The 2024 Henokiens Annual Congress which took place in Nara (Japan) from 24 September to 27 September 2024 saw the following higlights :

HENOKIENS ASSOCIATION GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The key points :
 
SPEECH PRESIDENT ALBERTO MARENGHI
The President of the Henokiens Alberto Marenghi asked the members to observe a minute's silence in memory of three members of the Association who had passed away since the last General Assembly, Michel Viellard, Antoine D'Hondt and Giuseppe Aldinio-Colbachini. President Marenghi then presented a report on the Association's development, including the introduction of procedures to control growth while preserving the spirit and the roots of the Henokiens, the essential reasons for membership. To this end, the President  proposed a charter to the members, describing in detail the identity of the Henokiens, the reasons for becoming a member and the commitments of members. This charter, new “must” for all candidate companies,  was unanimously adopted.

CONGRESS 2025
Bruno Bobone (Pinto Basto) presents to the members the program for the Congress 2025, to be held in Lisbon between September 25 and 27, 2025. The program includes the presentation of the 14th Leonardo da Vinci Prize to a Portuguese family business, visits of the Champalimaud Foundation, a Portuguese institution focused on biomedical research in the fields of cancer and neuroscience, and the NOVA University in Lisbon, which is specialized in disciplines such as social sciences, humanities, business and technology.

THE HENOKIENS « COMPENDIUM » 
The Association's “Compendium” (writing and compiling of case studies on Henokiens companies), which currently comprises 25 case studies, all available on the Henokikens website, will be completed by 2 new cases Acetaia Giusti and J.&L. Lobmeyr which will be published after their presentation on October 18 and 19, 2024 at the « Family Entreprise Day » an annual event organized jointly by INSEAD and the Henokiens Association.

VISIT OF NAKAGAWA MASASHICHI SHOTEN MEMBER OF THE  HENOKIENS
Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten was established in 1716 in Nara Prefecture. Since then, it has continued to deal in handspun and handwoven ramie fabric, and commemorates the 300th anniversary of its establishment in 2016. The products sold by Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten are primarily household goods that were conceived by applying Japanese craftsmanship and design. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten is discerning new sense and wisdom from time-honored Japanese culture and traditions, to produce numerous high quality products designed to fit naturally into a modern lifestyle. An example : the company’s mainstay product, “Hana Fukin,” a dish cloth conceived by recognizing the water-absorbing and quick-drying functionality of mosquito net material, a specialty product of Nara. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten also operates a consulting business specific to the craftsmanship industry in Japan. In 2007, it established its corporate vision to “Revitalizing Japanese craft!” by supporting the rehabilitation of local small and medium-sized companies and fostering vibrant businesses in production areas around the country (local “star” businesses). With a focus on makers to whom Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten has provided its expertise, the company aspires to build a mechanism for preserving Japanese craftsmanship for posterity by bringing about a chain reaction in the revitalization of surrounding communities and the endurance of entire production areas.

VISIT OF THE COMPANY GEKKEIKAN MEMBER OF THE HENOKIENS
Founded in In 1637, Gekkeikan, which means “ crown of laurel”, was in 1911 the company first in Japan to innovate by introducing sake in glass bottles with no added preservatives. Gekkeikan's research efforts and expertise reached such a level that product labels proudly claim: “No preservatives added - 1st  priority being quality.” From 1950s to the 1960s, Gekkeikan became Japan's leading sake producer and the world's best-known to sake. The traditions of taste and quality initiated centuries ago by the founder continue to embody the spirit of Gekkeikan sake. 

VISIT NARA'S TOURIST HIGHLIGHTS
The Henokiens present in Nara visited the city's two major historical sites: Todaiji Temple and Kasugataisha Schrine.

PROGRAM NEXT GENS HENOKIENS
The Next Gens Hénokiens met the founding family of Nitendo at Marufukuro, the company's former headquarters, before enjoying dinner in the famous historic Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu hotel building, located in Kyoto's unspoilt district with views of the city's most emblematic landmarks.

13th EDITION OF THE LEONARDO DA VINCI PRIZE
The Prize was awarded to Mr. Toichi Takenaka Honorary Chairman of Takenaka Corporation, a member of the 17th generation of the Takenaka family, by Mr Shunichi Tokura, Commissioner of the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs, accompanied by Ms. Naomi Kawase, a major figure in the city of Nara, Mr. Alberto Marenghi, President of the Association les Hénokiens and Mr. François Saint Bris, President of the Château du Clos Lucé-Parc Leonardo da Vinci.

Takenaka Corporation is a privately held general contractor that is headed by the 17 th generation descendant of the founder who started the business in 1610. Specialized in building construction with an emphasis on its Integrated Design-Build System, the company, which was established in Kobe in 1899 by the founder’s 14th generation descendant, is one of Japan's leading providers of architectural, engineering and construction services. Under its Management Philosophy, “Contribute to society by passing on the best works to future generations”, Takenaka has built some of Japan’s most iconic buildings, including the Tokyo Tower, Nippon Budokan and Tokyo Dome. The company, which operates in Japan and globally, employs around 14,000 people and posted consolidated sales of 10.2 billioneuros in 2023.