Arison Investments
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Investment management, Holding company |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Ted Arison |
Key people | Shari Arison (owner) |
| Products | Investments in food technology, healthcare, sustainable transportation, education, real estate, artificial intelligence and robotics, circular economy |
| Owner | Shari Arison |
Arison Investments Ltd., serving as the investment branch of the Arison Group, operates as a global holding company under the ownership of Shari Arison. Its investment portfolio encompasses sectors such as food technology, healthcare, sustainable transportation, education, real estate, artificial intelligence and robotics, alongside the circular economy.
History
Established in 1991 by Ted Arison, the founder of Carnival Cruise Lines, leadership of Arison Investments transitioned to Shari Arison in 1999. Up until 2018, the firm held significant shares in prominent Israeli enterprises including Bank Hapoalim, Shikun & Binui, and Salt of the Earth, gradually divesting these assets through transactions completed in 2018 and 2019.
By 2022, Arison Investments maintained a 5.62% ownership in Bank Hapoalim. The company’s investment approach is diversified and emphasizes sustainable impact across various asset categories—from conventional equities to pioneering ventures—aligned with objectives in social responsibility and environmental stewardship within food technology, healthcare, mobility solutions, education, real estate, AI/robotics, and circular economy fields.
Mergers and acquisitions
In its early years, Arison Investments acquired Orlev and Orbond (a gypsum wall manufacturer) in 1991. The following years saw the purchase of Nirlat in 1993 and LR Electronics along with Oryam Construction in 1994.
By 1995, the company broadened its portfolio to include banking and telecommunications through investments in Bank Hapoalim and Eurocom Mobile. The acquisition of Shikun & Binui, a major infrastructure and real estate firm, took place in 1996 while Orlev was divested.
In 1997, acquisitions included Eurocom Communications and Mirabilis; however, control of Bank Hapoalim was transferred to the Arison-Dankner Group alongside other partners. The next year involved acquiring Bio Medical Instruments while divesting from Orbond, Nirlat, Oryam, and Mirabilis.
The establishment of the Shari Arison Family Office (SAFO) occurred in Miami in 2004 under CEO Efrat Peled. By 2005, Eurocom Communication and Eurocom Mobile were sold.
In 2007, Arison Investments increased its stake in Shikun & Binui by purchasing employee shares, regained majority control over Bank Hapoalim, and acquired Israel Salt Industries—later renamed Salt of the Earth. The subsequent year marked the launch of Miya, an international enterprise dedicated to enhancing urban water efficiency.
Shari Arison introduced The Doing Good Model in 2009 to integrate value-driven business practices and philanthropy throughout the Arison Group’s public and private entities. Bio Medical Instruments was sold off in 2010.
From 2012 onward, SAFO expanded into impact investing. In 2017, The Doing Good Model company was founded with David Arison appointed as CEO to embed values into corporate operations.
After more than twenty years as a controlling shareholder, Arison Investments divested Shikun & Binui to the Saidoff Group in 2018 and lowered its holdings in Bank Hapoalim. In 2019, Salt of the Earth was sold to Fortissimo Capital; Miya was acquired by private equity firm Bridgepoint for $260 million; LR Electronics was also divested.
Since 2019, Arison Investments has concentrated on impact investments that align with global sustainable development goals (SDGs), ESG criteria, and The Doing Good Model (DGM), reinforcing its role as a leader in sustainable corporate growth strategies.
External links
- Arison Investments – official company site
- Arison Group – official corporate website