Remembering Shlomo Shmeltzer z"l, Founder of Shlomo Group

Shlomo Shmeltzer was born in 1947 in Romania. In 1948 his family immigrated to Israel and settled in Haifa. After his military service as an officer, he married Atalia in 1968 and began working in her father's garage. This is the beginning of our wonderful and inspiring journey.

In 1970, Shlomo and Atalia became parents to twins Asi and Ofra 

In 1974, Shlomo initiated the establishment of a long-term car rental company after he decided that his future was not in his father-in-law's garage. A few months later he bought his first cars and leased them to the Ministry of Defense. Who knew that this small business would become the largest automobile group in Israel with a fleet of over 80,000 vehicles? Shlomo knew!

He always aspired to improve, grow, expand, innovate, and excite. Some say he was distinguished in his ability to see the future and the true potential value in each and every company he interacted with.

In 1976, the third child of the Shmeltzer family was born - Tobi.

In the early 1990s, Shlomo expanded his business into areas that included many and varied milestones. 

In 1991 Shlomo expanded his business both in the automotive field and into other ventures. In the automotive field, Shlomo acquired the Skoda car import franchise and becomes a car importer (in 2006 he will sell this franchise).

1994, Shlomo bought the Kontram/Gold Bond company, which operates container terminals, ships cargo, and drydocks. 

1995, Shlomo purchased the "Israel Shipyards", which he then privatized, from the State of Israel.

1996, Shlomo purchased the long-term rental company "Kopel" and changes its name to "New Kopel" which deals in operational leasing in the institutional sector. In addition, Shlomo established the chain of garages and roadside services now used in Shlomo group operations.

2002, The global rental company Sixt grants franchising rights to the Shlomo Group. Shlomo-Sixt is the only brand in the world where Sixt approved the connection of the franchisee's name to the company name.

2003, Shlomo purchases Afcon. The company engages in the design, manufacture, installation, integration, and sale of electromagnetic products and systems, control, software, communication, systems for natural gas and wind energy. Today Afcon is one of the largest industrial groups in Israel.

2004, Shlomo expanded overseas and establishes New Kopel Romania - a company in the field of leasing, renting, and selling cars to the Romanian market.

2007, Shlomo established the real estate arm of the company, S.H.I.R. Shlomo Real Estate.

2008, Shlomo established an insurance company, which deals in elementary insurance through agents and is called Shlomo Insurance.

2008, Shlomo received a license to operate the first private port in Israel Shipyards.

2009, Shlomo purchased Tadiran Telecom, a company for the production of communication and telephony systems.

2010, Shlomo received the concession to import Opel cars to Israel.

2011, The Kiryat Shlomo complex opens in Tzrifin. The complex covers about 15 Acres and includes the company's headquarters, central garage, and an Opel showroom in Israel.

2011, Shlomo Shmelzer received the title of honorary consul from the Romanian government recognizing his impact on the economy back home and abroad.

2013, Shlomo's real estate arm purchased more than 10 hotels in Germany.

2014, The real estate arm launched a new business hotel in Frankfurt, the Wyndham Grand Frankfurt, with 300 rooms.

The Shlomo Group, hailed by many as a stable and strong team, is a cornerstone in the Israeli economy and above all an example and model of smart, responsible, and conscious business conduct.

On July 8th, 2014 Shlomo Shmelzer's life's journey unexpectedly came to an end. His sudden passing left his family, friends, partners, and loved ones shocked and pained. Of his many accomplishments, Shlomo Shmelzer is remembered for his tremendous legacy and vision for years to come. The man who was one of the pillars of the Israeli economy, a charismatic visionary, with enormous abilities in many fields has passed away, but his unprecedented success is still an inspiration to many businessmen, young and old. Vast knowledge, many years of experience, a strong reputation, reliable management, seeing the future, and providing solutions even before they appear - these are only a small part of the values he bequeathed to those around him. Shlomo also knew that a loyal and professional management base that is capable of maintaining loyalty over the years is an important key to success.

Shlomo Schmelzer knew his offspring were capable of upholding his business and being the leaders in his field. By involving his family in the company he was able to train his successors to leverage his achievements and make an unforgettable impact on the company he left behind. For that, we will never forget him. After his death, his wife Atlia and her family worked hard to commemorate him in a number of inspiring ways:

• In 2016 Shlomo group renamed the visitor center located on the wind farm in Ma'ale Gilboa. The wind farm was one of Shlomo's visions that he did not get to see during his lifetime. The wind farms produce electricity from wind energy using 25 huge turbines, which provide renewable and clean electricity. 

• In 2018, the Shlomo Shmeltzer Institute for Smart Transportation was established at Tel Aviv University, which is a multidisciplinary hub that brings together researchers at the university in the fields of artificial intelligence and data science, performance research, and human factors analysis. The institute's purpose is to promote applied research and encourage collaborations, which will contribute to the economy and society of Israel.

• In 2018, Moshavot Street in Petah Tikva was renamed "Derech Shlomo Shmeltzer" in recognition and appreciation of the business titan that put the city of Petah Tikva on the map and contributed greatly to the city's success in the fields of hi-tech and transportation.