Employee Ownership Blog

Corey Rosen

ESOP-Owned Emprise Group Makes One of the Largest-Ever Acquisitions by an ESOP Company

Emprise, a 100% ESOP-owned holding company that acquires and invests in middle-market consumer product companies, has acquired Nice-Pak Products through its portfolio company Vivos Holdings, LLC, creating one of the largest companies in its field. Emprise, which the company says stands for "employee" and "enterprise," includes a number of personal care companies, including Consumer Product Partners, Surefil, UpLift Brands, and Vi-Jon, as well as INSPR Labs, which provides research and analytical services for the personal care industry. Nice-Pak is a manufacturer of sanitizing wipes for personal care, babies and toddlers, homes, hospitals, and other users.

Right-pointing arrow Continue Reading

Corey Rosen

Patricia Hetter Kelso, 1927-2025

Patricia Hetter Kelso, a leading voice in the promotion of employee ownership and universal capitalism, died yesterday at 98. She was the intellectual and business partner, wife, and coauthor of numerous books on expanding capitalism with her husband, Louis Kelso. Louis Kelso developed the idea of the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) in 1956. Patricia met Louis in 1963, and they married in 1980.

Right-pointing arrow Continue Reading

Timothy Garbinsky

Congratulations to Joseph Blasi

Dr. Joseph Blasi, one of the driving forces of academic interest and research on employee ownership, has stepped down from his role as the director of the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University. He will continue his work as both a researcher and mentor at the university's School of Management and Labor Relations.

Right-pointing arrow Continue Reading

Kimberly McCourtney

Join Us at the NCEO Forum: Launch of the Rising Leaders Peer Network

Leadership isn’t defined by title; it starts with how we show up every day. That’s the spirit behind the NCEO’s newest member benefit: the Rising Leaders Peer Network. Created for emerging leaders at all levels within our community, this network is designed to develop the next generation of employee ownership champions through practical tools, peer support, and ongoing growth opportunities.

Right-pointing arrow Continue Reading

Michelle Cronin

Reflections on the OWN Health Annual Member Meeting

The San Diego gathering of OWN Health captive members offered a window into how employee-owned companies are reimagining healthcare benefits through collective action. With 13 member companies present, the meeting revealed the advantages that emerge when ESOP companies approach healthcare challenges collaboratively rather than in isolation. Unlike the typical insurance conference where vendors pitch solutions to passive buyers, this meeting emphasized the impact of employee ownership culture on ESOP company healthcare decisions and outcomes.

Right-pointing arrow Continue Reading

Corey Rosen

MA Bill Would Promote Transition to Worker Coops

A new Massachusetts bill, "An Act promoting entrepreneurship through employee ownership," appearing in identical versions in the Massachusetts House and Senate as H. 503 and S. 305, respectively, would encourage small business owners to transition their firms to worker cooperatives. Companies must have at least three employees and meet the definition of a small business under Small Business Administration (SBA) standards. The sale must be to a worker cooperative or to an LLC or partnership that otherwise meets the requirements for worker cooperatives, including equal voting power for all employees who are designated as owners under the company’s bylaws. Profits must be distributed based on “patronage," defined as hours worked for the company.

Right-pointing arrow Continue Reading