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 mass production 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
The largest family conglomerate South Korea
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, construction equipment, 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 making televisions to electronic equipment(high-tech). 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).
In the hands of the family holding company Artemis holds 45% of preferred and 59% of common shares of the company.
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 chain in the US).
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 the fourth largest trading network Germany. 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
Ranked among the top five pharmaceutical companies peace.
Profit: $19.3 billion
The Landolt family today has only 4%.
24. *Bouygues
Bouygues family, France
One of the largest construction firms 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 a 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 take orders via the Internet, as well as sell via the Internet. foodstuffs with delivery on the same day. 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
Business that is 1000 years old: Top 10 companies that have been around for over a thousand years
Imagine that your business will last for hundreds of years. Your great-grandchildren will continue the work that you started and will increase the wealth and joy in our world. How to achieve this? What is the key to long-term success not within one human life, but over the centuries?
The modern world is challenging business: average term life of companies is steadily falling. The percentage of public companies that have left the market has grown to 10% annually, although 50 years ago this figure was 4 times less.
On average, a company now lives 12 years, and a Fortune 500 member lives 40-50 years. Business mortality is only increasing. It's helped economic crises, unpredictable policy of the authorities, fraudulent attacks and bleeding war with competitors.
Mistakes made by the company's management also become a significant obstacle to survival: disrespectful attitude towards customers and employees, excessive loans without proper justification, contradictory company policy.
Against this background, I want to learn from those who have not just existed for 50 years or more. I would like to take an example from companies that have existed for hundreds of years and, despite wars, economic crises, government changes and redrawing of countries' borders, have remained afloat. What makes these companies different and how can you use their experience to build your own near-immortal business?
10. The Bingley Arms (953)
6. Stiftskeller St. Peter (803)
60 years older than its European neighbor, the oldest European company, or rather the restaurant Stiftskeller St. Peter (The cellar of the monastery of St. Peter). It is located in Salzburg, Austria. Unlike the previous leaders, the proof of the restaurant is relatively shaky - a mention of a tavern at this place in the papers of the scientist Alcuin.
Despite this, the expensive restaurant attracts a lot of visitors, holds musical evenings in honor of Mozart and does not hide its Medieval origin and monastic past.
5. Genda Shigyo (771)
Another one Japanese company, which for a life of 1200 years has not even changed its profile of activity. She produces paper bags and decorative ribbons for jewelry. The color of the ribbon is responsible for the mood, emotions, meaning. But due to the fact that today's Japanese youth is not in awe of the old traditions, business is having a hard time.
It will be a shame if the old company cannot adapt to the new realities. Perhaps they should expand their market with a company in or, in order to then enter the US market?
4. Tech Kaihatsu (760)
The only heavy industry company in the ranking that considers a forge established in 760 as its ancestor. Located in Japan. Researchers debate whether the company is as old as it says it is, but in the meantime it makes machinery.
Apparently she managed to switch from blades and horseshoes to something more modern, which helped her survive.
3. Hōshi Ryokan (718)
Family hotel in Japan, owner - 46th representative of the Hoshi family. Traditional hotel, traditional appearance, the traditional approach to customers. It's been working for 1300 years now.
2. Koman (717)
Another Japanese hotel is located on the second line of the oldest companies in the world. According to legend, the founder of the hotel had a dream in which divine messengers asked him to build a temple. During the construction, hot springs were discovered and a hotel was created next to the temple.
In addition to history, the hotel also has a good location: many attractions and the Sea of Japan nearby.
1. Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan (705)
The oldest company is again a Japanese hotel. For all the time, the owners have not changed - the same family owns the hotel as in 705. 52nd generation, by the way.
The hotel is decorated in a traditional Japanese style, there is no WiFi, the locks on the doors have not been replaced with plastic cards and, of course, there are excellent thermal springs where you can enjoy the moment in peace and quiet.
What, we help create a long-lived business?
Each of us wants to create a project that will outlive him. Business is no exception. What can we understand from the example of the longest-lived companies? What advice do they give us from the depths of time?
Let's get rid of the joke about having to work in Japan. The mentality, family values, obedience and discipline really help the Japanese business to exist for centuries. Another thing is that modern companies in Japan, they experience difficulties no less than their counterparts in Russia or.
From practical things it is worth noting that 8 out of 10 companies belong to the service sector. Even the paper bag and gift ribbon company is closer to service than production. This is explained relatively simply: as long as there are people, they have needs that can be satisfied.
