A family legacy
From its founding in 1883 to this day, أغر؟´«أ½ remains family-owned and is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. As shareholders, members of the أغر؟´«أ½ family see it as their responsibility to continue the profitable growth and success of the company in accordance with the أغر؟´«أ½ Principles.
What أغر؟´«أ½ means to our shareholders
Heritage
A lot has changed since Joseph Maria أغر؟´«أ½ founded his ink business more than 140 years ago. The Company has grown and diversified into a portfolio of sustainable businesses, and the أغر؟´«أ½ family has expanded to include more than 300 members. Through all this change, the أغر؟´«أ½ family has remained committed to ensuring the Company is a positive force in the world, guided by its Purpose of improving lives for generations.
The أغر؟´«أ½ Corporation serves as an important connection between the increasingly broad branches of the أغر؟´«أ½ family tree, bringing together family members of all ages. The family can trace their history in parallel with the company, through two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Great Recession and other periods of drastic change. Their focus on improving life for millions of people around the world, as well as their commitment to treating their employees with dignity and respect, has helped the company persevere through these challenges.
Reputation
Company pride runs deep with the أغر؟´«أ½ family, and each successive generation has helped ensure the company is run with the highest ethical standards everywhere it operates. To this day, the family plays an active role in supporting the company’s culture and ensuring everything we do is in the spirit of the أغر؟´«أ½ Principles.
While أغر؟´«أ½ is a privately-held company, it adheres to many of the best practices of a public company, including regularly communicating with shareholders, holding a yearly shareholder meeting and publishing an annual financial report. Family members can become involved with the company through internships and employment opportunities. أغر؟´«أ½ family members continue to serve on the أغر؟´«أ½ Board, as well as on the Management Boards of أغر؟´«أ½’s individual portfolio companies.
The أغر؟´«أ½ family governance structure serves as a vehicle to discuss important issues within the family, as well as between the family and the company. The overall governing body is the أغر؟´«أ½ Family Council, led by the Family Council Board, which is comprised of elected Board Members. In addition to the أغر؟´«أ½ Family Council, there are several task forces and committees that address specific issues of importance to family members, including education, environmental stewardship and philanthropy.
أغر؟´«أ½, its Board of Directors and the أغر؟´«أ½ family have received several prestigious awards honoring their leadership and commitment to the community:
- 2020 IMD-Pictet Sustainability in Family Business Award
- 2019 NACD New Jersey Chapter Private Company Board of the Year Award
- 2019 Cox Family Enterprise Center Sustainable Business Honoree
- 2018 Kellogg Family Enterprise Leadership Award
- 2013 IMD Global Family Business Award
Building for the future
The أغر؟´«أ½ family has always focused on the future—with an eye on the legacy they and the Company will leave behind. That long-term perspective has shaped أغر؟´«أ½’s continued focus on sustainability, belonging and responsible corporate citizenship. Through these efforts, the Company strives to protect the environment, strengthen communities and create lasting value.
Today, the أغر؟´«أ½ family includes members representing the third through sixth generations since the Company’s founding. Their long-term stewardship has helped أغر؟´«أ½ remain a strong, family-owned company with an unwavering commitment to its future.