1. *Wal-Mart Stores1
The Walton family, USA
The world's largest supermarket chain (about 4400). More sales than Sears, Kmart and J.C. Penney combined.
Founded: 1962, founder Sam Walton.
The family owns 38% of the shares, the chairman of the board of directors is the son of the founder, Robson Walton.
Profit: $217.8 billion
Employees: 1.38 million
2. *Ford Motor Co.
Ford family, USA
Automotive.
The company was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, who relied on the mass production of cheap cars.
A controlling stake in 1999 was acquired by Volvo Cars, in the hands of the family (fourth generation) about 40% of ordinary voting shares.
Profit: $162.4 billion
Employees: 354431
3. *Samsung Group
Lee family, South Korea
South Korea's largest family conglomerate
Electronics (electrical equipment, Cell phones, computer memory, etc.).
The group was founded in 1938, the largest division is Samsung Electronics.
Profit: $98.7 billion
Employees: 175,000
4. LG Group (formerly Lucky Goldstar)
Ko family, South Korea
Electronics, energy, telecommunications, chemical industry, Banking services.
It is one of the five largest conglomerates in South Korea.
LG Chemical is the largest manufacturer of chemicals in South Korea, LG Electronics is one of the leading manufacturers of household appliances.
Profit: $81 billion
Employees: 130000
5. *Carrefour Group
The Deffort family, France
The largest European supermarket chain (represented in 25 countries). The name of the company literally means "crossroads". The controlling stake is jointly owned by about 60 family members.
Profit: $61.6 billion
Employees: 382821
6-7. *Ifi Istituto Finanziario Industriale S.p.A.
and *Fiat Group
Two places in a row in the list of family businesses belong to the Agnelli family (Italy), the profit of each company is $59.2 and $54.7 billion respectively, the number of employees in each is approximately 198 thousand.
The family holding company holds 20% of Fiat and 50% of Finanziaria di Partecipazioni (Ifil), which in turn owns another 12% of Fiat.
In addition to the production of the famous Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati, the family business is engaged in retail, equipment for construction, publishing, insurance, as well as a number of other areas.
Giovanni Agnelli (third generation) continues to be the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fiat; the death in 1998 of Agnelli's nephew and heir presumptive calls into question the continued management of the family.
8 Cargill Inc.
The Cargill/Macmillan family, USA
Year of foundation: 1865, founder - William Cargill.
Profit: $50.8 billion
Employees: 97000
The largest family business in the world, whose shares have never been put up for sale. The history of the company began with two enterprising brothers who, before the Civil War, traded grain elevators, and after it significantly expanded their range.
Now in its fourth and fifth generations, the company is now the world's largest trading company in grain, poultry, beef, steel and salt. Until recently, the main "family office" was located in a 63-room country French-style mansion.
Today, the family owns 85% of the shares, the rest belongs to key employees. It is also famous for being one of the first (since the mid-1930s) to introduce personnel training programs.
9. *PSA Peugeot Citroen S.A.
Peugeot family, France
Second car sales company in France (after Renault) and second in Europe (after Volkswagen). The family holds 37% of the voting shares.
Profit: $45.8 billion
Employees: 192500
10. Koch Industries
The Koch family, USA
The main directions are oil, gas, agriculture.
The company was founded in 1918 by Fred Koch. The firm is notorious for protracted family wars between second and third generation brothers.
Profit: $40 billion
Employees: 11500
11. *BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG)
Kundt family, Germany
One of the largest auto exporters in Europe. The famous BMW accounts for only about 60% of the concern's profits, the rest is sales of motorcycles and software products. In the hands of the widow Kundt 47% of the shares; there are rumors about the sale of family shares.
Profit: $34.1 billion
Employees: 97275
12. SCH (Banco Santander Central Hispano S.A.)
The Botin family, Spain
Emilio Botín inherited from his father a small bank in the province and built on its basis the largest banking group in Spain. The group is represented in Europe, Chile and Mexico. Emilio's 41-year-old daughter was elected chairman of the board of Banesto Bank in 2001, which has been the family's first family bank since 1857.
Profit: $32.7 billion
Employees: 114927
13. Robert Bosch GmbH
Bosch family, Germany
Bosch is one of the leading manufacturers of auto parts in Europe, and also produces tools and equipment.
98% of the shares are owned by the Bosch Foundation, and only 8% are held directly by family members.
Profit: $30.143 billion
Employees: 218377
14. *Motorola
The Galvin family, USA
After founding his company in 1928, Paul Galvin initially sold car radios; his son Bob moved from television production to high-tech electronic equipment. Since 1997, the company has been run by grandson Christopher, who is now in his 50s.
Profit: $30.004 billion
Employees: 111000
15. ALDI Group
Albrecht family, Germany
The largest grocery supermarket chain in Europe (3100 stores in Germany and another 600 in the USA).
The founders are the brothers Theo and Karl Albrecht (they are the owners to this day), Theo's two sons command the European division.
