Event · Organization Founding
Founding of Forest City Enterprises
The four Ratner brothers merged their businesses and established Forest City Enterprises in 1929.
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... When the other members of the Ratner family
came to the United States in 1921, they immediately
settled in Cleveland. One of their cousins, George Sogg,
had a lumber business. Max Ratner’s two brothers,
Charles and Leonard (Lazar), went to work for their
cousin. Later on, Leonard opened a grocery store and
Charles a lumber yard. Meir, later known as Max
Ratner, assisted Charles and at the same time went to
school, graduating as an attorney in 1929. After finish-
ing his studies, Max became Charles’ partner in the
wood business. Leonard sold his grocery and founded
his own lumber company. In 1929, the four Ratner
brothers merged their businesses and_ established
‘‘Forest City Enterprises.’’ This firm became very suc-
cessful. Max Ratner was selected president of Forest
City Enterprises in 1929, and more recently has served
as chairman of the Board of Directors. His nephew,
Albert, Leonard’s son, is currently president. ...Connected nodes