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* Denotes company whose stock is publicly traded.
Revenue and employment figures are the most recent available.
The ranking from our 2009 list is given in parentheses. (NR) = Not ranked
21 Loews Corp.*(16)
Tisch family
Holding companyNew York, NY
Founded: 1946
Revenues: $14.62 billion
Employees: 18,400
www.loews.com
Laurence Tisch (d. 2003) and his brother Preston “Bob” (d. 2005) took over their parents’ New Jersey hotel and then bought a string of hotels. In 1960, the brothers began diversifying through “value investing.” They took over Loew’s Theaters, an ailing movie chain that they ran until 1985. They closed many of Loew’s urban theaters and sold the land to developers. In 1968, the company bought leading tobacco firm Lorillard. It also acquired oil and gas drilling operations, CNA Financial (a property and casualty insurance firm) and Bulova watches. Loews gained control of CBS in 1986 and sold it in 1995. Larry’s son James, 58, became CEO in 1999. His brother Andrew, 61, and Bob’s son Jonathan, 58, became co-chairman. In 2008, the company sold Bulova and spun off the tobacco operations as a stand-alone business. Bob’s widow, Joan, 84, and Larry’s widow, Wilma, 83, remain major shareholders.
22 Cox Enterprises Inc. (20)
Cox family
Media conglomerateAtlanta, GA
Founded: 1898
Revenues: $14.6 billion
Employees: 60,000
www.coxenterprises.com
Reporter James M. Cox bought the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News in 1898. He went on to acquire newspapers and radio stations. The family began buying cable systems in 1962. Today the company ranks as the third largest cable system operator, serving 6 million customers. It also owns 15 local TV stations and eight daily papers, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Palm Beach Post. It controls AutoTrader.com, an online service that lists used cars. In 1974, control of the company passed to the founder’s daughters, Anne Cox Chambers, 92, and Barbara Cox Anthony. When Barbara died in 2007, she left a 25% stake in the company to her son James Kennedy, 63, who served as CEO from 1987 to 2008. He remains chairman.
23 Carnival Corp.*(24)
Arison family
Cruise line
Miami, FL
Founded: 1972
Revenues: $14.47 billion
Employees: 89,200
www.carnivalcorp.com
Israeli emigrant Ted Arison introduced a new kind of cruise ship that provided music and entertainment for young middle-class passengers. Son Micky, 61, became CEO in 1979 and made a series of acquisitions, buying the luxury cruise businesses of Holland America and Cunard Line. Cunard added the $470 million Queen Victoria in 2007. Today the company has 100 ships that can serve 190,000 passengers. A dozen more ships are scheduled to join the fleet by 2012. Carnival is expanding in Europe, Australia and Asia. The family owns 35% of the stock.
24 Meijer Inc. (22)
Meijer family
Retailing and groceriesGrand Rapids, MI
Founded: 1934
Revenues: $14.25 billion
Employees: 72,200
www.meijer.com
In the Depression, Dutch immigrant Hendrik Meijer bought merchandise on credit and started a grocery store. In 1962, he started a hypermarket that included general merchandise as well as groceries. When Hendrik died in 1964, son Fred, 91, took over and began expanding in Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky. Fred turned over control to sons Doug, 57, and Hank, 60, in 1990, but he remains on the board. Hank is CEO. Today the chain operates 195 locations, including 250,000-square-foot stores that sell apparel, toys and gasoline. Many locations offer banking services and in-store restaurants. Wal-Mart has been competing fiercely, but Meijer is fighting back with more fresh produce and meat departments.
25 Danaher Corp.*(31)
Rales family
Industrial equipmentWashington, DC
Founded: 1981
Revenues: $13.2 billion
Employees: 48,200
www.danaher.com
Steven Rales, 58, and his brother Mitchell, 53, started buying underperforming industrial companies with strong brand names. Supported by junk bonds, the pair bought more than a dozen companies within two years. In 1989, they bought Easco Hand Tools, the maker of tools for Sears’ Craftsman line. Danaher now runs companies in 50 countries that operate in the test and measurement, environmental, dental, life sciences and diagnostics, and industrial technologies segments. In 2011, Danaher paid $6.8 billion to acquire Beckman Coulter, a maker of medical testing equipment. Steven is chairman; Mitchell serves on the board. Together they own 17% of the stock.