Profit: $30 billion
16. *Pinault-Printemps Redoute
Pinault family, France
Retail and catalog trade (Printemps, Fnac, Conforama, Redoute). The company owns a 53% stake in the Gucci Group and several perfume lines (including Yves Saint Laurent).
The family owns 45% of preferred and 59% of common shares of the company through the holding company Artemis.
Profit: $24.6 billion
Employees: 107571
17. *J Sainsbury
The Sainsbury family, UK
The second largest food supermarket chain in the UK (after Tesco), Sainsbury has over 600 stores and a bank of the same name. After the death of the founding father (Sir Robert Sainsbury) in 1999, 37% of the shares passed to his son and his family, but the son left the management of the company a year earlier, in 1998.
Profit: $24.5 billion
Employees: 174700
18. *Viacom
The Redstone family, USA
One of the largest media companies in the world (television, radio, Internet).
Michael Redstone began his business in 1954 with the organization of a drive-in theater (a platform where viewers watch movies from their cars). Today, the company owns BET (Black Entertainment Television), CBS, Paramount Pictures, United Paramount Network (UPN), MTV Networks (MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon), Showtime Networks and Comedy Central (50%), as well as 39 TV channels, publishing house Simon & Schuster, and 82% of Blockbuster (the largest videotape rental network in the United States).
The son (who is also the head of the company) owns 68%, and his 48-year-old daughter today heads the National Amusements cinema chain, from which the glorious history of the company began.
Profit: $23.2 billion
Employees: 122770
19. Auchan
Muyet family, France
One of the largest retail chains. In addition to 280 supermarkets in Europe (several supermarkets have already opened in Moscow), the family conglomerate opens small specialized stores, of which there are already more than 640.
More than 350 family members work in the business. The founder of the company, Papa Muyet, encourages the business initiative of his numerous relatives: with Papa's money, one of them has already promoted the postal service, the other is very successful in selling goods through catalogs. Today, the family owns 84% of Auchan, the rest is owned by employees.
Profit: $23.196 billion
Employees: 136000
20 Tengelmann Group
Haub family, Germany
The current head of the firm, Erivan K. Haub, and his family have inherited 100% of Germany's fourth largest distribution network. Today, the network has 7,300 supermarkets, clothing stores and pharmacies. The Tengelmann Group was the first in Germany to build "American style" stores. The group owns 54% of the American retail chain A&P.
Profit: $22.6 billion
Employees: 186000
21. *Ito-Yokado
Itoh family, Japan
In 1974, Masatoshi Ito opened the first convenience store in Japan. The idea of late-night shops turned out to be money-making. The 7-Eleven ("from seven to eleven") network today has about 9,000 stores in Japan and 5,800 in North America.
Today, the Ito family owns 15% of Ito-Yokado, and Masatoshi Ito serves as honorary chairman of the board of directors.
Profit: $22.4 billion
Employees: 106911
22. *Loew's
Tisch family, USA
The interests of the family are diverse: two brothers, Lawrence and Preston (Bob) Tisch, started in 1919 with real estate trading, in 1959 they acquired a controlling stake in Loew's Theaters, later invested in tobacco production, insurance, oil, hotels,
TV. The family today has about 30%, and the second generation shows an enviable business activity: James (Larry's son) became director in 1999, and his brother Andrew and Bob's son Jonathan shared the presidency of the company.
23. *Novartis Group
Landolt family, Switzerland
It is one of the five largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
Profit: $19.3 billion
The Landolt family today has only 4%.
24. *Bouygues
Bouygues family, France
One of the largest construction companies in Europe. The company has more than 40 subsidiaries operating in 80 countries around the world. Chairman of the Board of Directors Martin and his brother Olivier indirectly control about 22% of the company.
Profit: $18.1 billion
Employees: 125000
25. *Hyundai Motor
Chung family, South Korea
The original Hyundai (meaning "current") conglomerate was broken up into five companies by the Korean government in an effort to reduce the role of the Chung family. Hyundai Motor Company (cars) is considered to be fully autonomous. Chung Yu Jung, founder of the conglomerate, died in 2001.
Profit: $17 billion
Employees: 50000
26. Mars
Mars family, USA
Founded in 1923, the company began to flourish when Minnesota confectioners Frank and Ethel Mars invented the Milky Way. Their son Forrest could not find common language with his parents and even founded his own confectionery company from England. In 1964, a merger was carried out, and since 1973, the three children of Forrest actually began to manage the company. Forrest himself died in 1999 at the age of 95, and Mars is second only to Hershey in the American sweet market.
Profit: $16.5 billion
Employees: 30000
27. *News Corp
Murdoch family, Australia
Respected journalist Sir Keith Murdoch created the largest media company in Australia in his lifetime; however, his son Rupert managed to “surpass” him too, creating on the basis of the business inherited in 1952 the fourth largest media empire in the world (the first three, respectively, are Time Warner, Viacom and Disney). Today, under the roof of News Corp. television channels (Fox Broadcasting), film companies (20th Century Fox), newspapers (London Times, New York Post), magazines (Weekly Standard), publishing houses (HarperCollins) and even the Los Angeles Dodgers sports team are combined.
