On the 24th and 25th of April, European Family Businesses, an organization in which the Henokiens Association is partner, held its 1st NextGen programme under the title “Brussels from the inside: NextGens Tomorrow’s Leaders”. This event provided a group of 50 NextGens from different European countries, among which NextGens from the Henokiens Association, the opportunity to exchange with other NextGeners from different European chapters.
The first day consisting of social and cultural activities gave the group the occasion to visit the famous D’Ieteren Gallery, a place where the Henokiens member D’Ieteren exhibits horse-drawn carriages, built and distributed by D’Ieteren and presents objects, photographs and rare documents tracing the company’s 200 years of history. The group then participated in attending two learning sessions from EFB’s sponsors, KPMG and For Talents.
The second day was the opportunity for the group to discover the work of the main European institutions at a moment when issues like the new EU Green Deal are starting to become increasingly relevant for their businesses. The NextGens took part in discussions both at the Visitors’ Centre of the European Commission and during a lunch debate hosted by MEP Martina Dlabajova at the European Parliament.
The Henokiens Association took part in the EDHEC Family Business Research Center conference organized on the occasion of its tenth anniversary on the theme « Sustaining a responsible family business model from generation to generation ».
During this session, the following theme « Lessons of Resilience and Sustainable Impact from the Oldest Banking Dynasty in the World » was developped by Rania Labaki, Director of the Center's Family Business Chair, through the case study on Bank C. Hoare & Co, a member of the Henokiens Association, in the presence of two members of the Hoare family, Alexander Hoare and Michael Hoare. An occasion to learn from how the Hoare family succeed to manage to successfully navigate notable crises while consitently realizing impact over the course of 350 years.
The Henokiens Association also took part, in the person of its vice-President, Julian von Möller, in a round table on the theme of "Transferring the Family Business responsability while Consolidating Governance" in the company of Simone Møkster (Simon Møkster Shipping, Norway) and Mariann Wenckheim (Vöslauer and Wenckheim Holding, Mineral Water, Austria).
The partnership between the Henokiens Association and EDHEC Family Business Center shows how much the Association is committed to sharing with all those who are interested in family businesses the experience of its members and the values they defend. In recent years, the Henokiens and EDHEC have worked in this direction through various forms of joint actions such as meetings with students, writing cases (Banque Hottinguer and C.Hoare & Co.) or producing specific studies such as the one carried out in 2020 on the following theme “Historical values, social and environmental responsibilities: the new generation of family businesses is showing the way”.
This study, undertaken in partnership with le Château du Clos Lucé, co-creator with the Henokiens Association of the Leonardo da Vinci Prize, explored the theme of the future of family capitalism, a virtuous and responsible model part of the DNA of the Next Gen Henokiens.
To understand the key elements that contribute to the enduring growth, prosperity and resilience across different generations of Henokiens family enterprises, the INSEAD Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise in collaboration with the Hénokiens Association is jointly hosting the Family Enterprise Day focused on the theme "The Henokiens: From Remarkable Success to Lasting Legacy".
During this conference which brought together academic experts, distinguished family enterprise members from the Hénokiens Association, represented by its vice President Julian von Möller, INSEAD MBA students, three prominent Henokiens family enterprise members case studies have been presented by their author :
These presentations and the discussions that followed made it possible to address the following points:
The 2022 Henokiens Annual Congress, which took place in Venice (Italy) from 30 June to 2nd July 2022 saw the following highlights:
The key points:
Opening of the General Meeting by Henokiens President Alberto Marenghi. A minute of silence is observed in memory of Franco Crespi, former member of the Association.
Giuseppe Rizzardi, new President of the Italian section of the Association, made a presentation of the organization of the Venice Congress and the activities organized on this occasion including, in particular, the visit of the two member companies Luxardo and Garbellotto.
Introduction by Piero Luxardo (left) of the July 1st visit to his family business, the “Girolimo Luxardo” distillery (1819) located in Torreglia (Padova) and by Pieremilio Garbellotto (right) of the July 2nd visit to his family business, the “Giobatta & Piero Garbellotto” cask and barrel factory (1775) located in Sacile (Pordenone).
Following the General Meeting, Jesús Casado, Secretary General of European Family Businesses, an organization bringing together associations of family businesses from different countries of the European Union, made a presentation on the developments and initiatives of EFB to all European institutions (Commission, Parliament and Council of the European Union).
