There are millions of companies in the world. Some are small and only have a handful of employees while others are classified as international corporations with thousands of workers and offices throughout the planet. Some firms are new while others have been in business for centuries. Here are some of the oldest still functioning companies in the world.
Staffelter Hof
According to recent statistics, Germany is home to 837 companies which are at least two centuries old. The Staffelter Hof is identified as the oldest German firm in the world as it was established in 862 when it was part of a wine producing abbey. It is located in the town of Kröv in the western parts of Germany. Staffelter Hof produces three tiers of wine (Wappenwein, Signatureweine and Motivwein) which span from sweet to dry and can be found in red, white or rose variations. Many sommelier credit the company for making the finest wine in Germany.
Sean’s Bar
Located in the Irish town of Athlone, Sean’s Bar is a public houses which was opened at the beginning of the 10th century. It is recognised as the oldest bar in Ireland a claim that is proven by the fact that the Guinnéss World Records listed it as the oldest pub on the European continent in 2004. The bar holds records of every one of its owners since its establishment. An interesting fact about Sean’s Bar is that in 1987 it was briefly owned by English singer and songwriter, George Alan O`Dowd more commonly known as Boy George.
Staffelter Hof
According to recent statistics, Germany is home to 837 companies which are at least two centuries old. The Staffelter Hof is identified as the oldest German firm in the world as it was established in 862 when it was part of a wine producing abbey. It is located in the town of Kröv in the western parts of Germany. Staffelter Hof produces three tiers of wine (Wappenwein, Signatureweine and Motivwein) which span from sweet to dry and can be found in red, white or rose variations. Many sommelier credit the company for making the finest wine in Germany.
Sean’s Bar
Located in the Irish town of Athlone, Sean’s Bar is a public houses which was opened at the beginning of the 10th century. It is recognised as the oldest bar in Ireland a claim that is proven by the fact that the Guinnéss World Records listed it as the oldest pub on the European continent in 2004. The bar holds records of every one of its owners since its establishment. An interesting fact about Sean’s Bar is that in 1987 it was briefly owned by English singer and songwriter, George Alan O`Dowd more commonly known as Boy George.
Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli
Founded in 1040, Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli is a bell foundry. It is Italy’s oldest family owned company and one of the three oldest family businesses on the planet. The foundry is renowned for its high quality bells and products and an evidence to this is the fact that the company has its own museum in the Italian city of Agnone. The venue is one of the most visited landmarks in the region. Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli is known for producing the last bell to be mounted on the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The bell is an exact replica of the 17th century bell which was damaged during the events of World War II and weight the staggering 600 kilogrammes. Aside of making bell, the company also manufactures and conducts:
Founded in 1040, Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli is a bell foundry. It is Italy’s oldest family owned company and one of the three oldest family businesses on the planet. The foundry is renowned for its high quality bells and products and an evidence to this is the fact that the company has its own museum in the Italian city of Agnone. The venue is one of the most visited landmarks in the region. Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli is known for producing the last bell to be mounted on the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The bell is an exact replica of the 17th century bell which was damaged during the events of World War II and weight the staggering 600 kilogrammes. Aside of making bell, the company also manufactures and conducts:
- Bronze portals
- Church artifacts
- Bes reliefs
- Modern and ancient bell restorations
Otterton Mill
The Otterton watermill is set alongside Otter River in Devon in the southwestern parts of the United Kingdom. Historical records show that it was established during the second half of the 11th century in 1068. The mill and its manor were given to the nuns of Syon Abbey by King Henry V. During the 16th century, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the manor and mill were acquired by Richard Duke. The Duke family kept the Otterton watermill for over two centuries and then sold it Denys Rolle whose ancestors still own it as part of Clinton Devon Estates. During the late 1950s, the mill was closed and its adjacent edifices were used for grain storage. In 1977, the structure was restored and reopened by Desna Greenhow. The Otterton Mill is currently the second oldest company and oldest operating watermill in Britain. It is also the venue of the annual, Portable Antiquities Team event which displays local archaeological discoveries.
Kongō Gumi
The interesting country of Japan is home to over 3.000 companies which are at least two centuries old. Kongō Gumi is the oldest of them all as it was founded in 578 AD and has been in business for over 1.400 years. It was owned for 40 generations by the Kongō family until it was sold to the Takamatsu Construction Group in 2006. Classified as a construction firm, the company specialises in Buddhist temples. Osaka Castle is perhaps the most noted edifice to be built by Kongō Gumi.
The Otterton watermill is set alongside Otter River in Devon in the southwestern parts of the United Kingdom. Historical records show that it was established during the second half of the 11th century in 1068. The mill and its manor were given to the nuns of Syon Abbey by King Henry V. During the 16th century, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the manor and mill were acquired by Richard Duke. The Duke family kept the Otterton watermill for over two centuries and then sold it Denys Rolle whose ancestors still own it as part of Clinton Devon Estates. During the late 1950s, the mill was closed and its adjacent edifices were used for grain storage. In 1977, the structure was restored and reopened by Desna Greenhow. The Otterton Mill is currently the second oldest company and oldest operating watermill in Britain. It is also the venue of the annual, Portable Antiquities Team event which displays local archaeological discoveries.
Kongō Gumi
The interesting country of Japan is home to over 3.000 companies which are at least two centuries old. Kongō Gumi is the oldest of them all as it was founded in 578 AD and has been in business for over 1.400 years. It was owned for 40 generations by the Kongō family until it was sold to the Takamatsu Construction Group in 2006. Classified as a construction firm, the company specialises in Buddhist temples. Osaka Castle is perhaps the most noted edifice to be built by Kongō Gumi.
Wieliczka salt mine
The Wieliczka salt mine is situated in the southern parts of Poland and was established in 1250. It is one of the oldest salt mines on the planet. It was used from commercial mining until 1996 when the operations are halted due to mine flooding and the dropping prices of salt. The mine continued to function partially until 2007 when it was closed. However this didn’t put an end to the company as it was converted into a touristic site. The Wieliczka salt mine is currently one of Poland’s most visited landmarks and is recognised by the local authorities as a Historic Monument. UNESCO has identified the mine as a World Heritage Site.
The Wieliczka salt mine is situated in the southern parts of Poland and was established in 1250. It is one of the oldest salt mines on the planet. It was used from commercial mining until 1996 when the operations are halted due to mine flooding and the dropping prices of salt. The mine continued to function partially until 2007 when it was closed. However this didn’t put an end to the company as it was converted into a touristic site. The Wieliczka salt mine is currently one of Poland’s most visited landmarks and is recognised by the local authorities as a Historic Monument. UNESCO has identified the mine as a World Heritage Site.
Frapin
Based in the town of Segonzac in the western parts of France, Frapin is the world’s oldest cognac manufacturer. The company was opened in 1270 by a family of wine-growers who still own it to this day. The current management is the 20th generation that runs the firm. Today, Frapin covers an estate of 300 hectares and is listed as Premier Grand Cru du Cognac which is the one of the highest recognitions in the field wine and cognac producing.
Based in the town of Segonzac in the western parts of France, Frapin is the world’s oldest cognac manufacturer. The company was opened in 1270 by a family of wine-growers who still own it to this day. The current management is the 20th generation that runs the firm. Today, Frapin covers an estate of 300 hectares and is listed as Premier Grand Cru du Cognac which is the one of the highest recognitions in the field wine and cognac producing.
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