Rupert, who is in his 70s, is still in business, and his heir presumptive is in his 30s. The family has 31% of all shares and 40% of the voting power.
Profit: $16.3 billion
Employees: 30000
28. Otto Group
Otto family, Germany
"Mail order" is what the Otto family has always been doing most successfully of all, vigilantly following fashion and market trends. They were the first in their field to accept orders via the Internet, as well as sell groceries via the Internet with same-day delivery. The family owns 65% of the German Otto Versand, they also own the American Spiegel catalogs.
Profit: $15.6 billion
Employees: 75962
29. Publix Super Markets
The Jenkins family, USA
Founder George Washington Jenkins, dreaming of getting into real estate, hitchhiked from Georgia to Florida. But as a result, he got a job at the Piggly Wiggly chain store and even rose to the position of senior manager. After a falling out with the owner, a frustrated George opens a rival shop. A network of 700 stores is gradually being built. Now the company is run by the son of George Howard. 27% of the company's shares are owned by its employees.
Profit: $15.4 billion
Employees: 126000
30. *Weyerhaeuser Co.
Weyerhäuser family, USA
One of the largest timber producers. Founded in 1900, family-controlled for the fourth generation.
Profit: $14.5 billion
Employees: 44800
Hayakawa (Japan), 705
Japanese hotel (onsen) at the hot spring. Engraving by Toyohara Chikanobu. 1890sThe Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
General view of the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan Hotel today© pop-picture.blogspot.com
The private outdoor bath at the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan Hotel today© Keiunkan Inn
One of the baths at the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan Hotel with hot spring water today© pop-picture.blogspot.com
Until 2011, the oldest hotel in the world (and the oldest company in general) was considered a Japanese traditional ryokan hotel Ryokan- a type of inn, and later a hotel, which is distinguished by simple rooms with tatami mats instead of beds and the presence of a hot spring, in which there is a bath for guests."Hoshi". It was opened in the city of Ko-matsu in 717 and for 13 centuries offered visitors accommodation near the hot springs. The title of the oldest was awarded to him in 1994 by the Guinness Book of Records, after which "Khosi" even joined the so-called "Enoch" club. Enoch Club- an unofficial organization that arose in France in 1981 and received its name in honor of the Old Testament patriarch Enoch, who lived, according to the Bible, for 365 years., uniting companies that are over 200 years old. However, in 2011, the representatives of the Gin-ne-ss Book of Records reconsidered their decision and gave the title of the oldest hotel to the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan ryokan (“Ni-shiyama onsen keiunkan”) in the village of Haya-kawa in the central part of Japan. Owned by the 53rd generation of the same family since its founding in 705, this hotel is still a classic ryokan offering traditional service and furnishings, as well as hot spring baths.
oldest bank
Siena (Italy), 1477
The finances of the municipality in peacetime and in war time. Painting by Benvenuto di Giovanni. 1468Archivio di Stato di Siena, Museo delle tavolette di Biccherna / Wikimedia Commons
The main entrance of Palazzo Salimbeni, where the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank is located. 2006© Vyacheslav Argenberg / CC BY 2.0
The Monte dei Paschi di Siena Bank ("Monte dei Paschi di Siena") was founded in 1477. This is almost 120 years earlier than its closest neighbor on the list of the world's oldest banks, the German Berenberg. The bank was founded in the Republic of Siena, an Italian city-state that existed in the 12th-16th centuries and was considered one of the largest financial centers of the Italian lands. Banking there developed rapidly from the 12th century, and the banking houses of the city operated throughout Western Europe, lending to the Vatican, the Holy Roman Emperors and the royal court of France. The Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank was created already at the end of the Republic of Siena and at first functioned as monte di pieta- so in medieval Italy they called a special “charitable” pawnshop, where a person could take money, leaving property as collateral covering a third of the loan. If the borrower did not repay the funds on time, only this part of his property was sold at the auction and no other measures were taken. For a long time, the church supported such monte di pieta: it did not approve of growth and encouraged financial assistance to the poor. However, by the 17th century, Monte dei Paschi di Siena had become a full-fledged bank, after which it was reorganized many times. It now has branches in 20 Italian cities and is known, among other things, for its extensive collection of Italian paintings, which has been collected throughout the history of the bank.
