Jon Crystal of the Vermont Employee Ownership Center and Cindy Turcot of Gardener's Supply Company, appeared on WCAX's "The :30" to discuss how employee ownership can help businesses grow and thrive.
A group of 10 seasoned physical therapists, along with two support staff, have formed PT360, a new employee-owned physical therapy firm based in Williston, Vermont. Under the leadership of Mary Steiger, the members of the group decided to form a new business and were interested in sharing ownership. The Vermont Employee Ownership Center (VEOC) provided initial information on starting up as a worker cooperative and assisted the group with their bylaws.
Sonnax Industries, an auto parts manufacturer based in Bellows Falls, VT, has been sold to its employees. The previous owners, Tommy Harmon and Rick Fritz, sold 100% of the company stock to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The company employs about 150 people.