2015 IMD-Lombard Odier Global Family Business Award

The distinction rewards family businesses that successfully combine their own interests with those of the firm, while at the same time demonstrating awareness of their responsibilities to the community.

Regarded as the highest distinction in its field, the 2015 award went to Bavaria, one of the oldest firms in private hands in the Netherlands. At the twentieth summit of Family Business Network International, which took place last October in Montreux, the Dutch firm was presented with the trophy designed and produced by Chopard.

The latter takes the form of an aluminium tree housed between two plates of glass which is attached to a partially transparent base. It evokes metaphorically the spirit of family enterprise, drawing strength from tradition to project itself more effectively into the future.

Bavaria is Holland’s largest brewer. The company, whose existence dates back to at least 1680, combines an international dimension with local roots. It is now owned and run by the seventh generation of the Swinkels family, which took over the reins in 1764. Present in more than 120 countries, today it employs around 1,000 staff.

November 12, 2015