The oldest pharmacy
Tallinn (Estonia), ca. 1420
Town Hall Pharmacy. Tallinn, 1966© Roman Valdre / Kultuurimälestiste riiklik register
Interior of the Town Hall Pharmacy. Tallinn, 2011© Tom Wright / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Medicines in the Town Hall Pharmacy. Tallinn, 2013 Wikimedia Commons
Town Hall Pharmacy. Tallinn, 2008 Wikimedia Commons
The Town Hall Pharmacy (Est. Raeapteek) has been located on the Town Hall Square in Tallinn since at least 1422. Over the six centuries of its existence, it has changed dozens of owners, the most famous of whom was a native of the Hungarian lands, Johann Burkhart Belavari de Sekava. As a chemist and doctor, he moved to Tallinn in the 1580s, and in 1583 the city council appointed Burchart the chief apothecary of Tallinn, leasing the Town Hall Pharmacy to him. For more than a hundred years, his descendants rented a pharmacy from the city, and only in 1688 did Johann Burchart IV manage to buy it from the city. Later, the enterprise was inherited until the middle of the 19th century, however, in the 1890s, Johann Burchard X died without leaving a male heir, and his sisters were forced to sell the business in 1911. After that, the pharmacy changed several owners, was owned by the state, and in 2003, after a long reconstruction, it reopened in its original place.
The oldest watchmakers
Geneva (Switzerland), 1466
Halle Watch Factory. Switzerland. 1900s galletwatch.com
Watchmakers La Chaux-de-Fonds at work. Late 19th century Wikimedia Commons
Little is known about Humbertus Gallet, considered the founder of Gallet & Co. In 1466, he received the right to live in Geneva, where he took up watchmaking, which he later passed on to his son. Several generations of the Galle family were engaged in the manufacture of watches, and in 1826 a direct descendant of Humbertus Galle, Julien Galle, officially registered a trademark and moved the enterprise from Geneva to the Swiss city of La Chaux-de-Fonds, known today as a city-factory for the production of watches, where about a third of the able-bodied population is employed in the watch industry. sti. Thanks to this circumstance, La Chaux-de-Fonds even ended up in Marx's Capital, where he analyzed the division of labor in the watch factories of the city. WITH late XIX century Gallet & Co. began to consider the United States as the main market for its products. The most famous model of the factory, the Flying Officer Chronograph, was created in 1939 by order of Harry Truman (then Senator from Missouri) for combat pilots: one of its features was a rotating dial with city names, which allowed pilots to easily calculate the change of time zones. Truman himself, who became President of the United States in 1945, also wore this watch; they are now in his museum.
oldest newspaper
Stockholm (Sweden), 1645
Issue of the newspaper "Regular Post News", No. 15, for April 9, 1645flickr.com/elcromaticom/CC BY 2.0
Two editions of Post- och Inrikes Tidningar - 1835 and 2006Centro de Documentacion Publicitaria
The newspaper Ordinari Post Tijdender (that is, "Regular Postal News") was founded by order of the Swedish Queen Christina in 1645 - nine years after the creation of the Royal Post Office, which also exists to this day. At first, the newspaper was the main supplier of news in Sweden, and the collection of this news was largely entrusted to local postmasters, who were instructed to collect all the news that fell into their field of attention and pass them on to the editor. The distribution of the newspaper was carried out by all the same post offices: they were obliged to post fresh numbers in public places. In 1821, the newspaper was merged with the Swedish Inrikes Tidningar ("Local news"), giving a new edition - Post- och Inrikes Tidningar ("Post and local news"). After that, the newspaper experienced two more important events: in 1922, unable to withstand competition from commercial newspapers, it began to publish only state decrees and court decisions, and since 2007 it has been published only in electronic form.
The oldest shipbuilders
Heraklion (Greece), 1438
Boat stop in Chioggia fish market. Venice, 1890–1900s Library of Congress
Building a Camuffo boat today bisiacivan.blogspot.com
Camuffo, the oldest operating shipbuilding company, was founded in 1438 on the island of Crete, which then belonged to the Venetian Republic. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the strengthening of the Ottoman Empire in the Aegean, the son of the founder transferred the production of ships to the Italian Chioggia near Venice. At that time, this city was the largest trading port in the Adriatic Sea, and Camuffo craftsmen provided themselves with orders for the construction of fishing boats, barges, pleasure, merchant and transport boats in the Venetian style for several hundred years. At the moment, the company, which was owned by 18 generations of the same family, produces only three models of motor yachts from 18 to 20 meters in length. Until now, many valuable species of wood are used in their manufacture, for which, in the second half of the 20th century, Camuffo received the nickname “Stradivarius on the Sea” from profile magazines, which it uses in its advertising materials.
The oldest carrier
Aberdeen (Scotland), 1498
St. Catherine's Dock. Illustration by Gustave Doré for Douglas Jerrold's London. 1872 The Victorian Web
The Shore Porters Society car in the middle of the 20th century hiveminer.com
The Shore Porters Society of Aberdeen, Scotland, was founded six years after Columbus's first voyage to America, and has not changed its name since. For a long time the company was a simple association of workers in Aberdeen Harbor, but by 1666 it had grown so much that two divisions were created: the department of transportation, which owned horses and carts, and the department of property and warehousing. Until the middle of the 19th century, the Port Loaders Society belonged to the Aberdeen City Council, but then the company became a private partnership, after which its profile changed somewhat ---. Now, in addition to transportation across the UK, services of loaders and home moving services, the company is also engaged in expert transportation of antiques and art objects. Its services are used by both private buyers and auction houses.
