Hermes, the French luxury fashion house known for its iconic Birkin and Kelly bags, is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. The company has been around for over 180 years, and it has a rich history that spans generations.
But who is the owner of Hermes? Let’s take a closer look.
The Hermes Family
The story of Hermes begins in 1837 when Thierry Hermes opened his first shop in Paris. The brand quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality leather goods and accessories. Over time, the company grew and passed down through generations of the Hermes family.
Today, the family still owns a significant portion of the company. In fact, over 70% of Hermes is owned by family members, making it one of the few major luxury brands that are still controlled by their founding families.
The Dumas Family
While the Hermes family still owns a large stake in the company, there are also other shareholders, including members of the Dumas family. Jean-Louis Dumas was appointed as CEO in 1978 and played an instrumental role in expanding and modernizing the brand.
Dumas remained at the helm until 2006 when he passed away. Since then, his son Pierre-Alexis Dumas has taken on an important role within the company as artistic director.
Publicly Traded
While much of Hermes is still owned by families with ties to its founders, some shares are publicly traded on various stock exchanges. This means that anyone can buy shares in Hermes if they are interested in owning a piece of this iconic brand.
However, even with publicly traded shares available, control over decision-making still rests with those who hold significant stakes in the company – namely, members of both the Hermes and Dumas families.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are many shareholders in Hermes, the company is still largely controlled by members of the founding Hermes and Dumas families. This family-owned structure has allowed the brand to maintain its unique identity and commitment to quality over the years. And with a new generation of family members stepping up to take on important roles within the company, it seems that Hermes will continue to thrive for many years to come.