26 Reyes Holdings LLC (33)
Reyes family
Food and beverage wholesaler
Rosemont, IL
Founded: 1976
Revenues: $12.8 billion
Employees: 11,100
www.reyesholdings.com
J. Christopher Reyes, 57, and his brother M. Jude Reyes, 54, bought a Schlitz beer distributor in Chicago and then expanded into food and beverage distribution businesses through a series of 60 acquisitions. The beverage group delivers beer to 32,000 accounts across the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Brother David Reyes, 43, heads the beer division. The Martin-Brower division is a major supplier to McDonald’s Corp.; in September 2011, Martin-Brower agreed to acquire 28 international distribution centers from a Brazilian meat processor, Marfrig Alimentos S.A. The Reinhart FoodService unit, added in 2005, serves 40,000 customers, including chain restaurants, sporting venues, nursing homes and hospitals.
27 Enterprise Rent-A-Car Co. (28)
Taylor family
Car rentals and leasingSt. Louis, MO
Founded: 1957
Revenues: $12.6 billion
Employees: 68,000
www.enterprise.com
After he started renting cars, Jack Taylor figured it would be difficult to compete against giants Hertz and Avis. To gain an edge, he began offering low rates to drivers who needed cars while their own vehicles were being repaired. Focusing on body shops and garages, Enterprise spread out from its St. Louis base. Jack’s son Andrew, 63, became CEO in 1991 when sales topped $1 billion. Today Enterprise is the largest car rental company, with 1.1 million vehicles and 7,600 locations. The company’s brands include Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental. Andrew’s daughter Christine Taylor-Broughton, 35, heads business development strategy. Andrew’s sister Jo Ann Taylor Kindle, 61, is president of Enterprise Holdings Foundation, which recently gave $30 million for college scholarships and $4.2 million to the United Way. Jo Ann’s daughter Carolyn Kindle, 34, also works at the company.
28 Fidelity Investments (21)
Johnson family
Financial servicesBoston, MA
Founded: 1946
Revenues: $12.3 billion
Employees: 37,000
www.fidelity.com
Edward C. Johnson II bought Fidelity Fund in 1946 and increased its assets from $3 million to $3 billion in 1972. Son Edward C. (Ned) III, 80, succeeded him. Today the firm is one of the largest mutual fund companies, with $1.5 trillion under management and 20 million investors. In recent years, many funds have delivered mediocre results, but steady returns in bond funds and retirement portfolios have enabled the company to remain a dominant force in 401(k) and other retirement services. Ned’s daughter Abigail, 49, served as portfolio manager from 1988 to 1997, when she took a management position. She is now a board member and president of Fidelity Personal and Workplace Services, which includes retirement plans. Her brother Edward C. Johnson IV, 46, is a board member and vice president of Pembroke Real Estate, the family’s real estate investment business, which oversees 6.7 million square feet of properties. Robert C. Ketterson, 47, husband of Ned’s daughter Elizabeth, 48, is an executive with Volition Capital, which manages $400 million in a Fidelity venture capital unit. The family owns 49% of the company.
29 Marriott International Inc.* (25)
Marriott family
Hotels and casinosBethesda, MD
Founded: 1927
Revenues: $12.04 billion
Employees: 129,000
www.marriott.com
J. Willard Marriott and his wife, Alice, started a root beer stand and later added hot food. In 1929, they began building a regional chain called Hot Shoppe. They opened the first hotel in 1957. Son John, 78, became CEO in 1972 and expanded into airport hotels and food. Now the company has 3,500 properties in 70 countries. Besides Marriott Hotels & Resorts, brands include Renaissance, Fairfield Inn and Ritz Carlton. Hurt by the recession, the company eliminated 1,000 jobs in 2009 and cut costs by changing menus and reducing room amenities. With sales reviving in 2010, Marriott introduced the Edition chain, a boutique luxury brand. The Marriott family owns 30% of the stock.
30 Qualcomm Inc.*(34)
Jacobs family
Wireless communications equipment
San Diego, CA
Founded: 1985
Revenues: $10.99 billion
Employees: 17,500
www.qualcomm.com
Former MIT professor Irwin Jacobs, 77, helped found the company to provide secure wireless transmission. In 1988, he introduced a system to track the location of long-haul truckers. In the 1990s, the CDMA wireless technology was adopted by many mobile phone companies, including AT&T, Motorola and Nokia. The company now has 3,600 patents that are licensed to companies around the world. In 2011 Qualcomm agreed to buy chipmaker Atheros, expanding from its core market in wireless voice technology into chips for smartphones and tablets. Paul E. Jacobs, 48, son of the founder, is CEO and chairman. His brother Jeff, 45, is chief marketing officer.
