2006-10-27 01:47:34 · 5 answers · asked by bluto392 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Corporations
Haywood Printing 1826
2006-10-27 01:53:34 · answer #1 · answered by Buster 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This site lists the top 100 oldest family companies, the one listed below dates back to 578.
None on the list are less than 225 years old. Pretty interesting stuff.
1. Kongo Gumi
Construction/Osaka, Japan
Founded: 578
40th generation
www.kongogumi.co.jp
Prince Shotoku brought Kongo family members to Japan from Korea more than 1,400 years ago to build the Buddhist Shitennoji Temple, which still stands. Over the centuries, Kongo Gumi has participated in the construction of many famous buildings, including the 16th-century Osaka castle. Today the family continues to build and repair religious temples and manage general contracting from its Osaka headquarters. Current president is Toshitaka Kongo; his 51-year-old son, Masakazu Kongo, is waiting in the wings.
2006-10-27 09:02:10 · answer #2 · answered by damsel36 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to an article in Time, there's a family-owned building firm in Japan that's 1400 years old, the Kongo Gumi Company. They did their first job in 593 AD.
2006-10-27 09:08:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anna S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd say it's the Roman Catholic church, if you count them as a company.
If you don't count the church then Lloyd's of London is a candidate for the oldest company.
2006-10-27 08:56:13 · answer #4 · answered by me 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bayer asperin is old and has ties to germany.
2006-10-27 08:56:27 · answer #5 · answered by Kris 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