Charles Avnet
Charles Avnet | |
---|---|
Born | 1888 |
Died | 1979 (aged 90–91) |
Known for | Founder of Avnet |
Spouse | Celia Avnet |
Children | Lester Francis Avnet Norman Avnet Robert Avnet Lillian Avnet Marks |
Family | Jon Avnet (grandson) |
Charles Avnet (1888–1979) was an American businessman who founded electronics parts distributor Avnet.
Biography
Avnet was born to a Jewish family in 1888 in Russia.[1][2][3]
In 1921,[4] Avnet began buying surplus ham radio parts and selling them to the public on Radio Row in the lower Manhattan[1] capitalizing on the end of the World War I era ban on the trade of radio parts in 1918.[2] He had $85,000 in sales in his first year.[1] With the advent of commercial radio broadcasting and factory-made radios (which did not require parts), he adjusted his distribution pipeline and began selling parts to manufacturers and dealers.[2] In 1929, he diversified by branching out into car antenna kits and automobile assembly kits. During the Great Depression, he shifted the focus from retailing to wholesaling.[2] During World War II, sales to the private sector were banned, so Avnet shifted to government sales[4] with an emphasis on connectors.[2] After the war, the market was flooded with war surplus components and Avnet flourished incorporating as Avnet Electronics Supply Co Inc in 1955 reaching $1 million in sales.[4] In 1959, the company went public as Avnet Electronics Corporation.[4]
Personal life
He was married to Celia Avnet.[3] They had four children: Lester Francis Avnet, Dr. Norman Avnet, Robert Avnet, and Lillian Marks.[5][6] He died in 1979; services were held at Congregation Beth Sholom in Long Beach.[3] His grandson (son of Lester) is director, writer and producer Jon Avnet.[7]
References
- ^ a b c Hall, Thomas; Wally, Bock (May 12, 2010). Ruthless Focus. ISBN 9781608446384.
- ^ a b c d e "Charles Avnet and the Golden Age of Radio" (PDF). Avnet. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
- ^ a b c New York Times: "AVNET‐Charles‐Beloved husband of Celia. Devoted father of Lillian Marks, Dr. Norman Avnet and the late Lester and Robert Avnet" December 26, 1979
- ^ a b c d Bodine, Paul (February 2, 2004). Make It New: Essays in the History of American Business. pp. 34–36. ISBN 9780595309214.
- ^ New York Times: "AVNET—Robert" July 31, 1964
- ^ Berkshire Eagle: "NORMAN L. AVNET" January 22, 2017
- ^ New York Times: "Joan Avnet, Dealer, Collector and Donor Of Art, Is Dead at 80" By RITA REIF January 15, 1994