Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

Founded in 1984 by a small group of Vermont gardeners, Gardener’s Supply Company has grown into a gardening business serving millions of customers nationwide via its own manufacturing facility, where it makes many of its products.  In 2009, Gardener’s Supply became 100 percent employee owned, and in 2014 became a certified B Corporation to highlight its commitment to social and environmental responsibility, transparency, and accountability.  With a mission to use gardening to build community and make the world a better place, Gardener’s Supply donates 8 percent of its pre-tax profits to programs and organizations that use gardening to improve people's lives and the health of our environment.  The business also founded and supports the Intervale Center and Company Farm, a plot besides its headquarters where it grows hundreds of pounds of potatoes to donate to people in need.

Based in Austin, Zephyr Environmental Corporation is a full-service environmental, health and safety firm offering consulting, training, and data systems services.  In 2010, Zephyr became an ESOP company.  With 5 employees when the company started in 1994, it now has 80 employee owners in four cities and is credited with performing over 5,100 projects for hundred of clients.

Lewis Tree Service provides vegetation management services to utilities and governments, including electric cooperatives.  In 2000, it became an 100 percent employee-owned company.  Founded in 1938 as Monroe Tree Surgeons, a residential tree and landscaping company, Lewis Tree Service has grown to include 2,400 employees and has won The National ESOP Association’s annual awards including National ESOP Company of the Year in 2005. Read more about Lewis Tree Service...

Founded in Indianapolis in 1948 selling just chicken, eggs and butter, MacFarland Foods has expanded into a full-line distributor selling over 5,000 products.  In 2009, the company became 100 percent employee-owned, making it Indiana's largest 100 percent employee-owned food distributor.  Its Indianapolis facility has over 195 employee-owners who serve cities across Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Read more about MacFarland Foods...

With nearly 3,000 employees working from its headquarters in Milwaukee or its 100 other offices across the United States, Europe and Asia, Baird ranks as one of the nation’s largest employee-owned companies. Founded in 1919, the financial services company provides investment banking, private equity, and equity research services to institutions and corporations around the world. It also supports a foundation, which made more than $3 million in grants in 2013 to nonprofits working in its four focus areas: education, health and human services, the arts, and diversity. Read more about Baird...