JDS Industries transitions to 100% employee owned

On Jan. 23, JDS Industries hosted a company-wide event and shared the news with their employees that they were now the new owners of JDS Industries through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP.)

The Sletten family started JDS Industries in 1990 and has managed and grown the company into what it is today. Scott Sletten and Mike May were the current owners of JDS until the conversion to ESOP.

May was recently made president of JDS and Sletten remains CEO. The company will continue to operate as it does now, there will be no change in the current management of the company.

JDS stated that the staff is very excited about the announcement and what it will mean for their future if they remain with JDS Industries.

“Transitioning to the employee ownership structure was a more attractive succession plan to me versus a sale of the business because it ensures continuity for our staff, customers, and vendor partners,” stated Sletten. “JDS will continue to operate as it always has with the same leadership and employees.”