Family-owned businesses come in all sizes and operate in a wide variety of industries. So, the challenges they face are similar in most ways to those of their non-family peers and rivals.

Rising costs, particularly for energy; recruiting and retaining talented staff; changing legal and regulatory requirements; and general economic uncertainty all weigh heavily on families running their own businesses. In that sense, they are no different than any other enterprise.

But families obviously display different interpersonal and professional dynamics in the workplace. Leadership succession can be fraught. And governance issues may rankle more than they do elsewhere.

But as was made clear during a recent NJBIZ virtual panel discussion on family businesses, such entities enjoy some advantages. As one expert pointed out, these entities can blend traditional customer relationships with new technologies, giving them a competitive advantage. And unlike publicly traded companies, they can focus on long-term growth rather than quarterly results. Being free from the pressure to make quarterly numbers can help when navigating economic downturns and building multigenerational success.

The businesses profiled below arguably represent model organizations. They have met the challenges and taken advantage of the opportunities unique to such companies. Many have been thriving for decades and appear well-positioned to continue operating at a high level for many years to come. In that sense, they represent a critical backbone of New Jersey’s economy.

Keep all of that in mind as you read through the profiles, which are presented alphabetically. As always, NJBIZ welcomes your reactions – positive and negative – to the choices presented here. And please let us know if we missed a business that deserves recognition.

– Jeffrey Kanige
Email: [email protected]

Methodology

The In the Lead and Power Lists are compiled by the NJBIZ editorial staff based on our reporting throughout the past year with input from experts in a variety of fields and recommendations from our readers. The staff looks for people who have gained public attention – and perhaps acclaim – for their professional accomplishments and public service. Each list identifies individuals who, through their efforts, are helping to make New Jersey a better place to live, work and do business. Honorees are not necessarily better at their jobs than others in their profession, but they have contributed meaningfully to the advancement of the public interest through their work and/or community service.

In the Lead 2026: Family-Owned Businesses: