Anton Frederik Philips (14 March 1874 – 7 October 1951) was a Dutch businessman. He is one of the co-founders of the Royal Philips Electronics N.V. in 1912 with his older brother Gerard Philips in Eindhoven, Netherlands. His father and Gerard had founded the Philips Company in 1891 as a family business and Anton was chief executive officer from 1922 to 1939.
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Early life and education
Born to a Dutch family, Anton was the second son to Maria Heyligers (1836 – 1921) and Benjamin Frederik David Philips (1 December 1830 – 12 June 1900). His father was active in the tobacco business and a banker at Zaltbommel in the Netherlands (he was also a first cousin to Karl Marx). Anton had an elder brother, Gerard Philips.
Career
In May 1891 the father Frederik was the financier and, with his son Gerard Philips, co-founder of the Philips Company as a family business. In 1912 Anton joined the firm, which they renamed Philips Gloeilampenfabriek N.V. ("Philips Lightbulb Factory")
During World War I, Anton Philips managed to increase sales by taking advantage of a boycott of German goods in several countries. He provided the markets with alternative products.