You probably heard of companies immediately shutting down operations shortly after launching their products and services. Or those who had to file for bankruptcy before leaving the purchasing shelves forever. On the opposite side of the story, however, several of the world's oldest companies have stood the test of time and are still operating today.
While there are no longer ancient business operation methods being used in full today, the world's oldest companies had to adapt to modern times. Some are still developing similar products with an extra contemporary touch, and some may have fully shifted their focus elsewhere to meet the ever-changing consumer needs of the 21st century.
That said, here are 5 World's Oldest Companies Still Operating Today.
1. Kongo Gumi (578 AD = 1,446 years)
World Atlas shared that originally, Kongo Gumi was a construction company that specialized in building temples of Buddhist. It even erected the popular Osaka Castle in Japan. For more than 1,400 years, it was a family-owned business in Osaka, Japan. However, some ancient things are not meant to survive fully in the 21st century. Facing economic problems, in 2006, it became a subsidiary of Takamatsu Construction Group.
Today, it is still a construction firm but only specializes in cultural heritage buildings with an assist from technology. Descendants of Kongo Gumi's founder are still involved in the company's operations.
2. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan (705 AD = 1,319 years)
Nishiyama easily takes the 2nd spot of the world's second-oldest company still operating today. This time, it's in the hospitality industry with 37 rooms featuring hot springs or onse, a kaiseki restaurant, and a moon-viewing platform. Since its foundation, World Atlas stated that 52 generations have led operations since its foundation until 2017. Several important historical figures have visited the hot springs, even Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, to whom the TV series 'Shogun' is inspired.
3. Sennen no Yu Koman (717 AD = 1,307 years)
Over 1,000 years later, Koman is still a hotel led by founder Hike Gonnokami's descendants. Japanican reported that the family modernized the hotel with bathhouses and other renovations, making it one of the most visited ryokan-style hotels for several centuries.
4. St. Peter Stiftskeller (803 AD = 1,221 years)
First mentioned as an 'abbey cellar' in 803, St. Peter Stiftskulinarium is now a historic restaurant in the old town of Salzburg, Australia. During the 11th century, it mainly focused on the wine trade and exported over 40 wagonloads of wine each year. But in 1517, it expanded with a rock cellar and an abbey bakery.
Now, World Atlas has learned that it has gradually transformed into a hotel with modern rooms.
5. Staffelter Hof (862 AD = 1,162 years)
Another family-run business that proved to have survived the test of time is the Staffelter Hof. The Porto Protocol reported that it was also a wine-producing abbey in the first year of its foundation, in Germany. For some time, original family members operated its winery, distillery, and guesthouse operations. Then, in 1805, Schneiders bought the property and passed it down to seven more generations.
Similar to how it expanded before, not much has changed, except perhaps for modern touches of interior designs.
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