Litehouse Inc. announced that 100 percent of the company's stock has been sold to its employees through an employee stock ownership plan. The move continues the opportunity for all current and future employees to become owners of this industry-leading brand, which has been family owned for over 50 years.

Litehouse first formed an ESOP plan in 2006, selling 30 percent of the company as a commitment to its employees and their communities. The move to 100 percent ESOP ensures continued local ownership.

"We are incredibly proud of our company and want our legacy to be shared with the talented and dedicated employees who have contributed to its growth,” Doug Hawkins, chairman of the board of directors, said in a press release. “The move to 100 percent employee ownership allows every employee to be an owner and ensures the future success of Litehouse for generations to come.”

Litehouse is an award-winning leader in refrigerated salad dressings, dips, cheese and herbs, employing 650 people throughout the United States. The "Litehouse" brand, founded by brothers Doug and Edward Hawkins, merged with Wendell Christoff and his family dressing company, Chadalee Farms, of Lowell, MI, in 1997. Core to the success of the brand is the company’s commitment to shared success and its role as a strong and active member of its communities.

Doug and Edward Hawkins, as well as Christoff will continue their roles as active board members. In 2010, Jim Frank was named president and chief executive officer of Litehouse and continues to lead the company in double-digit sales growth.

"We are excited to have created this opportunity for our employees and we are confident that the ESOP will make us an even stronger company," Frank said in the press release. “The success of the 'Litehouse' brand and the move to a 100 percent employee-owned company is a strong reflection of our founders' guiding principles: faith, stewardship, integrity, commitment to excellence and accountability. These principles continuing to guide us today.”

With the move to 100 percent ESOP, Litehouse joins a growing list of forward-thinking companies, believing that employee ownership is beneficial to companies and their teams. The participatory management structure of ESOPs have been shown to increase employee satisfaction and retention. Studies have found that companies with ESOPs grow at a higher rate than comparable non-ESOP companies.  There are more than 10 million participants in ESOP programs in the United States.