The Oldest Companies Still Operating Today
Here is a list of companies that survived the time test and are still operating today, despite hundreds of years old.
To be considered an old company, an organization must have been in operation for more than 200 years since its foundation. These companies do not include educational institutions, government agencies or religious institutions. There are more than 5,500 companies in the world that fit this definition. These companies are located in many countries, including Japan (3,146), Germany (837), the Netherlands (222) and France (196). This article takes a closer look at some of the oldest companies still operating in the world today.
The Oldest Companies Still Operating Today
Kongo Gumi
Founded in 578 AD, Congo Gumi is the oldest and continuously operating company in the world. It is headquartered in Osaka, Japan. This construction company was founded by a migrant who was commissioned by Prince Shotoku to build the Shitennō-ji Buddhist temple. Congo Gumi was a family-run company for about 400 years until 2006, and it became a subsidiary of Takamatsu, where the company fought financially. Before the merger, he employed more than 100 people and his annual budget was about $ 70 million. Today it continues to specialize in Buddhist temples.
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan
The second oldest company in the world is Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, a spa hotel in Hayakawa, Japan. It was founded in 705 AD. In 2011, it was accepted by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest hotel in the world. This 37-room hotel has been run by the same family for more than 1,300 years. It is located near the Akaishi mountains and gets its hot water from the nearby Hakuho Springs. The Oldest Companies Still Operating Today,What is the oldest company in the US still operating?,What is the oldest clothing brand in the world?,What is the oldest electronic company?,What is the richest company in the world?,What is the longest lasting company?,Is guess high end?,Is YSL more expensive than Louis Vuitton?,What is the oldest store in the world?,What does Kongo Gumi make?,How old is USA?,How many 100 year old companies are there?
Koman
Founded in 707 AD, Koman Hotel is the third oldest company in the world. It is a ryokan or a traditional Japanese Hotel. There are shared bathrooms and rooms with tatami mats. It was founded by Gonnokami Hiuke, who inspired the hotel to start after dreaming of four gods. In their dreams, the gods said that in order to protect his family for generations, he must live in this place. He built a temple dedicated to the gods in the building of the hotel. His grandchildren opened baths at the nearby Kinosaki Onsen.
Hoshi
Hoshi Ryokan is another traditional Japanese hotel founded in 718 AD, making it the world’s fourth oldest company and the third oldest hotel. It is located in the Awazu Onse district of Ishikawa prefecture in Japan. This hotel management has stayed in the same family for 46 years.
Genda Shigyo
Ceremonial paper products company Genda Shigyo was founded in 771 AD. In 794, when the city was the capital of Japan, it moved its headquarters to Kyoto. Today its offices can be found between Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle. This company specializes in mizuhiki, twisted colored paper cords. These cords are used for events such as funerals and weddings.
Stiftskeller St. Peter
Stiftskeller St. Peter is the 6th oldest company in the world and the first company outside Japan. This restaurant can be found in Salzburg, Austria. It is the oldest restaurant in the world and the oldest company in Europe. Stiftskeller St. Peter was founded in 803 AD in St. Peter’s Archabbey monastery. The restaurant claims to have served many famous people over the past few centuries, including Christopher Columbus and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The table published below provides a more complete list of the oldest companies in the world.
The Oldest Companies Still Operating Today
Rank | Year Established | Company | Current location | Field |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 578 | Kongō Gumi | Japan | Construction |
2 | 705 | Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan | Japan | Hotel |
3 | 717 | Koman | Japan | Hotel |
4 | 718 | Hōshi Ryokan | Japan | Hotel |
5 | 771 | Genda Shigyō | Japan | Ceremonial paper goods |
6 | 803 | Stiftskeller St. Peter | Austria | Restaurant |
7 | 862 | Staffelter Hof | Germany | Wine |
8 | 885 | Tanaka-Iga | Japan | Religious goods |
9 | 900 | Sean’s Bar | Ireland | Pub |
10 | 953 | The Bingley Arms | UK | Pub |
11 | 970 | Nakamura Shaji | Japan | Construction |
12 | 1000 | Château de Goulaine | France | Wine |
13 | 1000 | Marinelli Bell Foundry | Italy | Foundry |
14 | 1000 | Ichimonjiya Wasuke | Japan | Confectionery |
15 | 1024 | Shumiya-Shinbutsuguten | Japan | Religious goods |
16 | 1040 | Weihenstephan | Germany | Brewery |
17 | 1050 | Weltenburger | Germany | Brewery |
18 | 1068 | Otterton Mill | UK | Mill |
19 | 1074 | Affligem brewery | Belgium | Brewery |
20 | 1074 | Benediktinerstift Admont | Austria | Woodworking |
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