Colombia’s Corporate Heritage: The 10 Oldest Companies Still in Operation

These are the oldest companies in Colombia, now considered part of the nation’s industrial heritage. Each started as an entrepreneurial venture and has endured through the decades thanks to constant innovation and sound business practices.

Top 10 Longest-Standing Colombian Companies

Company	Founded	Headquarters	Sector
Harina 3 Castillos (Rafael del Castillo & Co.)	1861	Cartagena	Milling & Food
Manuelita	1864	Cali	Agribusiness (Sugar/Biofuels)
Banco de Bogotá	1870	Bogotá	Banking & Finance
Colseguros	1874	Medellín	Insurance
JGB	1875	Cali	Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
Corona	1881	Caldas, Antioquia	Ceramics & Home Improvement
ETB (Bogotá Telecommunications Company)	1884	Bogotá	Telecommunications
El Espectador	1887	Bogotá	Media & Journalism
Empresa de Energía de Bogotá (GEB)	1889	Bogotá	Energy Distribution
Bavaria	1889	Bogotá	Brewery

Historical Context and Localization Notes

• Harina 3 Castillos: Founded in 1861, it remains the oldest active company in the country. It is a cornerstone of the Caribbean coast’s industrial history.
• Manuelita: A pioneer in the sugar industry, it represents the agricultural backbone of the Valle del Cauca region.
• Bavaria & El Espectador: These are household names in Colombia. Bavaria, founded by Leo Kopp, is the dominant brewery in the country, while El Espectador is one of the oldest and most respected newspapers in the Spanish-speaking world.
• Institutional Presence: Many of these companies (like ETB and Banco de Bogotá) have transitioned from local family ventures to major players in the Latin American market, often through mergers or becoming part of larger conglomerates (e.g., Bavaria is now part of AB InBev).