ESOP Industry News

The ESOP Association and the Employee Ownership Foundation Release Results of the 2010 ESOP Company Survey

August 11, 2010 The ESOP Association and the Employee Ownership Foundation released today the results of a survey conducted among the Association’s 1,400 corporate members in the first quarter of 2010 which confirms positive benchmarks for ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) companies. The company survey is conducted every five years and was last completed in…

Ross Group Inc. Rewards Employees With Stock Ownership Plan

Ross Group Inc of Dayton, Ohio announced that the company has formed an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and has joined the growing list of companies whose employees are stockholders. “When the transaction is completed,” said Mr. Mark Ross, President and CEO, “the employees of Ross Group Inc will own just under 25 percent of…

Clif Bar Announces ESOP Program

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 Clif Bar & Company announced the selling of family owned common stock to its employees through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Employees through the ESOP own 20% of the company, while husband and wife owners Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford retain the remaining 80%. No change in management structure will…

RESILIENCE AND RETIREMENT SECURITY: Performance of S-ESOP Firms in the Recession

Written by Phillip Swagel and Robert Carroll Executive Summary A study of a cross-section of Subchapter S firms with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan shows that S-ESOP companies performed better in 2008 compared to non-S-ESOP firms along a number of dimensions, including job creation, revenue growth, and providing for workers’ retirement security. The S-ESOPs paid their workers higher…

ESOP: Employee Ownership of Companies on the Rise

The ESOP – Employee Stock Ownership Plan – is, slowly, on the rise. These worker-owned businesses are more productive and could benefit the American economy. Shoppers eye goods at the bakery of King Arthur Flour Co. in Norwich, Vt. The employee-owned firm was able to expand from its niche to deliver a broad product line.…

ESOPs on the Rise Among Small Businesses

Small companies are rushing to reward workers with employee stock ownership plans as low valuations make awarding shares more attractive By Karen E. Klein Bob Moore gathered three employee shifts together last month for pizza parties to celebrate his 81st birthday. But Moore, the founder and president of Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods in Portland, Ore., also…

New Study Documents ESOP Account Balances

The NCEO has just completed an analysis of Form 5500 retirement plan filings filed by ESOP companies. The Form 5500 data are prone to considerable reporting and transcription error and should be used with caution, but many of the results described below are in accord with prior research, with our experience, and with best estimates…