The ISCAR Story: 1952 to Today
A Visionary Start
Welcome to ISCAR. Our journey began in 1952, not in a high-tech factory, but in a small wooden shed in Stef Wertheimer’s backyard. At a time when giants dominated the industry, Stef had a simple but revolutionary vision: to create more efficient carbide tools that could transform industrial productivity.
Becoming a Global Powerhouse
In the 1980s, under the leadership of Eitan Wertheimer, we evolved from a local success into a global powerhouse. This era saw the birth of the IMC Group—International Metalworking Companies. Today, this network includes over 130 subsidiaries across 60 countries, ensuring we are always close to our customers.
Interactive History Timeline
Explore the defining moments of our growth. Click each year to see how we moved from that small shed to becoming a global leader. In 1982, we moved to the Tefen Industrial Park. This remains our global headquarters and a symbol of our commitment to industrial excellence. 2006 was a historic turning point. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway acquired 80% of IMC, marking their first-ever acquisition of a company outside the US. Today, we are a fully-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, serving critical sectors like aerospace, automotive, and medical manufacturing.
Takeaways & Definitions
Before we move to a practical scenario, let's review the foundations of the ISCAR story. Our history is one of rapid innovation backed by world-class financial stability.
The Buffett Seal of Approval
Imagine you are explaining ISCAR to a new customer. They ask why our relationship with Berkshire Hathaway matters to them. How would you explain the benefit of this partnership for our customers?
Representing the Heritage
To represent ISCAR effectively, you must balance our massive scale with our founding spirit. Select the action that best reflects our 'Entrepreneurial Spirit' in a global company. Not quite. While process is important, ISCAR thrives on avoiding the slow-moving bureaucracy often found in large firms. Exactly. Even as a multi-billion dollar leader, we value agility and quick decision-making, just like in that 1952 workshop.