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How the Beretta Family Built a 500-Year Gun Empire
Description
In this episode of Family Business Stories, Lucas and Luna explore how the Beretta family has kept their gun-making business alive for nearly 500 years — making them one of the world's oldest continuously operating family enterprises. They trace the company's founding in 1526 in a small Italian village, its survival through wars and industrial revolutions, and the key decisions that allowed each generation to pass control intact. Specific focus on the family's governance structure — particularly how they avoided the 'third-generation curse' by training heirs outside the business and using a family constitution. Also discussed: how Beretta balanced tradition with modern manufacturing, and the role of diversification into clothing and accessories. A look at what other family firms can learn from an empire that started making arquebus barrels and now supplies NATO.