Luxembourg's oldest establishment has been discovered

According to a new global study by the Payroll Prices platform, the wine and spirits producer Pitz-Schweitzer has been recognised as the oldest family-run business still in operation in Luxembourg. The company was founded in 1840 and has remained in the hands of a single family for almost two centuries. Whilst only 35% of companies worldwide survive to their tenth anniversary, the case of the Luxembourg winemakers demonstrates the exceptional resilience of a business model passed down from generation to generation.

The research methodology required strict criteria to be met: the company must not only continue its operational activities but also remain under the control of the founding family. Experts analysed archived reports and publications in national languages to confirm that a majority stake had been retained. Pitz-Schweitzer passed this test, becoming a symbol of continuity in the economy of the Grand Duchy.

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Set against the global backdrop, Luxembourg appears to be holding its own, although European records for longevity stretch well beyond the 19th century. For example, the oldest family-run business in the UK remains the butcher’s shop RJ Balson & Son, which has been in operation since 1515. Nevertheless, for a financial and industrial hub such as Luxembourg, the preservation of traditional agricultural and distilling businesses over the course of 186 years underscores the importance of local brands to national identity.

The authors of the report note that the closure or sale of a business is often a natural part of staff turnover and retirement; however, the ‘golden age of entrepreneurship’ allows the most stable players to find new niches without losing family control. For Pitz-Schweitzer, the secret to success lies in combining historical heritage with adaptation to modern standards of alcohol production.