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ESOP Industry News
Corovan’s Transformation to Employee Ownership
The Historical Evolution of Corovan Corovan’s journey from a small moving service to the largest commercial mover in the Western United States is a testament to its adaptability and forward-thinking strategies. Founded in 1948 by Richard T. Schmitz, Corovan initially offered residential moving services. By 1955, it expanded its horizons by becoming an agent for…
A Fireside Chat with Ringland-Johnson
As part of The Menke Group’s fiftieth anniversary celebration, our CEO, Trevor Gilmore, is holding a series of virtual ‘fireside chats’ with our clients to discuss their ESOP journeys. Brent Johnson, CEO of Ringland-Johnson, shared his insights recently. Ringland-Johnson is one of the top industrial and commercial construction firms in the Midwest with a history…
AEC Electric Works with The Menke Group to Adopt the Employee Ownership Model with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Burlingame, CA, September 24, 2024 – The Menke Group, the leading single-source Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) provider in the United States, announced that AEC Electric, a commercial electrical contractor covering all of Arizona, has become 100 percent employee-owned with the help of The Menke Group. The ESOP plan extends ownership of the company to…
50th Anniversary Marks Change in Executive Leadership as Trevor Gilmore Assumes CEO Role
Burlingame, CA, August 28, 2024 – The Menke Group, the leading single-source Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) provider in the United States, announced that 2024 marks its fiftieth anniversary of advising companies on designing and managing ESOPs. In addition, the company announced that Trevor Gilmore, former CFO and COO of The Menke Group, was promoted…
Join Us for a Special Lunch & Learn: ESOP 101
Lunch & Learn: ESOP 101 We are pleased to invite you to an exclusive Lunch & Learn event, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the benefits of selling your business to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This event, hosted by JPMorgan Chase and The Menke Group, is designed specifically for business owners who…
Menke: Celebrating 50 Years – A Timeline of ESOP Excellence
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, take a tour of the history of The Menke Group and ESOPs. 1974 The Menke Group, founded by John D. Menke, is incorporated in June. Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), including ESOP provisions drafted by John D. Menke, is signed into law on September 2. 1975-1985 1975 John…
Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of The Menke Group, Inc.
IRS qualified stock bonus plans and profit-sharing plans have existed in this country since they were first authorized by the Revenue Act of 1921. However, during the ensuing years very few stock bonus plans existed, and most of them were used by publicly traded companies as an employee incentive plan. Instead, most public-traded companies offered…
Matt Nels to Speak at ‘Let’s Talk ESOPs’ Event in Montana
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) stand at the forefront of transforming how businesses view and engage their workforce. These plans not only offer a route to employee ownership but foster a culture of involvement, commitment, and shared success. The upcoming ‘Let’s Talk ESOPs’ event in Montana, slated for Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Pacific Steel…
Why SOC 1 and SOC 2 Matter for Menke and Our Clients
Trust and security are more important than ever, and when it comes to your company’s ESOP, this is especially true. Employees and stakeholders must know that their data is safe and that related reporting processes are managed rigorously. SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports, produced by an independent certified public accounting firm following a comprehensive…
AV Construction Works with The Menke Group to Adopt the Employee Ownership Model with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Fountain Valley, CA, April 17, 2024 – The Menke Group, a leading full-service ESOP provider, announced that AV Construction, a renowned healthcare development firm based in Fountain Valley, has become 100 percent employee owned with the help of The Menke Group. The Menke Group will assist AV Construction to extend ownership of the company to…
Contribution and Allocation Limitations
CONTRIBUTION AND ALLOCATION LIMITATIONS FOR PLAN YEARS ENDING IN 2024 Date: April 2024 C CORPORATION CONTRIBUTION LIMITATIONS (Sec. 404 of the Code): Example: (The Sec. 404 limit is calculated for all employer plans in the aggregate.) Sec. 404 Gross Compensation 1 $345,000.00 Less Sec. 401(k) Salary Reduction 0.00 Less Sec. 125 Salary Reduction 0.00 Net…
IRS Releases Retirement Plan Limits for 2024
On October 12, 2023, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the 2024 Social Security Wage base increase from $160,200 to $168,600. The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) announced the 2024 cost-of-living adjustments for various retirement plan limits on November 1, 2023. Below are selected adjustments applicable to employer-sponsored retirement plans effective January 1, 2024. Additional details…
Matrix HG Works with The Menke Group to Adopt the Employee Ownership Model with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
San Mateo, CA, April 2, 2024 – The Menke Group, a leading full-service ESOP provider, announced that Matrix HG, a Concord-based innovator serving the San Francisco Bay Area with commercial HVAC systems, has become 100 percent employee owned with the help of The Menke Group. The Menke Group will assist Matrix HG to extend ownership…
Zepnick Solutions: It starts with an idea.
