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JDS Industries transitions to 100% employee owned

JDS employees are now owners of the company through an ESOP.

Scott Sletten and Mike May (Image courtesy of JDS Industries)
Scott Sletten and Mike May (Image courtesy of JDS Industries)

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.”

JDS Industries
JDS employees (Image courtesy of JDS Industries)

Marie Fennema

Marie Fennema is the managing editor of GRAPHICS PRO, including GRAPHICS PRO Today, covering news and guidance in apparel decoration, awards and engraving, and sign and digital printing.

View all articles by Marie Fennema  

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