Antonio Calabrò gave a presentation on the urgent need to preserve and highlight everything that makes up the culture of family businesses, their history, their know-how, their products and this by all means (museums and company visits, conservation and exhibition of archives, etc.) because, according to him, the cultural component of family businesses represents a formidable tool enabling them to forge a meaningful identity. For Antonio Calabrò, by integrating a cultural environment around their products and services, family businesses hold the springs of their sustainability and their future by driving a sustainable development being the cornerstone of a widespread economic, social and civil culture.
Pedrollo Group is an industrial Italian family owned company of water handling energy transformation and applied technology founded in 1974. Pedrollo Group is globally recognised as a leader in the water pumps industry. Pedrollo business model based upon innovation, quality, service, internationalization along with its commitment to social responsibility are the foundations of its long-established reputation. The company, effectively owned by the family for 2 generations reaches a turnover of 340 millions euros, employs 1 200 people, has 7 production units, 12 commercial branches and exports most of its production to over 160 countries.
The story of the Pedrollo family began in 1974 when Silvano Pedrollo noted during a visit to Dubai that water was more expensive than oil, had the idea of producing the latest generation electric pumps in Italy. Since then, Silvano Pedrollo and his children, Alessandra and Giulio have developed the company in three business areas, water, energy and technology, seeking every day to face the fundamental global.
The Prize has been awarded on June 30, 2022 to Mr. Giulio Pedrollo, Chairman of the Pedrollo Group, member of the 2nd generation of the Pedrollo family, by Mr. Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor of the city of Venice, Messrs. Alberto Marenghi, President of the Henokiens Association, François Saint Bris, President of Château du Clos Lucé- Parc Leonardo da Vinci, in the presence of Mr. Silvano Pedrollo, founder of the Pedrollo Group in 1974 and on video of Mr. Carlo Bonomi, President of Confindustria.
On July 1, 2022, the Henokiens visited the Luxardo company located in Torreglia (Padova) accompanied by members of the Luxardo family, in particular the sixth generation active in the family business founded in 1821. The company now covers an area of 12,000 square meters and manufactures, Maraschino which make their name known worldwide, as well a full line of classic Italian liqueurs, Sambuca, Amaretto, Limoncello, Aperitivo and a full range of aromatic specialities for artisan pastry making thanks to a specific production line which was successfully started up 10 years ago.
On July 2, 2022, the Henokiens visited the company “Giobatta & Piero Garbellotto” in Sacile (Pordenone) the oldest and most famous of Italian cooperages (1775). Directed by Piero Garbellotto and his two brothers, Piergregorio and Pieremilio, it now supplies barrels, tuns, vats and barrels for the aging of wines, liqueurs and distillates for capacities ranging from 10 to 70/80,000 litres. This production capacity, it owes it to its warehouse of 60,340 m2 (6 hectares), its most modern equipment and its wood depot with a capacity of 12 to 15,000 m3 containing mostly oak but also cherry, chestnut and ash and other woods from the finest producers in France,Croatia (Slavonia) and others from other large European forests.
The 2021 Henokiens Annual Congress, which took place in Lyon (France) from 28 October to 30th October 2021 saw the following highlights:
The key points:
Alberto Marenghi, from the company member Cartiera Mantovana, was elected for a two-year term from 2022, renewable once. In his introductory speech, the new President indicated to the members that he had two objectives: enlarging the Association, but not too much and not too fast, and continuing to show those who look at the Henokiens with curiosity and interest, how family business is a model for the future.
The presentation of the two new members of the Association, the Italian companies Grondona (manufacturer of biscuits) founded in 1820 and the company Luxardo (manufacturer of liqueurs) founded in 1821.
Andrea Grondona : « you cannot name the Grondona Biscottificio without immediatly thinking of one of our sweet products which have become iconic over time as the Lagaccio, the real biccotto baked and cooked twice, rough and fragrant, or canestrelli, which have the rich consistency of simplicity. The Grondona biscuit factory is a source of pride for the Liguria region and for Italy which it represents with its products throughout the world ».
Piero Luxardo : « During its long history, Luxardo has produced many different types of liqueurs and distillates, from the more traditional to more innovative ones. Sambuca, Limoncello and Amaretto represent the core range of the most traditional Italian liqueurs, Today Luxardo exports its specialities in over 93 different countries worldwide, whilst in the domestic market it is leader in the confectionary and gourmet market, with a wide range of alcoholic aromas and preserves and jams.
