Stef Wertheimer

Self-taught machinist who turned a one-man backyard shop into ISCAR — the carbide-tool multinational Warren Buffett valued above $10 billion — and an apostle of "industry for peace."

Born in Kippenheim, Germany, in 1926; his family fled Nazi Germany for Mandatory Palestine in 1937. Largely self-taught, with no university degree; an RAF technical contractor in WWII and a Palmach member. Founded ISCAR in 1952 as a backyard metal shop in Nahariya and built it into the IMC Group, a multinational maker of carbide cutting tools. Built the Tefen Industrial Park (1982). Berkshire Hathaway bought 80% of IMC in 2006 (~$4B) and the rest in 2013 (~$2.05B). A Knesset member 1977–1981. Died 26 March 2025, aged 98.

Notable achievements

• Founded ISCAR (1952) and built it into the multinational IMC Group.
• Sold to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway — his first acquisition outside the US (2006).
• Founded ISCAR Blades (1968), later Blades Technology (jet-engine components).
• Built the Tefen Industrial Park (1982), his model "capitalistic kibbutz."
• Served as a Knesset member (1977–1981) and advocated a "Marshall Plan for the Middle East."

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