26.06.2007

Hasenfratz acknowledged

Frank Hasenfratz, founder of Linamar corporation, the owner of Skyjack aerial lifts has been inducted to the Canadian manufacturing Hall of Fame.

He was named for his significant contributions to the technological development and advancement of the Canadian manufacturing industry.

Hasenfratz, a Hungarian immigrant, started his machining business, Linamar Corporation, over 40 years ago in the basement of his home in Ariss, Ontario.

Since then he has developed the business into a diversified, world class company manufacturing a variety of components, modules and systems for the automotive industry. Today Linamar has over 11,000 employees, over 7,000 of them based in Canada.

Hasenfratz is now chairman of the board of Linamar Corporation and his daughter Linda is the company's chief executive officer.

"I had a dream many years ago to have a small machine shop with a few employees, it didn't turn out that way for me," He said. "I'm pleased to receive this recognition for my dedication to Canadian Manufacturing and to be inducted into the Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame."

The Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame will host a dinner in October to officially induct Hasenfratz into the Hall of Fame, and celebrate his achievements in Canadian manufacturing.

Established in 2006, the Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame announced its first inductees last year. Located at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, the Hall of Fame will initially be housed in the Ford Centre for Excellence in Manufacturing at the Windsor campus.