Industry, production, no matter how advanced it is, undergoes changes much more often than the needs of people. With the advent of new technologies, entire industries are being destroyed, along with jobs and industrial capacities.
If you provide information services, give advice or feed people with unusual sweets, then the chance to survive in the struggle for life increases.
Next step: good location. If people constantly walk around the business, new buyers and visitors come, then it is much easier to keep the company. IN modern world a good location doesn't have to be a kiosk in Times Square. It can be either , or , or . Even a convenient e can close the distance between you and your customers.
Other distinguishing feature: a certain attitude towards people. Focusing on customers and staff allows you to level out problems in the economy, to survive when others lose everything. No wonder the word “loyalty” is repeated several times in the Top. Create loyal customers who trust you, who feel your care and this will help create an "immortal" business.
And one more thing that is clearly not traced, but which cannot be dispensed with: the ability to find a golden mean between the new and the traditional. In the modern world, which offers new technologies and approaches almost daily, you have to choose: what works and what distracts.
On the one hand, recipes that have been tested for thousands of years: loyalty, relationships, services. On the other hand, high speed, international agreements, constant progress. We are forced to find those tools that correspond to both these sides of the coin.
One of them is offshore companies. Something that did not exist 1000 years ago, but which helps modern business distribute risks, reduce burden, protect assets. No need to tie yourself to one place or one country. Use globalization as a starting point and a way to develop effectively.
You can open an offshore company for a period of 1 week, if you use the services of experienced intermediaries. We offer you our help: [email protected]. We have existed for less than 1000 years, but we adhere to the same principles as centenarians: we build relationships with clients, help solve their problems, and look for a balance between new and proven.
You can use the results of our work. Just sign up for a consultation right now: [email protected].
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Today, the business world lives much less than it was 50 years ago. Relying on research by the Boston Consulting Group, it can be concluded that approximately 10% of operating companies close every year.
Ari DeGius, formerly Regional Manager for Africa and South Asia at Shell, wrote in The Living Company, which he authored, that current companies live an average of about 12 and a half years, and companies included in the Fortune 500 (ranking of world companies in terms of revenue), live about 40 - 50 years.
Of all the above, there is also a positive, for example, in 2015, 967 companies were recorded that were founded before 1700, namely:
- 517 companies are located in Japan;
- 19% of all companies operate in Germany;
- and no more than 5% for each developed country.
The secret of longevity
There is no such company that would be insured against ruin. The question arises, why exactly in the current years are companies dying more and more often? The answer is given in his book by Ari De Geus. He tells us that today's businessmen and managers, chasing the increase in revenue, forget about the most important thing - about people.
The main principle of the longevity of the company is the attitude towards employees. In Japan, the management of companies by centenarians often passes from generation to generation of the same family.
The fact of the longevity of Japanese companies is also noticed by others. For example, Denis Shcherbakov, Deputy Head of the HSE School of Oriental Studies, believes that the longevity of Japanese companies is also influenced by something else, namely:
- isolationism;
- special business environment;
- state policy in the field of support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Rating of long-lived companies
Let's introduce you to the 10 oldest companies in the world.
1. Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan - active since 705
In 705, Fujiwara Mahito established an inn at the hot springs of Hayakawa City. The hotel still operates today and is owned by the descendants of Mahito. This is the oldest company in the world. Confirmation of this is its inclusion in the Guinness Book of Records.
2. Koman - has been working since 717
In second place is also a Japanese hotel. During the construction of this hotel, workers discovered a source of thermal waters near which the Hyuga family built their hotel.
3. Hōshi Ryokan - active since 718
In third place again the hotel and again Japanese. This inn is located in Komatsu. This hotel is owned by the same Hoshi family. And the current owner is called the same as the founder of Zengro.
4. Tech Kaihatsu - working since 760
Tech Kaihatsu manufactures equipment for machines, and once it was just a forge according to the owners of the company.
5. Genda Shigyo - active since 771
Genda Shigyo now produces the same thing 1000 years ago, these are paper bags and "mizuhiki", colorful ribbons for decorating invitations to weddings, funerals and other events.
6. Stiftskeller St. Peter - active since 803
Restaurant Stiftskeller St. Peter in Salzburg is the oldest company in Europe. The atmosphere of the Middle Ages has been preserved in the Restaurant.
7. Staffelter Hof - in operation since 862
Staffelter Hof is a family winery in the German town of Krov. This enterprise is the oldest winery in the world. The archives of the city still contain documents proving that in 862 the distillery worked, and in 1890 a real factory was launched.
