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.
This is taking place on an unprecedented scale and advice is sought from older family companies and institutions in the West and Japan.
From that perspective, the President van Eeghen was asked to share with the audience the unique « Henokiens experience » in the field of succession and sustainability. This formidable occasion to witness transition in progress has shown a great interest among this big group of participants.
Istanbul, October 19, 2016 :
Willem van Eeghen, President of the Henokiens association, gave a speech on the story, missions and actions of the association in Istanbul during the « Startup Summit for Family owned Businesses » organized for the CEO Club by CAPITAL leading business magazine in Turkey.
95% of the Turkish economy is dominated by private enterprises!
Fontainebleau, September 24, 2016 : the « Henokiens super case », an in depth research developed for the first time ever by INSEAD into the secrets of longevity of 25 company members of the association, was presented at the INSEAD « Family Enterprise Day ». During that one day event, MBA's and Alumini learned from the compeling stories of some of the 200 years old family run firms and listened to topics such as «How to value family assets in family businesses » « How to reduce or eliminate roadblocks in family businesses « How to balance long-term planning with succession » and « How to innovate ».The event was attended by approximately 100 participants.
The 2016 Henokiens Annual Congress, which took place in Rotterdam from 8 to 12 June, was organized by our Dutch member De Kuyper Royal Distillers.
The Congress saw the following highlights:
HUISMAN, worldwide lifting & subsea solutions
LELY, innovator in agriculture
DAMEN SHIPYARD, international shipyard group
VAN OORD, specialist in dredging, marine engineering and off shore wind projects
President Willem van Eeghen welcomed 4new members. Three Japanese: Nakagawa MasashichiShoten (1716), Yamasa Corporation (1645), Zaizo Lumber (1690) and one French: Catherineau (1750).
President Willem van Eeghen draws the attention of the assembly to the growing attractions of the the Henokiens Association which is seen and recognized today as a reference for family company matters. This interest forour association gives enhances substance to its missions (sharing of experiences, enhancement of family companies as a business model). It leads to key issues for the future regarding its capacity to follow up this trend in term of availability and organization.
TheHenokiens "Next Generation group" is now operational and ready to develop specific actions while being involved in the governance of the association.
The "Compendium" of the association (writing and gathering of case studies on Henokiens companies) includes today 7 cases (Hoshi, Toraya, VMC, Van Eeghen, Friedr. Schwarze, Garbellotto and Mellerio), a new one has been completed (Gekkeikan) and another one is in preparation. Furthermore, a Henokiens "Super Case", including all information already published on a great number of Henokiens companies, is currently underway by INSEAD (presentation of the Henokiens "Super Case" on September 24, 2016 during the Family Entreprise Day organized by INSEAD)
The next Henokiens General Meeting will take place during the 2017 Congress organized in Vienna between 21 and 25 June 2017 by its Austrian member A.E. Köchert.
The Leonardo da Vinci Prize, co-founded by the Henokiens association and Le Château du Clos Lucé, has been awarded this year to Van Oord, a Dutch family company employing 5000 people and a leading specialist in dredging, marine engineering and offshore projects (oil, gas and wind).
The ceremony took place in the Rotterdam city hall. The trophy was presentedto Mr. Pieter von Oord, CEO of Van Oord, by the Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb ,in the presence of the Henokiens President, Willem van Eeghen, François Saint Bris, the President of le Château du Clos Lucé-Parc Leonardo da Vinci, Professor Pursey Heugens of the Rotterdam Erasmus University and Mr. Hans de Boer, President of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW).
The 2015 Henokiens Annual Congress which took place in Italy from 17 to 21 June was co-organized by 3 Italian members:
Cartiera Mantovana,
Stabilimento Colbachini
and Guerrieri Rizzardi.
The Congress saw the following highlights:
Main points of the 2015 annual General Meeting:
The Leonardo da Vinci Prize created by the Henokiens association and the Château du Clos Lucé, has been awarded this year to Bracco Group an Italian company employing 3300 people in three major industries: Imaging, Pharma and Health services.
