Approach

APPROACH

ROOTED IN
COMMUNITY

Employee ownership is a proven solution to the succession challenges faced by many family-owned businesses.

In the same way that prairie tallgrasses take deep root in the soil and support an entire ecosystem, we know the critical value of locally grown businesses. Whether urban or rural, local ownership is rooted within the community, providing economic and community benefits at many levels. 

Entrusting your business to employee owners makes good business sense since they’re the people who know it best, and whose commitment extends to the larger community in which they live and work.

Profits, jobs and tax base remain in the community.

For many owners, selling their business is about more than just maximizing financial returns. Ideally, owners want to preserve the legacy that they and their family built over many years. They want to support the community and ensure great futures for the people that helped them build the business.

At Tallgrass, we know how much is riding on the decision to sell.

We also know how precarious a transition of ownership can be. Tallgrass addresses many of the risks.

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employee working on machine
employee inspecting book
employee on warehouse stairs

This is the Tallgrass Value Proposition…

ACQUIRE

Our patient capital investment makes it easier for business owners to sell to their employees, realizing more of the proceeds sooner, and preserving their legacy.

TRANSITION

Tallgrass supports the company’s existing leadership team as they transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) model.

NURTURE

The company joins a larger family of Tallgrass companies leading to cross-pollination of ideas and talent and access to key resources in other businesses.

“Being part of an employee-owned company makes you feel you are part of a bigger structure, you think like an owner; you feel more committed, especially with a decision-making stance. There’s always this follow-up question you bring up to yourself ‘how will it affect the company?’”
Pat Villarica, Employee-Owner of Friesens Corporation

IT’S GOOD BUSINESS

SUPPORTING PROLIFIC, LOCALLY-MINDED, VALUES-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

Tallgrass helps businesses transition from individual ownership to employee-ownership while preserving and creating value for all stakeholders in a win-win scenario…

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BUSINESS OWNER

sells the business at market value and perserves their company legacy

The Community Icon

COMMUNITY

maintains local ownership and retains jobs/tax-base

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EMPLOYEES

become beneficiaries (employee-owners) of the business and generate new wealth for their families 

The Customer Icon

CUSTOMER

enjoys stability in service delivery and brand loyalty

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BUSINESS

avoids merger/take-overs and maintains strategic control

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TALLGRASS

fulfils its mission and earns a small return on investment 

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Explore case studies of employee ownership in a variety of forms and sectors.

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Davey Tree Expert Company – Kent, Ohio

The family-owned Davey Tree Expert Company transitioned in 1979 following a hybrid model of employee ownership: first, via an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); and second, through a direct purchase of an employee group. Background In 1880, John Davey founded The Davey Tree Expert Company on the basis of his research and practical applications of…
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Bob, Andy and Kurt from Taylor in a room with guitars

Taylor Guitars – El Cajon, California

Family-owned Taylor Guitars announced in 2021 the transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). In business since 1974, and with 1,200 employees, Taylor Guitars is now 100% employee owned. Background Headquartered in El Cajon, California, Taylor Guitars was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. The two first met while working at…
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Richer sounds store front

Richer Sounds – London, England

Richer Sounds opened in 1978 when Julian Richer, at the age of only 19, opened his first electronics shop near London Bridge. Growing into a chain of 50 retail stores, Richer announced in 2019 that he would sell 60% of the business to his employees in the form of an Employee Ownership Trust. Background Richer…
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Image of EllisDon 2 employees from behind in the field.

EllisDon – Mississauga, Ontario

Family-owned EllisDon construction company announced in 2020 the transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). In business since 1951, and with 4,000 employees worldwide, EllisDon is now 100% employee owned. Background In 1951, EllisDon was launched by brother Don and Davis Ellis as a contractor service in London, Ontario. Eventually EllisDon would construct many hundreds…
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READY TO SELL YOUR BUSINESS?

We’re currently seeking investment opportunities.
Begin the conversation today.

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