15 Centuries-Old Companies From Around The World That Are Still In Operation
There are two things we learned while compiling this list. Lesson one; If you want a long-lasting business, get into hospitality, candy, or booze. And Lesson two; Japanese companies can really go the distance. Excluding governments, educational, and religious institutions, there are currently 5,500 companies on Earth that are over 200 years old. 3,146 of those are Japanese. Not to ruin the ending, but the top 5 oldest still-operational companies right now are located in Japan. That’s pretty impressive.
In recently learning this, there’s something funny about clothing companies sporting Est. 1981 on their shirts (lookin’ at you, Guess Jeans). Not to take away from a newer company’s lasting impact — all the best to ‘em — but like, 42 years? Talk to us in 1,445 years. Man, being a know-it-all about something you learned moments ago is fun! Anyway, that’s the kind of numbers we’re working with, so here are 15 of some of the oldest still-operational companies on planet Earth.
Oldest Companies
When people don’t know an exact date, you know it’s old.
Their millennial anniversary is coming up!
Capitalizing on tourism has been done for a long time.
If only they made the Liberty Bell.
We bet they’re a little irked that Ireland’s bar is a tad older.
Sean’s Bar sounds like some dude opened it yesterday.
Passed down through 70 generations.
Germany has an older winery than Italy and France.
Don’t worry, we’re sure they’ve changed the menu since 803 AD.
The wedding industry and the death industry share a common ancestor.
Japan knows how to keep hotels operational.
When four gods tell you to build a hotel, you build a hotel!
What a difference 2 years can make.
This Buddhist temple construction company must be getting pretty good by now.