31 Nordstrom Inc.*(35)
Nordstrom family
Upscale department store chain
Seattle, WA
Founded: 1901
Revenues: $9.7 billion
Employees: 52,000
www.nordstrom.com
Using money that he made in Alaska gold mining, Swedish immigrant John W. Nordstrom started a Seattle shoe store. His sons built the business into the largest independent U.S. shoe chain by 1963. Grandsons Bruce, John and Jim Nordstrom diversified into specialty retailing. The company went public in 1971 and pushed into Southern California. The company developed a reputation for providing impeccable service and attracted loyal customers. In 1988, Nordstrom opened its first East Coast store in Virginia. Today the chain operates 110 Nordstrom stores and 70 Nordstrom Rack off-price outlets. Sales slumped badly during the recession in 2008, but the company has rebounded. In the first quarter of 2011, earnings increased 12% compared to the period a year ago. The founder’s grandsons all retired in 1995. Now the fourth generation runs the company. Blake Nordstrom, 50, is president; Erik, 47, and Peter, 49, hold executive positions and serve on the board.
32 Huntsman Corp.*(NR)
Huntsman family
Chemicals, plastics
Salt Lake City, UT
Founded: 1970
Revenues: $9.25 billion
Employees: 12,000
www.huntsman.com
A lifelong Republican, Jon Huntsman Sr., 74, worked in the Nixon White House before starting a packaging company. Today it is one of the world’s largest chemical producers, with 75 plants in 30 countries. The founder’s son Peter, 48, is CEO. Jon Jr., 51, joined the business in 1982 and rose to vice chairman before leaving in 2001 to become deputy U.S. trade representative for President George W. Bush. Jon Jr. later served as ambassador to China under President Barack Obama before launching a campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2011. The family still owns 18.5% of the stock.
33 SC Johnson & Son Inc. (38)
Johnson family
Home and personal care products
Racine, WI
Founded: 1886
Revenues: $8.96 billion
Employees: 12,000
www.scjohnson.com
Samuel C. Johnson, a carpenter, started selling floor waxes. He left the business to his son Herbert, who began expanding sales worldwide. Over the years, the company made many acquisitions and developed new consumer products. Today the business operates in 110 countries and sells a host of leading brands, including Raid, Glade and Drano. The company constantly reshuffles its brands, selling weak performers and acquiring promising lines. After seeing the Edge shave preparation brand lose market share, the company sold it in 2009. In 2011, SC Johnson acquired Sara Lee’s body care products. Fifth-generation member H. Fisk Johnson, 54, is CEO. His sister Helen Johnson-Leipold, 54, heads Johnson Financial Group. Sister Winifred Johnson-Marquart, 52, is president of Johnson Family Foundation. Their immediate family owns 60% of the company. Descendants of the founder’s daughter own 40%.
34 The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.*(40)
Lauder family
Cosmetics, fragrances, skin care products
New York, NY
Founded: 1944
Revenues: $8.81 billion
Employees: 31,200
www.elcompanies.com
Estée Lauder (d. 2004) began selling skin products that had been developed by her Hungarian uncle. With the help of her husband, Joseph Lauder (d. 1983), she added lipstick and eye shadow. While Joseph managed production, Estée traveled around the country and persuaded leading department stores to carry her brands. Son Leonard, 78, became CEO in 1983. Today the company’s products are sold in 150 countries. The 2008 recession hurt U.S. sales, but the company maintained revenues by expanding abroad. The family owns 77% of the voting stock. Leonard is chairman emeritus. His son William, 50, is executive chairman. Leonard’s nieces Aerin Lauder, 40, and Jane Lauder, 37, serve on the board.
35 JM Family Enterprises Inc. (27)
Moran family
Auto dealerships
Deerfield Beach, FL
Founded: 1969
Revenues: $8.4 billion
Employees: 4,700
www.jmfamily.com
Chicagoan James Moran started with a gas station and began acquiring car dealerships. By 1961, he was featured on the cover of Time magazine and had the biggest Ford franchise in the world. After moving to Florida for his health, he started a distributor that delivered Toyotas to dealers throughout the Southeast. Pat Moran, 65, succeeded her father as CEO and chairman in 1992. She retired in 2007 but has remained on the board. Today the company has the largest volume Lexus retailer in the world. Subsidiaries provide financial services and insurance for the auto industry. When car sales plunged in 2009, the company eliminated 500 jobs and cut pay and benefits. In 2011, JM began offering used-vehicle inspections, serving customers who want to buy cars over the Internet.
