Oldest Companies Still Operating
Discover companies founded before 1900 that are still in operation today. These businesses have survived wars, economic crises, and centuries of change.
Vienna
Paris
Earth
Lund
Norwich
Portugal
Pardubice
Amsterdam
Darmstadt
Charles University
Aldine Press
Bibliothèque nationale de France
Oxford University Press
Sumitomo Metal Mining
Hampton
Kyivan Cave Monastery Press
DuMont Media Group
Peabody
Royal Society
MCCORMICK & CO INC
Tongrentang
Brill
Barclays
Sumitomo Forestry
Breitkopf & Härtel
Longman
Russian Academy of Sciences
Melkite Greek Catholic Church
Nauka
NatWest Group
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oldest company in the world?
Several companies claim founding dates going back centuries. Japanese companies like Kongo Gumi (578 AD) and Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan (705 AD) are among the oldest continuously operating businesses in recorded history.
How do companies survive for centuries?
Long-surviving companies typically adapt to changing markets, maintain strong family or institutional leadership, focus on enduring industries (hospitality, construction, food), and balance tradition with innovation.
Which industries have the oldest companies?
The oldest companies tend to be in hospitality (inns, hotels), construction, brewing, banking, and manufacturing. These industries serve fundamental human needs that persist across centuries.
