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w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m D e c e m b e r 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 43 BUSINESS SOLUTIONS MADE BETTER. YOU CAN BANK ON IT. Fox Valley (920) 237-5126 Green Bay (920) 469-0500 Manitowoc (920) 652-3100 Sheboygan (920) 694-1900 For better banking, think First www.BankFirstNational.com Opening in January! 4201 W. WISCONSIN AVE., APPLETON Your first-class banking experience is about to arrive... Your Source for Protective Workwear Protective Workwear • high-vis and flame resistant • largest selection • volume discounts • add your logo 1-888-923-9675 midwestworkwear.com new, but employees "loved it," says company President Wayne Stellmacher. "I think it's kind of the American dream to want a piece of the action," Stellmacher says. He's convinced it has contributed to the success of Keller, Inc., which has revenues of $150 million. "Our growth cycle is a direct result of our employee ownership," Stellmacher says. It's a draw for new employees and it allows everyone to share in the success of the company, he adds. "In the beginning of the year you take the risk together. If at the end of the year there are fruits of the harvest, you all reap them together." Steve Ambrosius, founder and president of Green Bay-based Bayland Buildings, Inc., has steadily turned shares of the company he founded in 1991 over to his employees and they now own 70 percent. In 2016, he expects 100 percent of the company will be employee owned. "Eight years ago I wanted to test the waters with the ESOP program," Ambrosius says. "I will be gradually removed from the day-to-day operations but still chairman of the board and CEO of the company." Ambrosius will be financing the ESOP buyout for his employees. "We're knocking on the door of $100 million in sales with 275 employees," Ambrosius says. "I think everybody, especially new employees, look at it as a huge benefit. ey will not only be getting long-term rewards as far as retirement, but they all have a little bit of ownership and pride in what they do, in quality and efficiency." Ambrosius also likes the idea of empowering the employees with a stake in their success. "It would be easier to sell the company, take the money and run," he says. "But I'm not into that. is is good for all parties involved." Steve Ambrosius