Hermes is a luxury fashion brand that is renowned for its iconic Birkin and Kelly bags. The brand has been around since the 19th century and has become a symbol of sophistication and elegance. However, many people are not aware of the ownership structure of Hermes.
History:
The history of Hermes dates back to 1837 when Thierry Hermes started making horse harnesses for the wealthy in Paris. The brand later expanded into other leather goods such as bags, belts, and wallets. In the early 20th century, the brand started creating scarves and ties, which became popular among high-end fashion enthusiasts.
Today, Hermes has a global presence with stores in major cities around the world. Its products are highly coveted due to their quality craftsmanship and timeless designs.
Ownership:
Hermes is a publicly traded company on the Paris stock exchange. However, it is not a typical publicly traded company as most of its shares are owned by members of the same family.
The Dumas family has been involved in Hermes for over 100 years. Emile-Maurice Hermès, who was the grandson of Thierry Hermès, brought his brothers into the business in 1922. Since then, members of the Dumas family have held key positions within the company.
Currently, Axel Dumas serves as CEO while Pierre-Alexis Dumas holds the position of artistic director. They are both descendants of Thierry Hermes.
The family owns over 70% of Hermes shares through various holding companies such as H51 SAS and H3 SAS. This ownership structure ensures that management decisions are made with a long-term perspective rather than just focusing on short-term profits.
Controversy:
In recent years, there have been controversies surrounding Hermes’ ownership structure. In 2010, LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) purchased a 20% stake in Hermes, which caused concern among the Dumas family.
The family accused LVMH of trying to take over the company and filed a lawsuit against them. The case was settled in 2014, with LVMH agreeing to sell its stake in Hermes.
This incident highlighted the importance of maintaining control over the ownership structure of luxury brands. Many other luxury brands such as Chanel and Prada are also family-owned and have similar ownership structures to ensure that their heritage and legacy are preserved.
Conclusion:
In summary, Hermes is a publicly traded company with the majority of its shares owned by members of the Dumas family. This ownership structure has allowed the brand to maintain its heritage and long-term perspective.
However, there have been controversies surrounding its ownership in recent years. Regardless, Hermes remains one of the most iconic luxury brands in the world, known for its quality craftsmanship and timeless designs.