RATNER, LEONARD (1896-30 Dec. 1974), businessman, Jewish community leader, and philanthropist, was born Leiser Ratowczer in Bialystok, Poland, son of Moses and Pauline (Isonsted) Ratner. He received a Jewish education and entered the weaving trade. He immigrated to the U.S.
The PREMIER FARNELL PLC, was created from the 1996 merger of the Premier Industrial Corp. and the British electronics part distributor Farnell Electronics PLC. The Premier Industrial Corp. was a multimillion-dollar distribution company based in Cleveland, which grew out of the purchase of Premier Automotive Supply by Joseph C., Jack N., and Morton L. Mandel in 1940, with an initial investment of $900.