The oldest gunsmiths
Gardone (Italy), 1526
Venetian arquebuser. Illustration from Cesare Vecellio's book Ancient and Modern Costumes from Around the World. 16th century greatestbattles.iblogger.org
Beretta gunsmiths. 1880s© Beretta
At the Beretta arms factory. 1960s© Beretta
The history of the Beretta company began in 1526, when the gunsmith Bartolomeo Beretta from the Italian Gardone received an order from Venice for 185 barrels for arch-bouzes - matchlock smoothbore guns. On this, he earned 296 golden Venetian ducats, and the contract that sealed the deal is still kept in the company's archive. Subsequently, in 1571, the gunsmiths again rendered a service to Venice, casting cannons for the Venetian fleet, which took part in the famous battle of Lepanto. Battle in the Ionian Sea between the Holy League Holy League- a coalition of Catholic states, which was created in 1571 at the initiative of Pope Pius V to fight the Ottoman Empire and lasted until 1573. and the Ottoman Empire ended in a crushing defeat of the Turks, and the Venetians showed themselves heroically in it. In the next five centuries, the company, owned by members of the Beret-ta family, developed rapidly. Beretta's current CEO, Hugo Gussalli Beretta, is a direct descendant of founder Bartolomeo Beretta, and one of his two sons is expected to take over the company in the future.
The oldest publishing house
Cambridge (England), 1534
The invention of printing. Engraving by Jan Kollaert I. Late 16th centuryThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cambridge University Press. 1900–1916danielcaruanalupi2.blogspot.com
The publishing house at the University of Cambridge was founded by order of King Henry VIII in 1534: the monarch issued a patent letter to the university for the right to "print all kinds of books." However, the first printed books appeared half a century later - after the scientist Thomas Thomas became the printer of Cambridge. In May 1582, he received a position, and the first book - "Dialectics" by the French philosopher Pierre de la Rama - was published by him in 1585. In 1591, Thomas's follower, John Legate, printed the Cambridge Bible, which began the centuries-old tradition of university publication of the Bible. Since then, Cambridge has annually published dozens and hundreds of books, among some were, for example, the works of John Milton and Isaac Newton, as well as scientific periodicals, monographs, reference books and textbooks in English which are now spreading all over the world. However, it was only in 1992 that the University of Cambridge opened its own store in the historic center of the city, at 1 Trinity Street. It is known that various sellers have been selling books at this very place since 1581, which allows some researchers to consider this store the oldest bookstore in Great Britain.
Zil, meaning "cymbals", and affix dji with the meaning "one who does", to which the Sultan added the suffix "yan" characteristic of Armenian surnames. Shortly after Avedis started making cymbals, Osman II was killed by rebellious Janissaries. After that, for more than two centuries, the descendants of Ziljyan made various percussion musical instruments, including combat kim-shafts, which were beaten to intimidate the enemy. Only in the 19th century did the company completely switch to musical plates, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the descendants of Avedis moved to the USA. Here, in September 1929, a company was registered under its modern name - Avedis Zildjian Company, or simply Zildjian. Since then, she has gained worldwide fame, and in the United States has become a prominent part of the musical culture. During World War II, when copper was considered an important strategic resource and its purchase by companies was limited, the US government issued special permission to Zildjian to purchase raw materials.
The material was prepared with the support of Promsvyazbank, a reliable business partner that plans to exist for centuries.
Comfortable environment for development, assistance in foreign economic activity and bank guarantees give Promsvyazbank clients the opportunity to write their own success story.
Images: Pharmacy. Illustration from the manuscript of Matthew Platearius. Amiens, 1300-1325. british library
It is unusual for many companies to exist for a couple of years. In fact, research shows that even successful businesses last about 50 years before they are disbanded or go out of business. During periods of financial hardship, such as a recession, we may see many stores and businesses go out of business. In such a cycle of events, it seems impossible for a company to exist for more than 100 years. And yet, some succeed.
For most companies, it is easy enough to determine why they have managed to survive all these years. Their "formula for success" is to produce high quality goods or services that have always been in high demand. In some individual cases, it is not entirely clear why the activities of companies last so long. All we know is that every company on this list has been around longer than you might think.
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is known as one of the largest auction houses in the world today, having started as a small book auction by the Englishman Samuel Baker in 1744. That year, the entire contents of the Stanley Library were sold for just over £800. Since then, Sotheby’s
exists and acts as auction house, selling works of art, luxury goods and curiosities at a high price.
Twinings
The British, who love tea so much, are sure that one of the oldest companies in the country is Twinings, which specializes in the production of tea. It all started in a store in 1706. To this day, the company has managed to maintain its location and logo.
Royal Delft
Royal Delft has been successfully operating for over 350 years and was founded in 1653. The company produces high-quality handmade ceramic products, devaluing the mass production of vases. This is the reason why the company has managed to survive for so long, she claims. CEO. The company is famous for making blue and white products famous all over the world, and also has a seal of approval issued by the Dutch royal family.
