Max Fabian (center), a resident of Niles, Ill., celebrates his 105th birthday with Lesley and Jim Anixter of A-Z Wire and Cable.
Ewweb 668 Max Fabian Az Turns 104595
Ewweb 668 Max Fabian Az Turns 104595
Ewweb 668 Max Fabian Az Turns 104595
Ewweb 668 Max Fabian Az Turns 104595
Ewweb 668 Max Fabian Az Turns 104595

Max Fabian of A-Z Industries celebrates 105th birthday

March 11, 2014
Max went to work for the Anixter family in 1958 as an administrative assistant and warehouse traffic manager for the fledging Anixter Bros. Inc. new electrical wire and cable distribution center in Evanston, Ill. After 30 years with Anixter Bros., and after the company was sold to Sam Zell in 1988, he joined Jim Anixter's new wire and cable distribution company, A-Z Wire and Cable in Northbrook, Ill., at the age of 79. He remained with A-Z until he retired in 2012 at the age of 103.

A wise man once said the wire and cable industry was like Devil’s Island… You may change cells once in a while but you never leave it.

It sure sounds like Max Fabian has had a most enjoyable stay in the wire and cable business during his 54 years with A-Z Wire and Cable and Anixter Brothers. This past Sunday he celebrated his 105th birthday with Lesley and Jim Anixter of A-Z Wire and Cable at Northmoor Country Club in Highland Park, Ill., where the Anixters hosted a supper for 30 friends and business associates of Fabian's.

Max went to work for the Anixter family in 1958 as an administrative assistant and warehouse traffic manager for the fledging Anixter Bros. Inc. new electrical wire and cable distribution center in Evanston, Ill. After 30 years with Anixter Bros., and after the company was sold to Sam Zell in 1988, he joined Jim Anixter's new wire and cable distribution company, A-Z Wire and Cable in Northbrook, Ill., at the age of 79. He remained with A-Z until he retired in 2012 at the age of 103.

 Jim Anixter, who was in grammar school when his dad and uncle, Alan and Bill Anixter, hired Fabian, says he considers Max a member of the family and says he and his wife always invite him to their home and to family celebrations and events.