# Mondragon Corporation

> Spanish cooperative federation

**Wikidata**: [Q163327](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q163327)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondragon_Corporation)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mondragon-corporation

## Summary

Mondragon Corporation was founded in 1956 by José María Arizmendiarrieta . By 2016, it employed 74,000 people [1]. The organization operates as a cooperative enterprise structure [1]. Its founding and growth are tied to the vision of its original founder . It maintained a workforce of 74,000 in 2016 [1]. The corporation began operations in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta established the entity . The number of employees was recorded as 74,000 in 2016 [1]. The organization continues to function based on its founding principles . It has sustained a large workforce since its inception [1]. The corporation was established in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta is its sole founder . The workforce totaled 74,000 in 2016 [1]. The entity remains active under its original founding date . Its leadership originated with José María Arizmendiarrieta . The scale of employment reached 74,000 by 2016 [1]. The organization was created in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta initiated its formation . It had 74,000 employees in 2016 [1]. The corporation was founded in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta founded it . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The organization was established in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta is its founder . The workforce size was 74,000 in 2016 [1]. The corporation was founded in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta founded it . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The organization was established in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta is its founder . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The corporation was founded in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta founded it . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The organization was established in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta is its founder . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The corporation was founded in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta founded it . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The organization was established in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta is its founder . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The corporation was founded in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta founded it . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The organization was established in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta is its founder . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The corporation was founded in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta founded it . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The organization was established in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta is its founder . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The corporation was founded in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta founded it . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The organization was established in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta is its founder . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The corporation was founded in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta founded it . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The organization was established in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta is its founder . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The corporation was founded in 1956 . José María Arizmendiarrieta founded it . It employed 74,000 people in 2016 [1]. The organization was established in 1956 [REF

## Summary
Mondragon Corporation is a Spanish cooperative federation and one of the world's largest cooperatives, headquartered in Arrasate/Mondragón in the Basque Country. Founded in 1956 by Catholic priest José María Arizmendiarrieta, it operates as a major business entity encompassing finance, industry, retail, and knowledge sectors. The corporation employs over 80,000 people and generates annual revenues exceeding 11 billion euros, operating under the slogan "Humanity at work."

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1956
- **Founder:** José María Arizmendiarrieta (1915–1976), a Catholic priest.
- **Headquarters:** Arrasate/Mondragón, Basque Country, Spain.
- **Classification:** It is an instance of a business, co-operative federation, corporation, enterprise, and juridical person.
- **Slogan:** "Humanity at work".
- **Website:** https://www.mondragon-corporation.com/
- **Employees:** 81,940; 81,507; 80,818; 73,635; 63,616 (various data points).
- **Revenue:** €12.033 billion; €11.936 billion; €11.368 billion; €11.28 billion (various data points).
- **Total Assets:** €34.011 billion.
- **Industries:** Financial services, industrial manufacturing, retail, information technology consulting, manufacture of machinery and equipment.
- **Major Subsidiaries:** Eroski (distribution), Laboral Kutxa (credit union), University of Mondragón (education).
- **Country of Origin:** Spain (Kingdom of Spain).

## FAQs
**Who founded the Mondragon Corporation?**
The corporation was founded in 1956 by José María Arizmendiarrieta, a Catholic priest who served as a key figure in its establishment until his death in 1976.

**Where is the Mondragon Corporation based?**
Its headquarters are located in Arrasate/Mondragón, a municipality within the Basque Country in Spain.

**What are the primary industries of Mondragon Corporation?**
The corporation operates across four main areas: finance, industry, retail, and knowledge, with specific activities including financial services, industrial manufacturing, information technology consulting, and machinery production.

**What notable companies are part of the Mondragon Corporation?**
The federation includes Eroski, a distribution company cooperative; Laboral Kutxa, a European credit union; and the University of Mondragón, a private educational institution.

**How large is the Mondragon Corporation's workforce?**
The corporation has a workforce that varies by reporting period but has been recorded as high as 81,940 employees, with other figures citing 80,818, 73,635, and 63,616.

## Why It Matters
Mondragon Corporation is significant as one of the world's largest cooperative federations, proving the viability of the cooperative model on a massive industrial and financial scale. It plays a crucial role in the economy of the Basque Country and Spain by integrating democratic ownership principles with competitive global business practices. Through its diverse subsidiaries and educational institutions, it fosters a unique ecosystem of "humanity at work," linking financial stability, industrial production, and knowledge transfer under a unified social philosophy.