Shirley Plantation
Shirley Plantation is the oldest family business in the entire US. It started operating in 1638. The plantation survived the American Civil War, the American Revolution, the Great Depression and other significant events of the country. The company has gone through 11 family generations in almost 400 years.
Grolsch
While not the world's greatest brewer, Grolsch has established itself as one of the premier producers of high-quality premium beers. Selling beer in unique caps that can be resealed to keep the beer fresh. Grolsch began producing alcoholic beverages in 1615 and operated for about 250 years before being bought by big company. It currently operates as a subsidiary.
Ziljian
Zildjian might be a brand you're familiar with if you've ever played drums or other percussion instruments. The company is one of the leading drum cymbal manufacturers in the world. Everyone from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones used cymbals in their musical career. Established in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1623, the company moved to the United States, where it gained such popularity.
bushmills
As the oldest distillery in the world, Bushmills has been producing alcoholic beverages since 1608, when King Jayes I authorized Thomas Philip to produce whiskey in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Since then, the distillery has created and produced many whiskeys, including the signature Irish Honey flavor.
Whitechapel Bell factory
Whitechapel Bell has a long history of making high quality bells for VIPs, governments and royalty. He provided his services to Westminster Abbey and produced the famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Which cracked when it rang. The plant operated for about 500 years, starting trading in 1570.
Cambridge University Press
Take an academic book or scientific work, and you will have the opportunity to know that they were published by Cambridge University Press. It is the oldest publishing house in the world, the second largest after Oxford University Press. The publishing house was established in 1534 when King Henry VIII granted a patent to the University of Cambridge to print materials.
Beretta
The Beretta name is sure to be familiar to many people, as it is the manufacturer of a wide range of weapons that you can see in movies, games and TV shows, as well as in the hands of armed personnel in real life. The family company was founded in 1526 and now supplies weapons all over the world thanks to its location among the iron-rich mountains that provide it with all the necessary components.
The Shore Porters Society
Based in Aberdeen, Scotland, The Shore Porters Society has been providing moving, shipping and storage services since 1498. Considered the oldest transport company in the world and operates in various industries industry, helping people move houses and moving valuables from auction houses.
Kremnira Mint
Kremnica Mint has been minting coins for about 800 years. Production began in Slovakia in 1328 when the Hungarian king Charles Robert of Anjou authorized the city to produce florins and ducats for use in Europe. The mint-issued coins had a reputation for being high quality and durable. The Mint continued to operate even after most of its equipment was destroyed by the Nazis during World War II.
Frapin
While many distilleries rely on importing grapes or buying them from producers, Frapin distillery has its own vineyards, meaning it can control the entire cognac-making process. Not surprisingly, it is considered one of the best in the world and has been operating since 1270.
Affligem Abbey Brewery
Affligem Abbey Brewery has been brewing a special kind of beer for about 1000 years. Established in 1074, the Belgian brewery used a special recipe created by the monks who worked in the abbey. It was bought in 2006 by Heineken, although it still operates in the original location and its beer is shipped all over the world.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Since 1044, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Krakow, Poland has been extracting salt from underground and shipping it all over the world. The main reason for the success is the large salt deposits that are under control and the fact that this product is always in demand. Although it no longer operates as a mining company, it has managed to attract many visitors, including the Pope and Bill Clinton.
Weihenstephan Brewery
People have been brewing beer and other beverages for thousands of years, and it's no surprise that some of the oldest companies are still brewing salable beers that can be shipped to the end consumer. The Weihenstephan Brewery in Freising, Germany has been producing one of the most revered beers in the world since 1040.
Sean's Bar
This bar located in Athlone, Ireland is one of the oldest pubs in the world. Created in 900, it provided visitors with beer and other alcoholic drinks over a thousand years. Its owners have contributed to its successful location as it lies at an important crossing of the River Shannon, which once provided a safe passage through treacherous swamps.
Stiftskeller St. Peter
Stiftskeller St. Peter is a restaurant located in Salzburg, Austria. It has hosted royalty and notable figures throughout history, as well as figures such as Bill Clinton and Charlemagne. Considered one of the best restaurants in all of Europe, it first opened its doors back in 803.
Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan
This hotel is located in Yamanashi, Japan and has been operating since 705. The Guinness Book of Records recognizes it as the oldest hotel and of course it is one of the oldest companies still in existence today. The company has gone through 52 generations of families.
Kongo Gumi
Kongo Gumi has been a continuously operating company since 2006. Although not completely disbanded, it was taken over by Takamatsu and currently operates as a subsidiary. Based in Osaka, the firm has been a construction company and has been in business since 578, meaning it has been building temples and other buildings for over 1,400 years.
History of the oldest joint-stock companies is no more than 200 years old, but in many countries there are family firms that have existed for more than 1000 years.
