Frits Philips
Frederik Jacques "Frits" Philips, the fourth chairman of the Dutch electronics company Philips, was born in Eindhoven in 1905 as the only son of Anton Philips, a co-founder of the firm. He studied mechanical engineering at Delft University of Technology, earning his degree in 1929. That same year, he married Sylvia van Lennep, with whom he would have seven children. In 1934, he became involved with the Oxford Group, a Christian movement that later evolved into Moral Re-Armament, which remained a lifelong influence on him and his wife. He joined the Philips board as vice-director in 1935. When Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940, his father and other family members fled to the United States with company assets, but Frits chose to stay. During the occupation, he was imprisoned for several months in the Vught concentration camp following a factory strike. He saved 382 Jews by persuading the Nazis that their work at Philips was essential to production, an act for which Yad Vashem recognized him as a Righteous Among the Nations in 1996. He became company president in 1961, serving for a decade. An aviation pioneer, he established the Philips flight department with a Beechcraft and later helped found the International Business Aviation Association (Europe), which grew into the European Business Aviation Association. He also played a key role in developing Eindhoven Airport’s civilian terminal. Deeply popular in Eindhoven, he was known as "Meneer Frits" and treated workers and executives alike. His 100th birthday in 2005 was celebrated by renaming the city "Frits Philips Stad" and minting a commemorative coin. He died later that year from complications of a fall.
- field
- Business, Aviation, Philanthropy
- nationality
- Dutch
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Frits Philips was the fourth chairman of the board of Philips, the Dutch electronics company co-founded by his father and uncle. He was born in Eindhoven, the only son of Anton Philips and Anne Henriëtte Elisabeth Maria de Jongh; his father was of Dutch Jewish origin. Philips studied mechanical engineering at Delft University of Technology, earning his degree in 1929. That same year, he married Sylvia, Jonkvrouw van Lennep, with whom he had seven children. In 1934, he was introduced to the Oxford Group, a Christian movement that became a lifelong inspiration for him and his wife. He became vice-director and a board member of Philips in 1935. During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in World War II, while his father and other family members fled to the United States with company capital, Philips remained in the country. He was held in the Vught concentration camp from May to September 1943 due to a strike at the Philips factory. During the occupation, he saved 382 Jews by convincing the Nazis they were essential to production, earning recognition as Righteous Among the Nations from Yad Vashem in 1996. He served as company president from 1961 to 1971. Known in Eindhoven as “Meneer Frits,” he was immensely popular for his lack of class distinction and frequent chats with factory workers. He also established the Philips flight department and later helped found the International Business Aviation Association (Europe) in 1977, which grew into the European Business Aviation Association. He was instrumental in building the civilian terminal at Eindhoven Airport. He died at age 100 from complications of a fall.
Reader's Guide
Frits Philips’ significance stems from his dual role as an industrial leader and a humanitarian. As the fourth chairman of the board of the Dutch electronics company Philips, he guided the firm through the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. While his father and other family members fled to the United States, Philips remained and, together with others, kept the company operational. He was imprisoned in the Vught concentration camp for several months in 1943 due to a strike at the Philips factory. During the occupation, he saved 382 Jews by convincing the Nazis that these individuals were essential to the company’s production. For these actions, Yad Vashem recognized him in 1996 as a Righteous Among the Nations. After the war, he became president of Philips in 1961, serving for a decade. He also pioneered corporate aviation in Europe, establishing a company flight department and founding the International Business Aviation Association (Europe) in 1977, which later became the European Business Aviation Association. Additionally, he was instrumental in developing the civilian terminal at Eindhoven Airport. Deeply popular in Eindhoven, he was affectionately called “Meneer Frits” and was known for bridging class divides, often speaking with factory workers. His hundredth birthday in 2005 was celebrated by renaming the city Frits Philips Stad and minting a commemorative coin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Frits Philips's role at Philips?
He held the position of fourth chairman of the board of directors at the Dutch electronics giant Philips, guiding the company through a critical stretch of the twentieth century. His leadership came after the founding generation that had built the brand from the ground up.
What is the Caux Round Table and how is it connected to Frits Philips?
The Caux Round Table is an international forum where senior business leaders convene to debate corporate responsibility, ethics, and sustainable practices. Frits Philips founded the organization, extending his influence well beyond Philips into the wider world of business ethics and philanthropy.
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