Thirty-nine years ago, we held our first annual conference. We had 175 attendees, including my uncle Bernie. Last year we sold out at over 1,900; this year, we were on track to sell out even sooner at over 2,000.
In a story we at the NCEO hear surprisingly often, ESOP-owned Parksite is acquiring ESOP-owned Atlantic Plywood Corp., both of which are in industrial wood products.
Employees have completed a $810 million transaction to purchase Appleton Papers from the French holding company Worms. The Appleton, WI company is the world's largest supplier of thermal and self-copying paper.
Employee-owned Republic Engineered Steels has agreed to be purchased by Blackstone Capital Partners and Veritas Capital Partners in a $420 million transaction. Republic, which is listed on the NYSE, is 54% owned by an ESOP.
According to an NCEO analysis, one third of the largest 900 companies that had ESOPs in 2004 (the Fortune 500 and the Russell 400) had reduced the stock held in the plan to zero or close to it by the end of 2005.
Salisbury University recently updated its online guide of books, videos, and case studies on ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and other forms of inclusive capitalism.
We have just completed a comprehensive review of ESOP and 401(k) plan litigation over the last 20 years and published it as ESOP and 401(k) Plan Employer Stock Litigation Review 1990-2010.