The companies presented in the rating, prepared by the British magazine Family Business, have passed through the centuries, having survived wars, revolutions, changes state borders and continue to work successfully to this day. Most of the old family companies have survived in the UK - British firms make up exactly one fourth of the entire list. In second place in terms of the number of oldest family businesses represented is France (19 firms). It is followed by Italy (17 companies), 12 companies in the list are German. Thus, these four leading Western European countries account for 73 companies out of a hundred on the list.
In general, there are only 13 non-European firms in the rating, and seven of them are Japanese. Of the remaining six, three represent the North American continent (Canadian Molson and Wilson Fuel are in 89th and 90th places, respectively) and Mexican tequila producer Jose Cuervo (in 73rd place). There are no American companies on the list.
South America is represented by a single company - the Chilean farming company Hacienda Los Lingues (ranked 77th), the African continent is also represented by one company - the South African agricultural firm Boplaas (62nd place). And, finally, closes the entire first hundred Australian farming Brucedale Pty. Ltd., founded 202 years ago.
However, it is the "non-Europeans" who top this list. Construction firm Kongo Gumi, founded 1426 years ago, dates back to the time when the Japanese prince Setoku brought members of the Kongo family from Korea to Japan more than fourteen centuries ago to build a Buddhist temple, which, by the way, is still standing.
In second place is the slightly younger company Hoshi, founded 1286 years ago. As they say in the company itself, according to an ancient legend, once upon a time, the god of Mount Hakusan descended to a priest, who ordered him to find an underground hot spring on this mountain. The source was found, and the priest turned to the Hoshi family so that its members would build a resort there, where people could go to be treated on the water. The Hoshi-operated hotel at the source now has 100 rooms that can accommodate 450 patients in need of treatment at any one time.
The Italians dominate the top ten. As many as five companies from this country are included in the top 10 oldest enterprises on the planet. Italian family companies, although less ancient than Japanese ones, are ranked fourth (Barone Ricasole - winemaking, olives), fifth (Barovier & Toso - glassmaking), eighth (Torrini Firenze - jewelry), ninth (Antinori - winemaking, olives) and tenth (Camuffo - shipbuilding) places in the list.
In third place was the French family winery Château de Goulaine, which is no less than 1004 years old. Another French company - Richard de Bas (paper manufacture) - occupies the seventh line of the rating (the year of its foundation is 1326). Finally, in sixth place is the German Hotel Pilgrim Haus, a hotel company founded in 1304 and located in the town of Soest, 160 km north of Frankfurt.
The oldest of the world famous companies is the Italian arms manufacturer Beretta (13th place), whose pistols are popular even in Hollywood - it is from them that super agents shoot in the James Bond movie series.
Credit Suisse (CS) has done a lot of research on the family business. Its result was the ranking of the 900 largest family businesses. The list includes companies whose shares are traded on financial markets and whose capitalization exceeds $1 billion. You can also find companies in which at least 20% of the shares are owned by families.
“In more developed markets, we see more fragmented ownership,” the authors of the CS study emphasize. “Most families sell their shares over time. According to oft-cited statistics from the Family Business Institute, only a third of family businesses go to the second generation of the founding family, 12% to the third, and only 3% to the fourth.”
Some of the companies on the list are controlled by families of more than one generation. Another hallmark of a family business is family problems. The most common phenomenon is civil strife between relatives, which newspapermen describe with pleasure. The list of sins is very long: from giving bribes the right people before collaborating with Hitler.
The following is a list of CS of the 15 families that own the most large enterprises in the world.
15. Gou family
Company - Foxconn
Industry - information technology
Country - Taiwan
Market capitalization - $49 billion
Foxconn's official name is Hon Hai Precision. The company produces electronic parts and components for such giants as Apple, Dell, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, etc. The company was founded by Terry Gou. In 2012, a scandal erupted. The New York Times investigated and concluded that workers at Foxconn factories work in appalling conditions and that they have a high suicide rate.
14. Kwoki family
Company - Sun Hung Kai Properties
Industry - finance
Country - Hong Kong
Market capitalization - 49 billion dollars
The Kwoki brothers are billionaires thanks to construction company created by their late father Kwok Tak Seng. The Kwok family has been involved in a lot of scandals lately. Walter Kwok left the family company last year after a major row with brothers Thomas and Raymond. Later that year, Thomas also resigned as a result of a corruption scandal. He was found guilty of bribing Hong Kong officials. Now the post of chairman of the board of the company is occupied by Raymond. His sons Edward and Adam work in the family firm and hold high positions. The main shareholder is Siu Hing Kwok, mother of Walter, Thomas and Raymond. She reconciled the brothers and in 2008-11 headed the board of the company.
13. McKessons
Company – McKesson
Country: USA
Market capitalization - $55 billion
The company was founded by John McKesson and Charles Olcott in 1833. Today it is one of the largest American companies, a leader in the production and trade of medicines and medical products, as well as in the field of high technology in healthcare. The descendants of the McKessons still own a significant share of the company's shares.
