

At the age of 100, Frits Philips frequently visited the home football matches of PSV.

In 1986, Frits Philips launched the Caux Round Table group of senior European, Japanese and American business executives.

Frits Philips saw the need to build trust among international executives and for Corporate Social Responsibility practices.

Frits Philips has received many honorary titles and awards during his life.