FARGO – Hebron Brick Company, a leading manufacturer of clay brick and concrete block has announced they are now a 100 percent employee-owned company.

An ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) is an employee benefit plan which provides company stock as part of their retirement benefits. The transaction was made possible through a collaboration with First International Bank and Trust and the Bank of North Dakota. The sale of the company to the employees was completed on Jan. 10.

“I wanted to ensure that Hebron Brick remained a North Dakota company and was viable for generations to come. An ESOP sale ensured both,” said CEO Rodney Paseka.   Establishing an ESOP rewards long-term employees, many of who have 20-plus years of service. It also creates a company culture where the employee takes ownership and responsibility for their area of employment.

“We are very excited to become an employee owned company” said Jeff Laliberte, president of Hebron Brick. “We believe providing ownership as an employee benefit will lead to greater employee satisfaction, better retention, and greater customer service.”

Hebron Brick was founded in 1904 in Hebron, ND.  The company has expanded over the last century to 9 locations – including its store in Minot – in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Hebron Brick distributes their award winning brick line throughout the entire United States and Canada through a national distribution system.  In addition to brick, they distribute stone, fireplaces, landscaping supplies and concrete building materials.