Media Covers Many Employee Ownership Events

Employee ownership is often covered by various news organizations, but the list was especially long—and interesting—this week. Here is a selection:

Bob Moore, who founded the employee-owned company Bob's Red Mill, won the Golden Spurtle, the prize for the winner of the World Porridge Making Championship. Moore sold his business to an ESOP in 2010.

Five employee-owned beer breweries gathered to celebrate together, in an event covered by the Coloradan. Odell Brewing hosted the event, and CEO Wynne Odell said, "This is a celebration of employee ownership of breweries . . . Odell, Deschutes, New Belgium, Left Hand, and Harpoon have committed ownership to the people who work at the company."

An article by Curt Harler in Security Information Watch notes that "ESOPs are becoming increasingly viable in the security services industry; in fact, three major firms have already successfully enacted one — Pro-Tech Design and Low Voltage Contractors, both of Minneapolis, and Tech Systems Inc., of Duluth, Ga."

The Insurance Journal covered Marsh Berry's transition to 100% ESOP ownership in an October 13 article, citing CEO John Welper: "For 35 years MarshBerry has consistently broadened ownership in order to use wealth creation as a way to attract and retain talent." He also said that 100% ESOP ownership "can be beneficial to our employees monetarily and through a more rewarding work experience."

A Forbes blog post by Darren Dahl covers the role of employee ownership at Braun Intertec, focusing on how it helped the company weather tough economic times and thrive once they were over. CEO Jon Carlson says, "Everyone loves to be an owner when times are good, but not everyone likes it when things are more challenging. That's what separates out who is more committed and willing to push the company forward."

Over the weekend, the UK's Guardian newspaper ran a story on employee ownership, focusing on the Royal Mail and a grocery chain called Asda.