The 2024 Henokiens Annual Congress which took place in Nara (Japan) from 24 September to 27 September 2024 saw the following higlights :

HENOKIENS ASSOCIATION GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The key points :
 
SPEECH PRESIDENT ALBERTO MARENGHI
The President of the Henokiens Alberto Marenghi asked the members to observe a minute's silence in memory of three members of the Association who had passed away since the last General Assembly, Michel Viellard, Antoine D'Hondt and Giuseppe Aldinio-Colbachini. President Marenghi then presented a report on the Association's development, including the introduction of procedures to control growth while preserving the spirit and the roots of the Henokiens, the essential reasons for membership. To this end, the President  proposed a charter to the members, describing in detail the identity of the Henokiens, the reasons for becoming a member and the commitments of members. This charter, new “must” for all candidate companies,  was unanimously adopted.

CONGRESS 2025
Bruno Bobone (Pinto Basto) presents to the members the program for the Congress 2025, to be held in Lisbon between September 25 and 27, 2025. The program includes the presentation of the 14th Leonardo da Vinci Prize to a Portuguese family business, visits of the Champalimaud Foundation, a Portuguese institution focused on biomedical research in the fields of cancer and neuroscience, and the NOVA University in Lisbon, which is specialized in disciplines such as social sciences, humanities, business and technology.

THE HENOKIENS « COMPENDIUM » 
The Association's “Compendium” (writing and compiling of case studies on Henokiens companies), which currently comprises 25 case studies, all available on the Henokikens website, will be completed by 2 new cases Acetaia Giusti and J.&L. Lobmeyr which will be published after their presentation on October 18 and 19, 2024 at the « Family Entreprise Day » an annual event organized jointly by INSEAD and the Henokiens Association.

VISIT OF NAKAGAWA MASASHICHI SHOTEN MEMBER OF THE  HENOKIENS
Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten was established in 1716 in Nara Prefecture. Since then, it has continued to deal in handspun and handwoven ramie fabric, and commemorates the 300th anniversary of its establishment in 2016. The products sold by Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten are primarily household goods that were conceived by applying Japanese craftsmanship and design. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten is discerning new sense and wisdom from time-honored Japanese culture and traditions, to produce numerous high quality products designed to fit naturally into a modern lifestyle. An example : the company’s mainstay product, “Hana Fukin,” a dish cloth conceived by recognizing the water-absorbing and quick-drying functionality of mosquito net material, a specialty product of Nara. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten also operates a consulting business specific to the craftsmanship industry in Japan. In 2007, it established its corporate vision to “Revitalizing Japanese craft!” by supporting the rehabilitation of local small and medium-sized companies and fostering vibrant businesses in production areas around the country (local “star” businesses). With a focus on makers to whom Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten has provided its expertise, the company aspires to build a mechanism for preserving Japanese craftsmanship for posterity by bringing about a chain reaction in the revitalization of surrounding communities and the endurance of entire production areas.

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