The presentation of a video prepared by all the Japanese members who, not having been able to travel to Europe, wished to express their friendly support to all the other members.
the nomination of Willem van Eeghen, successively President of the Henokiens (2014-2017) and Vice President (2018-2021), Honorary President of the Association.
The next Henokiens General Meeting will take place during the 2022 Henokiens Congress which will be organized in italy.
Following the General Meeting, Jesús Casado, Secretary General of European Family Businesses, an organization bringing together family business associations from different countries of the European Union, made a presentation entitled « Defending your business, Securing Continuity ».
The Leonardo da Vinci Prize co-founded by the Henokiens Association and Château du Clos Lucé, has been awarded this year to the French company Groupe SEB, world leader in the field of small domestic equipment. Since1930, the company has adopted a mass production model and has experienced strong growth by marketing reliable and innovative products. The Group invented the Cocotte-Minute pressure cooker in 1953, which marked the beginning of a series of innovations at the cutting edge of technology and perfectly suited to the new consumer trends of the time. SEB gradually broadened its activities by introducing new household appliancesand acquiring rival companies such as Moulinex/Krups in 2001 and the Chinese group Supor in 2007. Today, the company has a portfolio of 31 powerful and complementary brands, which are the pillars of its profitable and sustainable growth strategy(Tefal, Rowenta, Moulinex, Krups, Seb, Calor, WMF, Supor, to name a few). It employs 33,000 people at 40 different industrial sites, of which 10 in France,and is established in over 50 countries. Groupe SEB, with its global headquarters in Écully, near Lyon, had a turnover of 6.94 billion euros in 2020.
The ceremony took place on 28 October 2021 in Lyon. The Trophy was presented to Mr. Thierry de la Tour d'Artaise, Chief Executive Officer of Groupe SEB, by Mr. Patrick Martin, Deputy President of Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF) and Mr. Michel Barnier, former French minister and Brexit negociator at the European commission in the presence of the vice President of the Henokiens Association, Willem van Eeghen and François Saint Bris, President of Château du Clos Lucé-Parc Leonardo da Vinci.
The ceremony award of the Leonardo da Vinci Prize continued with a presentation by Ms. Rania Labaki, Director of EDHEC Family Business Research Center of the study "Historical values, social and environmental responsibilities: the new generation of family businesses is leading the way" realized for ther 10th anniversary of the Leonardo da Vinci Prize at the initiative of its co-founders, the Henokiens Association and Château du Clos Lucé.
Following her presentation, Ms. Labaki moderated a round table in which three members of the Association participated, from left to right, Olivier Passot (Revol), Jeroen van Eeghen (Van Eeghen Group) et Emmanuel Viellard (VMC).
The Henokiens visited the company REVOL, manufacturer of culinary porcelain established in the department of Drôme since its creation in 1768. For nine generations, the company has been run by the same family whose origins date back to the 17th.
Throughout the 19th century, the company mainly manufactured domestic products and in particular bowls, dishes and soup tureens, but also many bottles intended either for alcohol or for the preservation of food liquids: oil, milk, water, etc...
Gradually the manufacturing evolved towards more sophisticated products and in particular gifts decorated, at the same time, the company launched itself in the market of the promotional object during the first half of the 20th century. 1980s, Revol has resolutely evolved towards the hotel market, forging partnerships with recognized Chefs and offering this rapidly evolving market, innovative culinary solutions.
The beginning of the 2000s marked the entry into the world for Revol of the « retail » and the big stores. Revol since then has the ambition to become an art brand of the professional table and the general public and also the leader of custom made products for luxury brands (bottles, candles…). Today the company employs 250 people on a single site, generates 55% of its turnover in the hotel industry and exports 72% of its production to 84 countries.
The 2019 Henokiens annual Congress which took place from 25 September to 29 September in London, Stourhead and Bath, saw the following highlights:
The Leonardo da Vinci Prize, co-founded by the Henokiens Association and Le Château du Clos Lucé, has been awarded this year to the British company DC Thomson, one of the leading media organizations in UK, still entirely family own business since five generations, employing over 1,800 people across its seven subsidiaries in 15 different locations across the UK and overseas and achieving a turnover of 294 millions euros.
The ceremony took place on 26 September 2019 in London in the prestigious Two Temple Place in the presence of Lord Wilson of Dinton who gave the Prize to Mr. Christopher Thomson, Deputy Chairman of DC Thomson, Mr. Tokuichi Okaya, President of the Henokiens Association, Willem van Eeghen, vice President of the Henokiens Association, François Saint Bris, President of le Château du Clos Lucé- Parc Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander Hoare and Rennie Hoare partners with C.Hoare & Co., the members of the Henokiens Association and their guests.
