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.