Frank Hasenfratz was born on 1935 in Guelph, Canada, Canada. Frank Hasenfratz founded Canadian auto parts manufacturer Linamar in 1966. A Hungarian refugee, he fled his native country after the Soviet Union invaded in 1956. Hasenfratz attended trade and engineering schools while working as a toolmaker. He started Linamar in his basement in 1964 and named it after his two daughters, Linda and Nancy, and wife, Margaret. Today Linamar is one of Canada's largest auto parts makers, employing 19,000 across 45 plants. Hasenfratz remains its chairman while daughter Linda runs the Ontario-based company.
Frank Hasenfratz is a member of Automotive
Some Frank Hasenfratz images
Biography/Timeline
1935
Born in 1935 in Szár, Hungary. He left Hungary in May 1957 and arrived in Quebec City after the failed Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
1964
He started a one-man machine shop in his basement in 1964, and then incorporated in 1966 under the name Linamar after his two daughters Linda (current Linamar CEO), Nancy and his wife Margaret.