Over the years, Equinox Information Systems has received its share of acquisition offers. Despite those opportunities, founders Byron Middendorf and Wayne Lowe chose a very different path: they implemented an employee stock ownership plan — an ESOP — transferring company ownership to the people who have built this organization. This milestone coincides with the company's 29th anniversary.
Under the ESOP structure, Equinox employees now have stock ownership in the company, with percentage allocations based on performance and tenure. Ownership percentage increases according to years of service until retirement. It is a tangible, meaningful expression of gratitude to the team.
Byron Middendorf put it plainly: "Equinox's success in the market is directly tied to customer satisfaction, which is fueled by happy, well-tended employees." Wayne Lowe added that transitioning employees to stakeholders is "a tangible way to thank employees for their years of dedicated work," and that research demonstrates employee-owned companies show improved performance over non-ESOPs.
The philosophy here has always been that caring for employees translates directly into superior customer service. By consistently putting people first — both the employees who work here and the customers who depend on us — we have built something worth protecting.
I have been with Equinox for 20 years. Nearly half of our staff has been here even longer. That kind of loyalty doesn't happen by accident. It reflects what happens when a company actually lives its values rather than just talking about them.
This is an exciting new chapter for all of us, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers and partners with the same dedication that has defined Equinox since 1986.
About the Author — David West is Executive Vice President of Equinox Information Systems. To learn more about Equinox, visit equinoxis.com or call (615) 612-1200.