Business Roundup: Tel Aviv University Turns 70, Zoglbek CEO Steps Down

Tel Aviv University celebrated its 70th anniversary and a decade of its alumni organization with a major gala event attended by leading figures from the business sector. The celebration featured 70 scholarships awarded to student reservists through the "70 for 70" initiative.

In business news, Zoglbek CEO Ron Ackerman is stepping down after six years in the role and 16 years overall at the meat product company. Ackerman navigated the firm through the complex COVID-19 pandemic and the challenging wartime period, during which the Shlomi factory near the Lebanese border operated under rocket attacks. In August 2025, AP Partners acquired a controlling stake in the company at a valuation of 450 million shekels.

Automotive and Real Estate Updates

AutoDepot, part of the Multi Retail Group, is expanding its operations by launching a concept store at the Hutzot HaMifratz shopping center with an investment of 5 million shekels. The 1,100-square-meter store is designed as a racetrack and includes professional garage service stations.

Meanwhile, Kardan Real Estate held an investor conference at the Island Bat Yam construction site, featuring institutional representatives. CEO Amos Dabush warned about the sharp drop in state land marketing, pointing out that only about 20,000 land plots have been marketed since the beginning of the year compared to around 100,000 last year.

"There is a significant gap that could have major consequences for the housing market in the short and medium term," warned CEO Amos Dabush during the conference.

Industry Highlights

• Zoglbek Leadership Transition: The company will initiate a process to select a new CEO, with Ackerman remaining in his position during the upcoming months to ensure a smooth handover.

• Kardan Real Estate Portfolio: The company currently has 1,330 housing units under construction, is involved in building approximately 28,000 units, and expects a gross profit of about 2.8 billion shekels from projects through 2029.

• XM Cyber Sale: The cybersecurity firm, founded by former Mossad officials, was sold for 600 million dollars, several years after its previous acquisition by a German company for 700 million dollars.