The 2021 Henokiens Annual Congress, which took place in Lyon (France) from 28 October to 30th October 2021 saw the following highlights:

The Henokiens Association General Meeting

The key points:

Alberto Marenghi, from the company member Cartiera Mantovana, was elected for a two-year term from 2022, renewable once. In his introductory speech, the new President indicated to the members that he had two objectives: enlarging the Association, but not too much and not too fast, and continuing to show those who look at the Henokiens with curiosity and interest, how family business is a model for the future.

The presentation of the two new members of the Association, the Italian companies Grondona (manufacturer of biscuits) founded in 1820 and the company Luxardo (manufacturer of liqueurs) founded in 1821.

Andrea Grondona : « you cannot name the Grondona Biscottificio without immediatly thinking of one of our sweet products which have become iconic over time as the Lagaccio, the real biccotto baked and cooked twice, rough and fragrant, or canestrelli, which have the rich consistency of simplicity. The Grondona biscuit factory is a source of pride for the Liguria region and for Italy which it represents with its products throughout the world ».

Piero Luxardo : « During its long history, Luxardo has produced many different types of liqueurs and distillates, from the more traditional to more innovative ones. Sambuca, Limoncello and Amaretto represent the core range of the most traditional Italian liqueurs, Today Luxardo exports its specialities in over 93 different countries worldwide, whilst in the domestic market it is leader in the confectionary and gourmet market, with a wide range of alcoholic aromas and preserves and jams.

The presentation of a video prepared by all the Japanese members who, not having been able to travel to Europe, wished to express their friendly support to all the other members.

the nomination of Willem van Eeghen, successively President of the Henokiens (2014-2017) and Vice President (2018-2021), Honorary President of the Association.

The next Henokiens General Meeting will take place during the 2022 Henokiens Congress which will be organized in italy.

Presentation by European Family Businesses of the futures challenges for Family Businesses

Following the General Meeting, Jesús Casado, Secretary General of European Family Businesses, an organization bringing together family business associations from different countries of the European Union, made a presentation entitled « Defending your business, Securing Continuity ».

10th Edition of the Leonardo da Vinci Prize

The Leonardo da Vinci Prize co-founded by the Henokiens Association and Château du Clos Lucé, has been awarded this year to the French company Groupe SEB, world leader in the field of small domestic equipment. Since1930, the company has adopted a mass production model and has experienced strong growth by marketing reliable and innovative products. The Group invented the Cocotte-Minute pressure cooker in 1953, which marked the beginning of a series of innovations at the cutting edge of technology and perfectly suited to the new consumer trends of the time. SEB gradually broadened its activities by introducing new household appliancesand acquiring rival companies such as Moulinex/Krups in 2001 and the Chinese group Supor in 2007. Today, the company has a portfolio of 31 powerful and complementary brands, which are the pillars of its profitable and sustainable growth strategy(Tefal, Rowenta, Moulinex, Krups, Seb, Calor, WMF, Supor, to name a few). It employs 33,000 people at 40 different industrial sites, of which 10 in France,and is established in over 50 countries. Groupe SEB, with its global headquarters in Écully, near Lyon, had a turnover of 6.94 billion euros in 2020.

The ceremony took place on 28 October 2021 in Lyon. The Trophy was presented to Mr. Thierry de la Tour d'Artaise, Chief Executive Officer of Groupe SEB, by Mr. Patrick Martin, Deputy President of Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF) and Mr. Michel Barnier, former French minister and Brexit negociator at the European commission in the presence of the vice President of the Henokiens Association, Willem van Eeghen and François Saint Bris, President of Château du Clos Lucé-Parc Leonardo da Vinci.

Presentation of research from EDHEC Family Business Research Centre

The ceremony award of the Leonardo da Vinci Prize continued with a presentation by Ms. Rania Labaki, Director of EDHEC Family Business Research Center of the study "Historical values, social and environmental responsibilities: the new generation of family businesses is leading the way" realized for ther 10th anniversary of the Leonardo da Vinci Prize at the initiative of its co-founders, the Henokiens Association and Château du Clos Lucé.

Following her presentation, Ms. Labaki moderated a round table in which three members of the Association participated, from left to right, Olivier Passot (Revol), Jeroen van Eeghen (Van Eeghen Group) et Emmanuel Viellard (VMC).

Porcelaine, member of the Henokiens Association

The Henokiens visited the company REVOL, manufacturer of culinary porcelain established in the department of Drôme since its creation in 1768. For nine generations, the company has been run by the same family whose origins date back to the 17th.

Throughout the 19th century, the company mainly manufactured domestic products and in particular bowls, dishes and soup tureens, but also many bottles intended either for alcohol or for the preservation of food liquids: oil, milk, water, etc...

Gradually the manufacturing evolved towards more sophisticated products and in particular gifts decorated, at the same time, the company launched itself in the market of the promotional object during the first half of the 20th century. 1980s, Revol has resolutely evolved towards the hotel market, forging partnerships with recognized Chefs and offering this rapidly evolving market, innovative culinary solutions.

The beginning of the 2000s marked the entry into the world for Revol of the « retail » and the big stores. Revol since then has the ambition to become an art brand of the professional table and the general public and also the leader of custom made products for luxury brands (bottles, candles…). Today the company employs 250 people on a single site, generates 55% of its turnover in the hotel industry and exports 72% of its production to 84 countries.