36 Campbell Soup Co. (NR)
Dorrance family
Soup
Camden, NJ
Founded: 1869
Revenues: $7.63 billion
Employees: 18,400
www.campbellsoupcompany.com
After Joseph Campbell retired from his canning company in 1894, partner Arthur Dorrance took control. Arthur’s nephew John Dorrance discovered how to condense soup, removing most of the water. That made it easier to ship and enabled Campbell to become one of the first food products to be sold around the country. The family went on to acquire other brands, including Pepperidge Farm, V8 and Swanson. Dorrance descendants still own 42% of the stock. Grandchildren of John Dorrance who serve on the board include Bennett Dorrance, 65, and Charlotte Weber, 67. In recent years, Campbell has reported sluggish sales. U.S. sales of condensed soup dropped 2% in 2010. Wall Street analysts have said that the company needs new blood.
37 Masco Corp.*(30)
Manoogian family
Building materials
Taylor, MI
Founded: 1929
Revenues: $7.59 billion
Employees: 32,500
www.masco.com
Founder Alex Manoogian (d. 1996) started a company that made screws and custom parts for Detroit automakers. In the 1950s, he began producing Delta kitchen faucets. Son Richard, 74, became CEO and chairman in 1968. He acquired makers of cabinets and bathroom equipment. Richard remains chairman. Today the company caters to homebuilders and do-it-yourselfers in the U.S. and Europe. Home Depot accounts for a quarter of its revenues. When homebuilding collapsed during the recession, sales slumped. The company shut 20 plants and laid off 40% of its employees.
38 Stryker Corp.*(47)
Stryker family
Medical products
Kalamazoo, MI
Founded: 1941
Revenues: $7.32 billion
Employees: 20,000
www.strykercorp.com
Dr. Homer Stryker invented a hospital bed that prevented bedsores. By 1959, he had 12 patents. The founder’s son and successor, Lee, died in a plane crash in 1976. Since then non-family CEOs have expanded the company, making acquisitions. As the population ages, the company is increasing its sales of artificial joints and spinal rods. Ronda Stryker, 57, granddaughter of the founder, remains on the board. The family still owns 15% of the stock, but its holdings have been decreasing. Ronda sold $80 million worth of stock in 2009 and 2010. She announced plans to sell about $120 million in 2011.
39 Cablevision Systems Corp.*(45)
Dolan family
Cable TV
Bethpage, NY
Founded: 1973
Revenues: $7.23 billion
Employees: 19,065
www.cablevision.com
Charles Dolan, 84, began a cable television business with 1,500 subscribers on Long Island, N.Y. He expanded, buying systems in 19 states. In the 1990s, Dolan decided to focus on New York City. He sold franchises around the country and invested in upgrading his main business. Today the company provides basic cable, Internet and digital phone service to 5 million customers in the New York area. In 2010, the company bought a system serving 629,000 customers in Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Other holdings include Newsday, a Long Island newspaper, and the IFC channel. In 2010, Cablevision spun off to shareholders a division that includes Radio City Music Hall and the New York Knicks basketball team. The Dolan family controls 70% of the company. James L. Dolan, 54, son of the founder, is CEO. Board members include his brothers Patrick Dolan, 59, and Thomas Dolan, 57. Kristin Dolan, 43, wife of James, is also on the board.
40 Advance Publications Inc. (36)
Newhouse family
Newspaper and magazine publisher
Staten Island, NY
Founded: 1922
Revenues: $7.16 billion
Employees: 27,200
www.advance.net
After buying the Staten Island Advance newspaper, Samuel I. Newhouse acquired papers in New York, New Jersey and Alabama. In 1959, he acquired Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue magazine. When Newhouse died in 1979, his sons Donald, 81, and Samuel Jr. (“Si”), 85, took over. Today Donald runs 25 newspapers, including the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Si oversees the magazine business, which includes the New Yorker and Vanity Fair. Advance also owns cable television company Bright House Cable. The recession took a big toll, and the company was forced to shutter magazines, including Gourmet and Modern Bride. Its cable and Internet businesses remain promising. Steven, 54, Donald’s son, is chairman of Advance.net, the company’s Internet arm, which includes websites for the newspapers. In 2010, the company sold $500 million worth of its stock in cable network Discovery Communications. The money is being used for investments in digital ventures.