A group composed of researches from the Witten Institute for Family Business (WIFU = Wittener Institut für Familienunternehmen) went to Japan in April 2019 to explore the differences and similarities between Japanese Family Businesses and German Family Businesses. For this, they interviewed local members of academic institutions as well as representatives of spiritual organizations (e. g. Buddhist monks, Zen Masters, Shinto priests etc.) and multi-generational business families among which six Henokiens company members : Gekkeikan, Nakagawa Maschashichi Shoten, Okaya, Toraya, Yamamotoyama and Yamasa.
The learning journey was intended to address three major topics in its specific cultural constellation in Japanese society: first, issues pertaining to succession; second, structures and strategies of family and business governance and, third, established routines of conflict prevention and resolution within business and the family taking into consideration that surveys on the longevity of firms reveal that many of the oldest family companies in the world are Japanese.
The Witten Institute for Family Business (WIFU) is Germany's pioneer and guide for academic research and teaching of the specific features of family businesses. The foundations for the consistent interdisciplinary orientation of WIFU were laid when it was founded in 1998, with the installation of three professorships – business management, psychology/sociology, and law. This configuration of disciplines, the scientific mirror image of the very make-up of family businesses, has enabled WIFU to gather technical expertise that is unparalleled in the field of family enterprise. Since 2004, the Institute's sponsors – an exclusive group of 75 family businesses – have enabled WIFU to act with and on behalf of family businesses. WIFU makes use of these unique European-wide conditions to systematically advance research and teaching of this particular organizational form and to develop innovative approaches for solving related problems. With currently 18 professors, WIFU has been contributing significantly for the last 20 years to the trans-generational sustainability of family businesses.
The WIFU researching team who participated to this journey was composed of Prof. Dr. Rudolf Wimmer, Prof. Tom Rüsen, Prof. Dr. Heiko Kleve, Dr. Tobias Köllner and Dr. Sigrun Caspary.
More information of this research :
Witten Institut for Family Business (WIFU)
Alfred-Herrhausenstr. 50
D-58448 Witten (Allemagne)
E.mail : wifu@uni-wh.de
Tel: +49 2302 926-513
The last meeting of the Next Gen Association of the Henokiens was held on October 6 and 7, 2018 in Bordeaux, home city of the company member Catherineau (1750).
This meeting allowed the group to discover Catherineau led today by Anne-Sophie and Marie Catherineau, 8th generation of the founding family. It was also the opportunity to attend a presentation given by Mrs. Amélie Villeger (University Bordeaux ), to visit the city of Bordeaux and its famous vineyard and, above all, to allow participants to share their own experiences and challenges while linking personal connections thus preparing the future of the governance of the Association.
« Adapt or Fail & Safeguarding Family Values and Traditions for the Next Generation »
Fontainebleau, September 15, 2018
The Henokiens Association and INSEAD organized their traditonnal « Family Enterprise Day », the occasion for MBA's and Alumini to discover the draft of the « Henokiens Super Case II » a new research developed by INSEAD on 15 Henokiens focussed on three central themes :
During this "Family Enterprise Day" 3 Henokiens new Cases Stories were also presented :
Cuestamoras (www.cuestamoras.com) – Costa Rican multi-family owned company – organized on September 11, 2018 in San José its annual conference for families in business. Cuestamoras are pioneers in the region in terms of family governance and three years ago implemented a conference called "familyTALK" to which they invite families in business from Central America who are invited to participate in hearing best practices from content experts in three main topics: family business, new generations, and entrepreneurship.
Interested to learn best practices from the Henokiens Association, the 4th « Family Talk » invited Willem van Eeghen, vice President of the Association, to give a presentation on the goals and ambitions of the Henokiens, the principles necessary for long-term success, together with first hand experience on his own family company.
