Mort Harris, philanthropist and American Axle co-founder, dies at 101
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Mort Harris, who co-founded auto industry supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. and earned renown for his philanthropy, has died at 101.
The former industrialist, entrepreneur and former Detroit News Michiganian of the Year died Wednesday, according to a statement from Northwood University.
“Mort was a great man and a special person that meant so much to so many," American Axle Chairman and CEO David Dauch said in a statement Friday. "He certainly had a strong and positive influence on all that knew him."
The company launched when Richard Dauch, a former Chrysler executive vice president in worldwide manufacturing, formed a small investment team with Harris to buy what was known as the Final Drive and Forge Business Unit — which had five facilities in the U.S. — from General Motors, according to American Axle's website.