Our Path to Employee Ownership
Shaped by people, responsibility, and the Greater Good.
What is Employee Ownership?
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (or ESOP for short) is a way for the people who work at a company to become its owners. Instead of outside investors or one person holding all the shares, the employees earn ownership over time as part of their benefits. This gives them a real financial stake in the company’s success and helps them build long-term wealth they might not get anywhere else. ESOPs also make companies more stable, because decisions are made with the future in mind, not just quick profits. For business owners thinking about selling, joining an ESOP-backed company means their employees can keep their jobs, share in the growth, and stay connected to the mission long after the sale.
Why System Scale Chose Employee Ownership
Employee ownership was not part of the original plan. System Scale began in 1979 as a single-location sales business. Over the next sixteen years, the company expanded its footprint and built a strong team of service technicians who had spent more than a decade helping the company grow.
By 1995, several of these long-tenured employees were approaching retirement. They had contributed significantly to the company’s success, yet they were facing retirement without the level of financial security they deserved. Contributing to traditional retirement plans was difficult for many, and company matching only went so far. It became clear we needed a better way to honor their commitment and tenure.
This was a moment of conscience for System Scale leadership. We believed the people who built the company should share in the value they helped create. That belief led to the creation of our Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 1995.
From that point forward, employee ownership became more than a benefit. It became a defining part of who we are and a core expression of our commitment to the Greater Good. It continues to guide our culture, our decisions, and our responsibility to every person who joins us.
How Employee-Ownership Makes Us Different
Employee ownership shapes how we approach every part of the business. It gives us a unique perspective on our work and on the challenges our customers face. We provide solutions from an owner’s point of view that consider long-term implications and lasting value, not just a quick fix to the problem in front of us.
This ownership culture also influences how we think about growth and how we share our ESOP journey with others. We plan for the long term and focus on stability, fairness, and continuity rather than short-term gains. We protect the interests of our customers, the legacy of our people, and the strengths businesses we acquire. For acquisitions, this approach creates a smoother transition for employees, preserves the culture owners worked hard to build, and ensures every new team enters an environment built on respect and shared responsibility.
What This Looks Like in Practice
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A Steady, Future-Focused Mindset
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Leadership Cares About People
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