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Family business round up: Thai Union Group, Dalian Wanda, H&M, Minor International

By David Braham

Thai Union Frozen Group and Sheffield Wednesday

Dejphon Chansiri, whose family founded and controls the world's largest producer of tuna, Thai Union Frozen Group, has this week acquired 100% of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club.

Thai Union Frozen Group was founded in 1988 and products include John West Tuna. Its chairman and founder is Kraison Chansiri, and his son Thiraphong Chansiri is president.

In a statement made on the club's website, Chansiri said: “I am very excited at the prospect of taking over control.

“I believe this club has huge potential and I can assure all our supporters that I will be working extremely hard to bring the success that I already sense from my short time in your city our supporters so desperately crave.”

The club is currently ninth in the Sky Bet Championship

Dalian Wanda

Following his acquisition spree into Europe last week, China's billionaire Wang Jianlin has announced that his property empire Dalian Wanda will be investing $1 billion in a development near the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia.

Dalian Wanda has said it will be creating a “new Sydney landmark” which will include a luxury hotel and residential and retail outlets.

H&M

Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), the Swedish family behemoth owned by the Persson family, announced its quarterly results this week.

The world's second largest clothing retailer by sales said net profit rose 13% compared to last year to 6.22 billion krona (€665 million) for its fourth quarter ended 30 November.

The company also said it plans to open 400 new stores in 2015, mostly in China and the US.

Family member and company CEO, Karl-Johan Persson said in a press conference on Wednesday: “While we are continuing our long-term investments, at the same time we can see our investments in areas such as online starting to bear fruit.”

Minor International

Minor International, the international hospitality business based in Thailand and run by Heinecke family, has announced this week that is acquiring six hotels in Brazil and Portugal, and the Tivoli Hotels & Resorts brand for Brazil for €168 million.

The investment is Minor's first entry into the European and Latin American markets.

Minor is headed by its founder William Heinecke. His son, John, is vice president of the Minor Food Group and is a director on the board.

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