8. Tanaka-Iga - active since 885
This Japanese company from the city of Kyoto has conquered the market for religious objects. Now, as well as 1131 years ago, it produces bells, amulets, special furniture, lamps and other things that are necessary for the operation of a Buddhist temple. On the official website, the company explains the secret of its longevity with customer loyalty. Tanaka-Iga's main competitor is Shumiya-Shinbutsuguten. It was also not founded yesterday - it has been operating since 1024.
9. Sean "s Bar - has been operating since 900
This Irish bar is said to be the oldest drinking establishment in the world. The age is indicated by numerous mugs and coins found here during excavations. The researchers explain the secret of longevity with an ideal location - the bar is located in the heart of the country, in the city of Athlone, on the banks of the picturesque Shannon River.
Regular visitors to Sean's Bar are U2 musicians, politicians, football stars. Photos of the most famous guests adorn the walls of the pub along with a Guinness Book of Records certificate confirming the status of the oldest tavern. Soon another such document will appear nearby - the venerable age of the institution promises to confirm the National Museum of Ireland .
10. The Bingley Arms - in operation since 953
In the 20th century, English pubs did not do well: now there are less than 50,000 establishments in the country, 100 years ago there were twice as many. But they won't disappear entirely - they are an important part of the cultural code laid down by establishments like The Bingley Arms in the village of Bardsey.
This pub was opened at a time when the Vikings were rampant on the island - hundreds of years ago it was called a haven for wandering monks. In addition to the glorious history of tourists, The Bingley Arms helps to attract a good location - it is close to all the main attractions of Leeds and York.
It is unusual for many companies to exist for a couple of years. In fact, research shows that even successful businesses exist for about 50 years before being disbanded or cease operations. 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 products or services that have always enjoyed in great 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 operates as an 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 shop 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 ceramic products self made, 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 civil war in America, 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 have used cymbals in their musical careers. 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 name Beretta is probably familiar to many people, as it is a manufacturer a large number weapons that you can see in movies, games and TV shows, as well as in the hands of armed personnel in real life. Family company was founded in 1526, and now supplies weapons all over the world thanks to its location among iron-rich mountains, which provide it with all the necessary components.
The Shore Porters Society
Based in Aberdeen, Scotland, The Shore Porters Society provides relocation services, freight transport and storage of things since 1498. Considered the oldest transport company around the world and operates in various industries, 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 the year 900, it has provided visitors with beer and other alcoholic beverages for more than 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 was construction company and has been active since 578, that is, it has been building temples and other buildings for more than 1400 years.
A company is considered a long-liver if it has existed for more than 10 years, and we can’t even talk about such terms as hundreds of years. Domestic businessmen need to learn how to extend the life of their company from foreign companies some of them have been in operation for centuries.
Interesting fact № 1:
For example, a construction company in Kongō Gumi Co.,Ltd in Japan was founded in 578, and ended its existence in 2006, that is, after 15 centuries. At first she prospered by building castles for kings, then, during the Second World War, she had to sell coffins. Whether it had to produce corrugated PVC pipes is unknown. But by the end of the 20th century, the company had accumulated a lot of debt and in 2006 it was taken over by a rival firm. 
Fun Fact #2: Almost as long worked and another Japanese Hōshi company specializing in hotel business. The first inn of this brand was opened to guests in 718. The firm has been continuously managed by 46 generations of the same family. 
Fun Fact #3: In the capital Austria Vienna has a restaurant Stiftskeller St. peter, founded in 803. During his work, both crowned heads and even himself visited here. Christopher Columbus.
Fun Fact #4: One of the first breweries in Bavaria Weihenstephan Brewery of Bavaria has been brewing beer since 1040, when she received permission to produce this popular drink. Beer can be tasted in this institution today. 
Fun Fact #5: Another brewery Affligem Abbey brewery of Belgium, already in Belgium, was founded by monks in 1074, and since then the beer recipe has not changed. 
Fun Fact #6: Upper levels of salt mines open for tourists in Wieliczka The Wieliczka Salt Mine, which were founded in 1044. At the lower levels of the mines there is a restaurant and a church. At one time the mines were visited by Goethe, Copernicus, Bill Clinton. 
Fun Fact #7: Mint Kremnica in Slovakia has been producing coins since 1328. Second World War caused great damage to the equipment, but it was gradually restored. 
