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Energy sector driving millionaire growth in Texas

September 26, 2014

Momentum in the oil and gas sector has led to a dramatic increase in the number of millionaires in Texas, with the city of Dallas seeing the fastest growth in the US, according to new research.

Momentum in the oil and gas sector has led to a dramatic increase in the number of millionaires in Texas, with the city of Dallas seeing the fastest growth in the US, according to new research.

The first Capgemini/RBC United States Wealth Report found that millionaire growth in the region was driven primarily by investment in new technology, particularly in the state’s two largest cities, Dallas and Houston.

Russia sanctions hit German family businesses

August 1, 2014

German family businesses are feeling the pinch from Russia’s confrontation with the West, particularly carmaker Volkswagen, who has reported an 8% year-on-year decrease in Russian sales.

German family businesses are feeling the pinch from Russia’s confrontation with the West, particularly carmaker Volkswagen, who has reported an 8% year-on-year decrease in Russian sales.

With further sanctions on the horizon, Volkswagen, controlled by the Piech family, is just one of approximately 6,000 German family businesses operating in Russia that are expected to suffer from the incoming “level three” sanctions.

Philanthropy helps fund new British Museum wing, but UK wealthy still neglect the arts

March 6, 2014

A new wing at the British Museum, opening today, has been made possible by one of the largest private philanthropic donations to the arts in the UK in recent decades, but the country still lags behind the US when it comes to charitable donations to arts and heritage.

The Sainsbury family, of the eponymous supermarket empire, donated £25 million (€30.5 million) to the World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre at the London institution, which will open with an exhibition of Viking artifacts.

Swatch's $449.5 million arbitration victory over Tiffany & Co

December 23, 2013

Swiss family-controlled watch business Swatch has come out on top after a bitter legal dispute with luxury jewellery company Tiffany & Co, winning $449.5 million (€328.6 million) in damages.

Swiss family-controlled watch business Swatch has come out on top after a bitter legal dispute with luxury jewellery company Tiffany & Co, winning $449.5 million (€328.6 million) in damages.

Swatch, controlled by the Hayek family, filed a claim with the Netherlands Arbitration Institute in 2011 over the termination of a contract between the two companies.

The following year Tiffany, a publicly traded company, filed a counter claim.

Family business roundup: Five Guys expands; Harmsworth and Germinder families strengthen control

July 5, 2013

Five Guys, the US burger chain controlled by the Murrell family, has expanded to Europe, with the opening of its first restaurant in London on 4 July.

Five Guys crosses the Atlantic, while the Harmsworth and Germinder families have strengthened control over their respective businesses.

Five Guys
Five Guys, the US burger chain controlled by the Murrell family, has expanded to Europe, with the opening of its first restaurant in London on 4 July.

Infographic: US family businesses

June 26, 2013

Family business should not be confused with small business in the US

Size matters in the US, which is home to some of the world’s biggest family businesses. The country’s five largest family-controlled firms – Walmart, Ford, Cargill, Koch Industries and Comcast – had combined revenues of $911.9 billion (€694.8 billion) in 2012, more than Indonesia’s GDP.

Ford family retains control, despite vote

May 10, 2013

The Ford family has retained control over the eponymous automaker, despite a growing number of shareholders voting in favour of ending dual-class shares.

At the company’s 58th annual meeting, 33.4% of shareholders, the highest tally ever, backed the proposal to end the class of shares that allows the family to control Ford Motor. Last year 29.5% voted against the company’s dual-share structure.

Family business roundup: Peugeot in talks with GM while Walmart’s profit falls

February 24, 2012

Two of the world’s largest family businesses had a mixed week. US retail giant Walmart saw profits drop, while Peugeot Citroen reportedly looked to team up with General Motors to better compete in the fiercely competitive European car market.

Walmart, the supermarket chain controlled by the Walton family, said net profits for the year ended 31 January 2012 fell by 4.2% to $15.7 billion (€11.69 billion), from $16.4 billion the previous year.

Family business roundup: Guida’s Milk and Schweppe sold

February 23, 2012

Two family businesses operating in the US food industry have been sold – with the Guida family in Connecticut ending its involvement in dairy company Guida’s Milk and the Schweppe family in Illinois selling food service firm Schweppe.

Guida's Milk, which produces milk, cream and ice-cream mixes, as well as fruit juices, was sold to Dairy Farmers of America, a Kansas City-based co-operative, for an undisclosed sum.

Family business challenges differ between the US and Europe

September 28, 2011

The challenges facing family businesses not only differ between emerging and western markets, but even within each of these markets, according to a family business expert.

Jörg Ritter, co-head of the family business advisory division of executive search firm Egon Zehnder International, said that despite operating in similar developed markets, family businesses in Europe and the US have to deal with very different issues that affect their success.