Oldest Family Business in the United States

Company Name: Zildjian Cymbal Co.

Founded: 1623

Family Name: Zildjian

Product or Service: Cymbal manufacturing

Location: Norwell, Mass.

Founded 14 generations ago in Constantinople by alchemist Avedis I, who discovered an extremely musical alloy that created powerful, durable cymbals. The sultan named him "Zildjian," Armenian for "cymbalsmith." The family emigrated to the U.S. in 1929. Avedis Zildjian III established ties with the hot, new jazz drummers of the 30s and 40s. His son Armand (1921 - 2002) modernized the manufacturing process and factory. Today, Armand's daughters Craigie (CEO) and Debbie (vice president) run the company.

Note: A family business is dominated or controlled by members of a single family (or single family lineage).

Oldest and Largest U.S. Family Businesses:

Cargill, Inc., Cargill/MacMillan family, founded 1865, commodities trading, Minneapolis, 97,000 employees

Levi Strauss, Haas family, founded 1853, apparel, San Francisco, 40,000 employees

Bacardi, Bacardi family, founded 1862, rum, 7,000 employees

Crane & Co., Crane family, founded 1801, paper manufacturing, 1,200 employees

Source: Family Business Magazine

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