Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1540424
V O L . X X X I N O. X X I V § 2 O C T O B E R 2 0 , 2 0 2 5 4 C O N T E N T S F E AT U R E S F RO M T H E E D I TO R F or more than a decade, Mainebiz has taken an active role in cov- ering the evolution of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan. We've done stories about ESOPs, run related "how to" columns and hosted a panel discussion around the topic. e rise of ESOPs has been interesting to follow. Now, we offer the second annual ESOPs Essentials issue. As Maine small businesses con- tinue to evolve, the employee own- ership model offers advantages for both the owner and the employees. e succession planning aspect of ESOPs continues to offer a via- ble alternative to a traditional sale of a company. Offering the ESOP model is a way to hold onto Maine's small businesses. is issue offers an overview of the ESOP model, while getting into some specifics on how to navigate the M&A process and answer ques- tions about the cost, the payout and what's in it for the employees. The issue also offers "how to" columns from experts and a list of Maine's largest ESOPs. — Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz Employee owners take center stage with ESOPs Your folding carton packaging partner — with a stake in your success. At J.S. McCarthy Packaging + Print, we build folding cartons with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of pride. From food and beauty to healthcare and consumer goods, our packaging helps brands stand out — and hold up. And as a 100% employee-owned company, we treat every project like it's our own... because it is. Let's fold great ideas together. jsmccarthy.com | 207-622-6241 Built in Maine. Backed by Employee-Ownership. Mainebiz offers the second annual ESOPs Essentials issue. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Mainebiz® (ISSN# 1530-0749) is published bi-weekly 29 times a year, including special issues published in July, September, October and December by New England Business Media LLC. Periodicals postage paid (USPS# 018-715) at Port land, ME and at additional entry points. Postmaster: Please send changes to: Mainebiz, PO Box 330, Congers, NY 10920-0330. Annual subscriptions are available for $84.00 and include Fact Book and Book of Lists. To subscribe, please visit our website at www.mainebiz.biz, email circulation@mainebiz.biz or call our circulation department at 845-267-3008. Mainebiz® accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and in general does not return them to the sender. A division of New England Business Media LLC C E O / GROUP PUBLISHER Peter Stanton P R E S I D E N T Tom Curtin DIGITAL DIRECTOR Jan Holder SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS Ken Hanson, Kerry Rasor, Betsy VanderPloeg ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Michelle Phillips EVENTS & MARKETING DIRECTOR Samantha Elliott OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Allison Spies AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST Leah Allen CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mark Jeanneret Carrie Yardley RESEARCH DIRECTOR Stephanie Meagher RESEARCH ASSISTANT Heide Martin ART DIRECTOR Matt Selva HOSPITALITY Buster HOSPITALITY EMERITUS Malcolm, Zoey PUBLISHER Andrea Tetzlaff EDITOR Peter Van Allen DEPUTY EDITOR Renee Cordes DIGITAL EDITOR Alexis Wells SENIOR WRITER Laurie Schreiber STAFF WRITER Tina Fischer 6 Cianbro 8 Howell Laboratories Inc. 10 Pack Edge 13 ProSearch 14 ReVision Energy 17 Sargent Corp. 18 Sebago Technics 20 Wright-Ryan Construction P RO F I L E S 6 ESOPs at a glance 11 Structuring for success 12 3 key considerations before converting to an ESOP 15 The ESOP movement 16 How to make ESOP communication a success