The Oldest Company in the World – Japan
The oldest company in the world that has been continuously owned by the same family can be found in Japan.
The name is Kongo Gumi. And it is now run by the 40th generation of the same family.
It is a construction firm that began by building the Buddhist Shitt
enou Temple.
The temple was built in 578 and is still standing.
Wow! I want these people to build my house.
Come to think of it, I believe my ex-mother-in-law used to work for them…in 578 AD. How a witch came to work on building a temple, I’ll never know.
The second oldest continously owned company in the world is also in Japan. It is Japanese Inn that was started in 718AD.
By contrast, the oldest continuously owned company in the states is a mere babe – Zildjian Cymbal Co. gets the honor. It was started in 1623, the same year they built their web page. (Actually, it’s a pretty cool web page.)
To know more about family businesses, go to Family Business Magazine.
To know more about my witch ex-mother-in-law, look up the Japanese witch trials.
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18/04/2006
It is interesting how the company has held on to the business for 40 generations of family. Its also intersting how each generation would want to continue to take over the business..
18/04/2006
thats really neat, i like old buildings because so much history plus maybe the possiblity of a ghost but to have it family owned for so long thats amazing.
18/04/2006
Thats pretty cool. It would apear that someone has some hardcore tenure. I wonder if the next generation of employes is as enthuiastic about working there as the privious, or is a career change on their mind.
18/04/2006
I think is cool. I like how the family is able to keep working together and making the business grow. The family must have gone through a lot hard time and good time.
18/04/2006
Tim, Joey, Susanna & Mark,
As you may know, the family ties in Japan are very strong. This is an excellent example.
I often wonder WHO managed the business…they could NOT possibly be 40 generations of men only…I wish I could find more details.