In 2000, Jody Zepnick, founder of Zepnick Solutions, had an idea. He wanted to create a business that would not only serve a growing niche — manufacturing automation — but would also be a place that people want to work for. Fast forward 24 years, Zepnick has provided engineering solutions and equipment for automation to…
Brown Construction Works with Menke to Become 100% Employee-Owned with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
San Mateo, CA, March 12, 2024 – The Menke Group, a leading full-service ESOP provider, announced that Brown Construction Incorporated, one of the largest general contractors in the greater Sacramento area and ENR Top 400 general contractor, has become 100% employee-owned with the help of The Menke Group. The Menke Group enabled Brown Construction to…
Upcoming Webinar: How Business Owners, Management, and Employees Can Benefit from ESOPs in 2025!
Join us for a free, 90-minute web seminar on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024, where industry experts will guide you through the essential benefits of ESOPs. You'll learn how ESOPs can be structured to meet your specific business needs, ensuring the sustainability and success of your company in 2024 and beyond.
Can ESOPs Expand the Shrinking Pool of Accountants?
As more accountants retire from the profession, they are not being replaced by new practitioners. A recent Wall Street Journal article shone a spotlight on a disturbing trend: the number of college students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting dropped by almost eight percent from the previous year, according to a study by the…
Employee Ownership: Building Resilience and Security
A recent study commissioned by the Employee-Owned S Corporations of America (ESCA) has unveiled a compelling narrative – workers who own their companies through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) enjoy significantly greater employment advantages compared to the broader American workforce. Employee-owned S corporations excel in employee retention, boasting a corporate culture that fosters worker satisfaction.…
Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Streamline S-Corp ESOP Implementation for Businesses
Congress is continuing its support for employee ownership in general and ESOPs in particular with the introduction of bipartisan legislation designed to simplify the process of establishing Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for S-Corps. The Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act aims to address the barriers that have historically hindered S-Corp companies from…
BDO’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan: A Bold Move
When BDO USA’s 880 partners met recently in Florida, they voted nearly unanimously to establish an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The plan is scheduled to go into effect on August 31, 2023 and will give the firm’s 10,000 employees a direct stake in ownership. The firm’s executives will continue to lead the company and…
New Employee Ownership Initiative from the US Department of Labor
Employee ownership is a powerful force for financial well-being and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) benefit both business owners and employees. The US Federal government recognized these factors in the 2023 national budget by including support for provisions dedicated to spurring ESOPs and Congress has introduced bi-partisan measures to advance employee ownership. The drumbeat of…
Menke Client Clark-Devon Hardware Highlighted in Chicago Sun Times
A recent Chicago Sun Times article outlined how Menke client Clark-Devon Hardware, a well-established hardware store based in Chicago, has taken a significant step towards empowering its workforce and securing its future by implementing an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). By transitioning to employee ownership, Clark-Devon Hardware aims to create a stronger sense of commitment…
New SBA Guidance Enhances Financing Opportunities for ESOPs
Small businesses looking to transition to an employee-owned model through ESOPs can benefit greatly from two recent pieces of regulatory guidance from the Small Business Association (SBA) which bring positive changes to the financing landscape for ESOPs. These important pieces of guidance are Procedural Notice 5000-846607 and SOP 50 10, Version 7, both of which…
Employee Equity Investment Act: Another Boost for a New Decade of Employee Ownership
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on promoting employee ownership in the United States. This focus has been championed by Congressional leaders and various states who recognize the numerous benefits that employee ownership can bring to businesses and their workforce. Earlier in 2023, the passage of the WORK and SECURE 2.0 Acts…
Menke Case Study: Kennon Products
Protecting High Value Assets Protecting High Value Assets: this phrase expresses the mission for Kennon Products and the litmus test for decisions on investing the company’s resources. Located in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains in Sheridan, Wyoming, the company’s ability to innovate and excellence in engineering led to its focus on protecting high…
Private Equity and Employee Ownership: The ESOP Opportunity
A recent article in Middle Market Growth magazine explores a new trend in private equity: investing in companies with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Private equity has traditionally shied away from these companies, seeing ESOPs as an ‘either-or’ proposition. However, private equity investors are looking at ESOPs with fresh eyes. Recent Federal legislation may well…
Kicking Off 2023 with The National Center for Employee Ownership
The Menke Group is looking forward to participating in the 2023 meeting series for the The National Center for Employee Ownership. The meeting series is designed for business owners who are evaluating whether an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is the right vehicle for their business succession needs. The first meeting of 2023, entitled “Is…
US Government Measures to Spur ESOP Adoption
ESOPs are a powerful tool for businesses, as they can help to align the interests of employees with those of the company and can also serve as a means of attracting and retaining top talent. The United States Congress recognized these advantages when they passed the 2023 Omnibus Bill, a comprehensive spending bill that funds…
Department of Defense Pilot Program Encourages Contracting with Employee-Owned Businesses
The Department of Defense (DoD) issued a memorandum on November 8, 2022 of great import for employee-owned government contractors. The memorandum describes a pilot program for S-corporations that are 100% owned by an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) to receive a noncompetitive award for certain follow-on contracts. This pilot program is especially noteworthy since it…