SIX ITALIAN FAMILY COMPANIES AMONG THE WORLD TEN OLDEST
22/10/2009
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The Italian companies excell in the list of the world oldest companies. Among the 10 world oldest family companies, 6 are Italian revealed the research compiled by the Philadelphian Family Business Magazine. The oldest company is Houshi Onsen, a Japanese spa and inn founded in 718.
The Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli, a bell foundry, founded in Agnone (Isernia) around the year 1000, grabbed the second place. The foundry still uses the old techniques and its bells toll everywhere in the world. The company employs only 20 employees, among them five members of the Marinelli family.
In the fourth place there is Barone Ricasoli, wine and olive oil producer, founded in Siena in 1141. It is managed by Baron Francesco Ricasoli. In the 5th place we find the glass company Barovier & Toso from Murano (Venice), founded in 1295. In the 8th place is the jewel producers Opificio Orafo Torrini founded in Florence in 1369 by Jacopus Torrini. In the 9th place is Marchesi Antinori S.r.l., wine producers in Florence since 1385. In the 10th place we find the Camuffo shipbuilders of Portogruaro (Venice), founded in 143. It was a boat supplier to Mohammed the Second, the Venetian Republic and even Napoleon.