Other speakers of the conference were:
Mrs. Magda Uribe Sàenz, Director of the executive board of Cuestamorras, who participated to a panel on the following theme « New Generations and Entreprenership » along with Elena and Antonio Barnabo Uribe
Mr. Victor Messalles Cebria, vice President of "Grupo Empresarial de Supermercatos S.A. » participated to a panel on the following theme « Knowing the Patriarch» along with Monserrat and Victor Messales Vargas
Dr Daniel Papero from Browen Center- Georgetown University in Washington DC gave a lecture on « Process of intergenerational transfer of knowledge»
Cuestamoras is running in to its 3rd generation. Recently the company which sold its Central American supermarket chain stores to the world's largest supermarket concern Walmart, is now concentrating on (sustainable) Energy, Health, Forestry and Urban Development. The owners, Uribe-Sàenz, are a very innovative, enterprising and hospitable family.
The Henokiens Association visiting the Planetarium of the Munich Deutsches Museum, a museum founded in 1903 by Oskar von Miller great grand fatther member of Martin Schoeller, member of the Henokiens Associaton and organizer of the 2018 Henokiens Congress.
The 2018 Henokiens Annual Congress, which took place in Munich (Germany) from 27 June to 1st July 2018 saw the following highlights:
The key points:
Lectures given by Prof. Dr. Sabine Rau, Peter May Family Business Consulting, Dr. Wolfgang Heubisch, Former Minister for Education, Bavaria and Martin Zeil, former Minister for Econcomic Affairs, Bavaria.
The Leonardo da Vinci Prize, co-founded by the Henokiens Association and Le Château du Clos Lucé, has been awarded this year to the German company Schwan-STABILO, a 100% family owned group with three independent divisions: "Writing instruments", "Cosmetics" and "Outdoor". The company, one of the most successful family firms in Germany today, achieves a turnover exceeding 700 millions euros with more than 7000 employees and 22 sites across the world.
The ceremony took place on 28 June 2018 in Munich in the Deutsches Museum in the presence of the Prime Minister of Bavaria, Dr. Markus Söder, who gave the trophy to Mr. Sebastian Schwanhäußer, Executive Board Member Schwan-STABILO, Mr. Tokuichi Okaya, President of the Henokiens Association, Willem van Eeghen, vice President of the Henokiens Association, François Saint Bris, President of the Château du Clos Lucé- Parc Leonardo da Vinci and Professor Dr. Wolfgang M. Heckl, Director General Deutsches Museum.
The 2017 Henokiens Annual Congress,
which took place in Vienna from 21 to 25 June in Vienna (Austria)
saw the following highlights:
Visit of 4 suppliers to the Imperial Court.: Lobmeyr (Cristal), Scheer (Footwear), Köchert (Jewelry) and Jungmann (Fabrics).
Lectures given by Professor Joseph Penninger, geno-and biotechnologist, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology on the theme of « Evolution of the traditions » and Dr. Michael Hirt, director of the « Austrian Institute for management innovation », author of the book « Management Revolution ».
Henokiens panel best practices : « Breaking traditions in order to keep traditions » moderated by Michael Hirt with the participation of Peter von Möller (MöllerGroup), Willem & Jeroen van Eeghen (Van Eeghen & Co. BV) and Wolfgang Köchert (A.E. Köchert).
The 2017 Annual General Meeting :
The Leonardo da Vinci Prize, co-founded by the Henokiens Association and Le Château du Clos Lucé, has been awarded this year to the Austrian company Swarovski, a family company 100% owned by the Swarovski family, founded in 1895 (highest quality crystal and jewelry, long range optical products and grinding tools) achieving today a global revenue of 3, 37 billion Euros, employing approximately 32.000 people and selling its products in 170 countries.
The ceremony took place in Vienna in the Stadtpalais Liechtenstein. The trophy was presented by the former President of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Kark Heinz Fischer, to Mrs. Marisa Schiestl-Swarovski, Chairwoman of the Shareholders Meeting and 5th generation member of the family of the same name, in the presence of Willem van Eeghen, President of the Henokiens Association, François Saint Bris, President of the Château du Clos Lucé-Parc Leonardo da Vinci, of the Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna and of Mr. Georg Kapsch, President of the Austrian Federation of Industries (Industriellenvereinigung).
On 7 and 8 November 2016 the 3rd China Family Business Succession Forum dedicated to succession and sustainability took place in Beijing in presence of approximately 2000 people from 22 nationalities, 800 family companies and various research institutes.
According to a report of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in the next 5-10 years, nearly 3 million private companies in China shall be facing the issue of power transition. Last century China experienced a long period of state controlled companies owing to the regime of the Cultural Revolution when every private company was nationalized. Later, during last century when government control gradually subsided, family companies started to appear again and now they are experiencing a period of a first transition of ownership to the 2nd generation.