One Large ESOP Closes; Another Starts

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.

One Major ESOP Sells; Another Starts

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.

Online Library Guide for Employee Ownership

Salisbury University recently updated its online guide of books, videos, and case studies on ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and other forms of inclusive capitalism.

Only 40% of Private Sector Workers Are in Retirement Plans

Data from the authoritative Employee Benefit Research indicates that only 48.8% of all private sector workers aged 21-64 worked for a company that sponsored a retirement plan, and just 39.6% participated in the plan. The rates vary considerably by age, income, and the size of the employer.

Opinion: Is It Too Risky Not to Be in an ESOP?

One of the most common arguments against ESOPs as public policy is that they are too risky to be good retirement plans. Not only is a substantial portion of plan assets in a single security, but that security is tied to the employees' paychecks.