At Robinson, we transitioned our business structure to 100% employee ownership in 2023. This represents our commitment to fostering a workplace environment where every team member has a direct stake in our collective success.
As one of the 6,300+ proud ESOP companies in the United States, including one of 1,319 in the manufacturing sector, we’ve witnessed firsthand how employee ownership transforms workplace dynamics and drives exceptional outcomes. Let’s explore how this transformation has positively impacted our operations and culture.
Working from a Foundation of Shared Success
Operating from our nearly 800,000-square-foot manufacturing facilities with 800+ skilled professionals, Robinson’s ESOP structure ensures that every eligible employee who helps build our success shares in its rewards. Through our ESOP, team members earn shares annually within a retirement savings trust, creating a direct link between their contributions and their financial future.
The impact of employee ownership at Robinson manifests in three key areas that have fundamentally transformed our organization.
1. Enhanced Productivity and Quality
When employees are owners, their perspective shifts dramatically.
Our team members approach their work with heightened attention to detail and innovation, knowing that company performance directly affects their personal success. This ownership mindset has revolutionized our operations, leading to superior product quality across our manufacturing processes.
We’ve seen remarkable improvements in efficiency throughout our facility, with our employee-owners consistently finding innovative ways to reduce waste and optimize operations. Perhaps most importantly, our team members now approach decision-making with the careful consideration of true owners, weighing both short-term needs and long-term implications for the company’s success.
2. Financial Growth and Stability
The numbers tell a compelling story about the ESOP advantage, demonstrating the tangible benefits of employee ownership.
Our employee-owners have the opportunity to accumulate retirement savings at 2.5 times the rate of traditional employment when combining their ESOP with our 401(k) plan.
3. Stronger Workplace Culture
As a 100% employee-owned company, we are proud to have cultivated an environment where collaboration and long-term thinking flourish. This is reflected in our remarkable employee retention rates, with over 20% of our team members sticking with Robinson for more than 10 years. This demonstrates the deep commitment our employee-owners feel toward the company.
According to Project Equity, “Employee ownership creates a culture of purpose, stability, and mutual success—one that attracts and keeps top talent in a way few other strategies can. Because when employees are owners, everyone wins.”
Perhaps most importantly, we have a culture of transparent communication across all levels of the organization, fostering an environment where every voice matters and every idea can contribute to our collective success.
Community Impact of Our ESOP
We’re also proud of the fact that our ethos of employee ownership extends beyond our facility walls. As an ESOP company, we maintain a deep commitment to our Northeast Wisconsin community, ensuring that jobs remain local and contribute to regional economic stability.
Our investment in the community goes deep, demonstrated by our investment in local programs such as NEWYA.
Looking to the Future
Now that we’re three years into our employee-ownership journey, we’re seeking additional team members who could contribute to this culture of ownership.
If you consider yourself someone who can:
- Think long-term
- Make decisions that benefit the company’s lasting success
- Work collaboratively to enhance our competitive edge in the manufacturing industry
We want to talk to you!
We know that when employees have a genuine stake in the company’s success, everyone wins. This includes our team members, our customers, and our community. Our ESOP model has proven to be a successful foundation for our continued growth and innovation.
Learn more about career opportunities at Robinson and our ESOP program by visiting our careers page.