Company - Soft Bank
Industry – telecommunications
Country - Japan
Market capitalization - $72 billion
The founder of the company, Masayoshi Son, is considered the second richest person in Japan thanks to the huge telecommunications company he created in 1981. In addition to its cell phone, internet and e-commerce businesses, SoftBank owns 80% of Sprint and 32% of Alibaba. It is said that Son is about to retire and is preparing a successor for himself.
11. Tata Family
Company - Tata Consultancy Services
Country - India
Market capitalization - 80 billion dollars
Just like most other Tata Group subsidiaries, Tata Consultancy Services is controlled and operated by Tata Sons. Their website says ok. The holding company is 66% owned by charitable foundations controlled by the Tata family. The company was established in 1868 by Jamsetji Tata.
Company - Nike
Durable
Country: USA
Market capitalization - 88.2 billion dollars
Phil Knight - face famous brand Nike since 1964 when he founded the company. In June of this year, Knight announced that in 2016 he was handing over the chairmanship of the board to his son Travis.
9. Kinders
Company - Kinder Morgan
Industry - energy
Country: USA
Market capitalization - $90 billion
After leaving Enron, Richard Kinder founded Kinder Morgan with partners in 1997. Kinder Morgan is the fourth US energy company. Kinder and his wife Nancy are Houston's top philanthropists. They lead charitable foundation Kinder Foundation.
8. Pihey Porsche
Company – Volkswagen
Industry - consumer durables
Country: Germany
Market capitalization - $120 billion
Many members of the Pikhov-Porsche clan own a major stake in Volkswagen through the holding company Porsche Automobile Holding. Their ancestor Ferdinand Porsche founded the Porsche company and was a member of the Nazi Party. Volkswagen built the first car for Adolf Hitler. Now at least five representatives of the family sit on the board of Volkswagen. Volkswagen owns such famous brands like Porsche, Audi and Bentley.
7. Lee family
Company - Samsung Electronics
Industry - information technology
Country - South Korea
Market capitalization - $174 billion
Lee Kun-hee helped his father turn his father's Samsung Group into a transnational giant. He chairs the board of the group's parent company, Samsung Electronics, while his son and intended successor, Jay Lee, is vice chairman. Daughters: Bu-jin and Seo-hyun also hold high positions in the firm. In 2014, the court refused to hear a lawsuit filed by Lee Kun-hee's children who claimed he stole shares from them.
6. Allisons
Company - Oracle
Industry - information technology
Country: USA
Market capitalization - $192 billion
Larry Ellison is still the chairman and chief technology officer of Oracle, which made him America's third-richest person. In September last year, Ellison stepped down as chief executive of the company. Despite the fact that his children, Megan and David, own substantial stakes in the company, it is unlikely that they will succeed him. The Allison Jr. are film producers.
5. Lehmanns, Sikupirs and Telles
Company - Anheuser-Busch InBev
Industry - consumer goods
Country - Belgium
Market capitalization - $197 billion
3G Capital was behind the 2008 merger that created Anheuser-Busch InBev. Now 3G General Manager Jorge Paulo Lehmann is the richest man in Brazil. He is the main shareholder of the brewing company.
His partners, Carlos Sicupira and Marcel German Telles, also own large stakes in the company. Together they own approximately 26% of Anheuser-Busch InBev. Lehmann and Telles are on the board of directors.
4. Zuckerbergs
Company – Facebook
Industry - information technology
Country: USA
Market capitalization - $225 billion
Mark Zuckerberg brought relatives into the Facebook empire. His elder sister Randy worked in the marketing department before starting her own company. In gratitude for the money his father had lent him early on in the company's development, Mark gave him 2 million shares.
3. The Waltons
Company: Walmart
Industry - consumer goods
Country: USA
Market capitalization - 241 billion dollars
The Walton family owns half of the empire through a holding company, Walton Enterprises, according to Thomson Reuters. 50% of the shares is enough for five relatives to be among the richest people on the planet. Brothers Rob and Jim serve on the company's board of directors, along with sister Alice and daughter-in-law Christie. The fortune of all four is estimated at around 35 billion dollars. Cousins Ann Walton Kroenke and Nancy Walton are also billionaires thanks to large stakes in the company. In June, Rob Walton was replaced as Walmart chairman by son-in-law Gregory Penner.
2. Hoffman-Oeri
Company – Roche
Industry – health care, drug production
Country- Switzerland
Market capitalization - $254 billion
Fritz Hoffman and his wife founded a cough syrup company that today produces the best cancer drugs. His heirs still own at least half of the company's shares, according to Bloomberg. There are at least 8 billionaires in the Hoffman-Oeri family, including Andreas Oeri and Andre Hoffman, who sit on the company's board of directors.
1. Sandoz
Company - Novartis
Industry – health care, drug production
Country - Switzerland
Market capitalization - $279 billion
Novartis is one of the largest drug manufacturers. The company originated in 1996 as a result of the merger between Sandoz and Ciba-Geigy. Now the descendants of Edward Sandoz, who founded the company in 1886, own a large stake in Novartis. The Sandoz Family Foundation is the company's largest shareholder, and its president, Pierre Landolt, is on the Novartis board of directors.
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