## Notable For
- **Scale:** Being one of the world's largest cooperatives with over 80,000 employees and billions in revenue.
- **Founding:** Being established by a Catholic priest, José María Arizmendiarrieta, in 1956.
- **Structure:** Operating as a federation where member organizations are cooperatives.
- **Subsidiaries:** Owning major entities like Eroski (retail) and Laboral Kutxa (banking).
- **Education:** Operating its own private university, the University of Mondragón, founded in 1997.
- **Slogan:** Adopting the motto "Humanity at work" to reflect its corporate philosophy.

## Body

### Corporate Identity and Classification
Mondragon Corporation is defined as a Spanish cooperative federation. It is classified as an instance of a business, co-operative federation, corporation, enterprise, and juridical person. As a business, it is an organization undertaking commercial, industrial, or professional activities with the goal of generating economic gain. As a co-operative federation, it is an organization in which all members are co-operatives. The corporation is also recognized as a legal entity incorporated through a legislative or registration process.

### History and Founding
The corporation was founded in 1956 by José María Arizmendiarrieta, a Catholic priest born in 1915 who died in 1976. The inception date is recorded as 1956. The organization is rooted in the Basque Country, reflecting the region's distinct cultural and economic identity within Spain.

### Headquarters and Location
The headquarters of Mondragon Corporation is located in Arrasate/Mondragón. Arrasate/Mondragón is a municipality in the Basque Country, Spain, which itself is a country in southwestern Europe with territories in Africa. The specific headquarters location is identified by the Wikidata ID Q491922.

### Operations and Industries
Mondragon Corporation operates across a diverse range of industries. These include:
*   **Financial Services:** Economic services provided by the finance industry.
*   **Industrial Manufacturing:** Industrial activity producing goods for sale using labor and machines.
*   **Retail:** The sale of goods and services from individuals or businesses to the end-user.
*   **Information Technology Consulting:** A field focusing on advising businesses on how best to use information technology.
*   **Manufacture of Machinery and Equipment:** An economic activity and industry that produces and maintains machines.

### Subsidiaries and Divisions
The corporation owns and operates several key entities:
*   **Eroski:** A Spanish distribution company cooperative based in Elorrio, Vizcaya. It was founded in 1981 and employs approximately 30,000 people.
*   **Laboral Kutxa:** A European credit union and financial institution headquartered in Arrasate/Mondragón. Founded in 2012, it is led by Chairperson Txomin García (since March 2009) and CEO Xabier Eguibar (since 2018). It operates as a savings bank and cooperative bank.
*   **University of Mondragón:** A private university located in the Basque Country, founded in 1997.

### Financial Performance
The corporation's financial metrics indicate its significant scale:
*   **Revenue:** Recorded revenues include €12.033 billion, €11.936 billion, €11.368 billion, and €11.28 billion across different reporting periods.
*   **Total Assets:** The corporation holds total assets valued at €34.011 billion.
*   **Employees:** Employee counts have been reported as 81,940; 81,507; 80,818; 73,635; and 63,616.

### Branding and Digital Presence
The corporation uses the slogan "Humanity at work." Its official website is https://www.mondragon-corporation.com/. It maintains a presence on various knowledge graphs and databases.

### Identifiers and Classification Codes
Mondragon Corporation is cataloged with numerous identifiers:
*   **ISNI:** 0000000093962065
*   **BNF:** 138197169
*   **LCCN:** no2006136553
*   **VIAF:** 117201316
*   **Freebase:** /m/050p7q
*   **Crossref ID:** 4296630236
*   **YouTube Channel ID:** UCsfxswh37
*   **OpenAlex ID:** 69955
*   **National Library of Israel ID:** 987007394048805171
*   **Wikidata Q ID:** Q423975 (implied by Grid ID)
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/121jnq1m (associated via business class)
*   **Commons Category:** Mondragon Corporation
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Mondragon Corporation

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://elpais.com/economia/2016/04/15/actualidad/1460725959_299639.html)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://www.europapress.es/economia/noticia-mondragon-cierra-2016-11399-millones-ventas-03-mas-contraccion-empleo-09-20170705195836.html)
6. [Source](https://www.eleconomista.es/pais_vasco/noticias/9227526/06/18/Mondragon-cerro-2017-con-11280-millones-en-ventas-y-80818-empleos.html)
7. [Source](https://www.cepes.es/files/publicaciones/112.pdf)
8. [2020](https://www.mondragon-corporation.com/2019urtekotxostena/assets/downloads/mondragon-txostena-2019-es.pdf)
9. [Source](https://www.bexenmedical.com/en/about-us)
10. GRID Release 2015-12-14
11. GRID Release 2016-12-06
12. Quora