The Evergreen Group: Spreading Its Wings

This family business case explores succession in hybrid families in Asia, where founders rarely retire with a clear succession plan and often prefer a coparcenary model, leaving the family susceptible to feuds. The Evergreen Group, one of the largest family-owned conglomerates in Taiwan, with a focus on shipping (Evergreen Marine) and airlines (EVA Air) falls into this category. It was founded in 1968 by Chang Yung-Fa. After his demise in 2016, the family discovered a will declaring the youngest son, who had a passion for flying, the overall Group Chairman and sole heir. In a dramatic turn, his three elder brothers staged a coup, ousting their youngest sibling while the latter was piloting a flight. Not discouraged, the younger son subsequently started his own airline – Taiwan’s third. How did this feud arise, and what side of the family will fly the highest?