Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Family Business Trivia Question 2

According to a list compiled by Family Business Magazine, what is America's oldest family business?

a. The Seaside Inn and Cottages
b. Saunderskill Farms
c. Zildjian Cymbal Co.
d. Shirley Plantation

The answer is C, Zildjian Cymbal Co.

Exisiting since 1623, the company was founded 14 generations ago in Constantinople by an alchemist named Avedis I, who discovered an extremely musical metal alloy to create powerful, durable cymbals. The sultan named him “Zildjian,” Armenian for “cymbalsmith.” The family arrived in the U.S. in 1929, in time for Avedis Zildjian III to establish ties with hot, rising jazz drummers. His son Armand (1921-2002) created the company’s modern factory. Today his daughters Craigie (CEO) and Debbie (VP-human resources) are Zildjian’s first women leaders in its long history. The other three business are also among the oldest: The Seaside Inn and Cottages founded in 1667; Saunderskill Farms in 1680; and Shirley Plantation in 1638. You can check out the whole list here: http://www.familybusinessmagazine.com/oldestcos.html

Stay curious,
Team ARC

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