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O Canada! Family businesses flourishing in the True North (infographic)

June 30, 2015

A few exceptions aside, what is striking about many of Canada's largest family businesses is that they are little known abroad. While these domestically-focused firms have been striving so far, it remains to be seen how they will perform if Canada's economy trips up.

Family businesses are key drivers of Canada’s economy, accounting for at least 45% of GDP, and numbering among them many of the country’s top firms, including global powerhouses such as Thomson Reuters and Bombardier.

Fourth-gen Paul Sobey appointed chancellor at Saint Mary’s University

October 30, 2014

Canadian fourth-gen Paul Sobey, of the eponymous multi-billion-dollar family empire, is following in the footsteps of his father, becoming chancellor of Nova Scotia’s Saint Mary’s University.

Canadian fourth-gen Paul Sobey, of the eponymous multi-billion-dollar family empire, is following in the footsteps of his father, becoming chancellor of Nova Scotia’s Saint Mary’s University.

Sobey retired as president and chief executive of Empire Company, parent of supermarket giant Sobeys Inc, late last year, having been at the helm since 1998.

Lawton's Drugs fourth gen announces retirement

January 10, 2014

Canadian fourth gen Rob Sobey has announced he is retiring as chief executive and president of Lawton's Drugs, an operating division of the eponymous family business, Sobeys Inc.

Canadian fourth gen Rob Sobey has announced he is retiring as chief executive and president of Lawton's Drugs, an operating division of the eponymous family business, Sobeys Inc.

Sobey, 47, who has worked in the family firm for 32 years, says his decision will allow him more time to focus on his philanthropy and outside business interests, which include his role on the board of private investment Seafort Capital, alongside his father, Donald.

Family business roundup: German drugmaker and Canadian holding company see growth

September 14, 2012

The family behind Canada’s Empire Company has seen an increase in revenues for the first quarter of the fiscal year, while Germany’s Grunenthal has been buoyed by a huge rise in its half-yearly earnings.

Empire, the holding company controlled by the Sobey family, said on 13 September that sales for the three months ending 4 August rose by 9.7% to $4.56 billion (€3.5 billion).

Family business roundup: Empire, Chow Tai Fook grow, while Paris Orleans and Fiat see falls

July 3, 2012

Some of the largest and most famous family businesses in the world, such as Canada’s Empire Company, Hong Kong’s Chow Tai Fook and the Rothschild family’s Paris Orleans, reported vastly contrasting results in the last week.

Empire Company, the holding group controlled by the Sobey family, said on 28 June that sales rose to $16.25 billion (€12.91 billion) for the year ending 5 May 2012, up from around $15.9 billion the previous fiscal year.

Family business roundup: Antofagasta, Empire and Wacker see growth

March 14, 2012

Be it in North America, South America or Europe, a number of family businesses have cemented their positions this week by reporting positive results for fiscal 2011.

Chilean mining company Antofagasta, controlled by the Luksic family, said on 13 March that preliminary sales for full-year 2011 rose to $6.07 billion (€4.64 billion), up from $4.57 billion the year before.