With a worldwide presence, this company 100% owned by the founding family where the 4th generation is already working, has always dedicated with the whole family its energy and passion to human health ensuring that technological innovation will always bring a better quality of life. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a part of Bracco's system of founding values. It has always been sustained and pursued in the company approach and enterprising policy. The Bracco foundation is part of this family and company vision. Major initiatives of the CSR are promoting welfare and solidarity schemes, supporting employees with health prevention, building relationships with the land to create social innovation and sustainability, working closely with associations, local authorities and NGOs, circulating expression of culture, science and art. The Leonardo da Vinci Prize has been awarded to Mr. Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, Head of the Global Business Unit Imaging of Bracco Imaging S.p.A,by Mrs. Emma Marcegaglia, Vice President of Marcegaglia SpA and President of Business Europe.
The 2014 Henokiens Annual Congress
which took place in Tokyo
from 23 to 27 October was organized by company member Toraya.
The Congress saw the following highlights:
On the occasion of this meeting, the President Willem van Eeghen has reiterated that the association and its members should be resolutely turned towards the future because if, in his view, the histories of the Henokiens are their "ear mark" and their difference, history must not be considered as an end to itself. In this perspective, he drew two directions in which the association was primarily to take action:
- Encouraging tomorrow's managers to enter into family businesses
That is the purpose of the "Compendium" project launched by the Henokiens for communicating on members issues, in a educational perspective.
- Acting as a role-model in and for tomorrow's economy
When one knows that a great majority of young family companies do not survive beyond the 3rd generation, the President believes that the Henokiens association has the legitimacy to encourage younger family companies to establish activities with a long term perspective. This is the purpose of the "Leonardo da Vinci Prize" which simultaneously aims to highlight transmission and continuity in family businesses
At the meeting, the President also presented the new logo of the Henokiens to the members and announced the launch of the new website of the association.
The Leonardo da Vinci Prize created by the Henokiens association and the Château du Clos Lucé, has been awarded this year to the Japanese company Kai Corporation. This centenary family company manufactures more than 10,000 different kinds of cutlery and cutting tools, ranging from kitchen utensils to cosmetic accessories and surgical implements.
With a worldwide presence, the company, 100% owned by the founding family and in which the 4th generation is already represented, has since its inception, remained faithful to the "3 thanks": "Thanks to its predecessors", "Thanks to its customers and partners" and "Thanks to its family and former and present employees" and to the basis of its philosophy: "humanity over productivity". For the Henokiens and Le Château du Clos Lucé, Kai showed that it had all the qualities to continue its industrial adventure while continuing to pass on its values and expertise to future generations.
The Leonardo da Vinci Prize has been awarded to Mr. Koji Endo, President of Kai Corporation, by Princess Imperial Akiko de Mikasa in the presence of Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, MP and Japanese former Minister of Education and Foreign affairs.
Princess Akiko of Mikasa gave a conference to the Henokiens members and prestigious guests on the theme of preservation and transmission of traditions in a country increasingly attracted by modernity.
She particularly emphasized in her lecture on the importance of the transmission of the traditional Japanese know how to children and the preservation of the natural environment, especially in large cities, as the historical and religious monuments that are the soul of her country.
Toraya brought together objects and images representing the history and activities of the 44 Henokiens members for a 15 days' ephemeral exhibition in its Roppongi shop in midtown Tokyo.
On June 14, 2014 the INSEAD -Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise- organized together with the Henokiens Association its "Family Enterprise Day" on the theme "Re-inventing the Business across generations".
During this working session, lead by Professor Morten Bennedsen, Academic Director of the Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise, co-chair of the Hoffmann research, the following questions were raised: Does every generation need to reinvent itself and the business? What are possible strategies for the family and the business in a transitional phase? How can families recruit and we