Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is pleased to announce it is ranked the 91st largest majority employee-owned company on the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) 2023 Employee Ownership 100 list.
ARA is proudly 100 percent employee owned. Founded in 1979, ARA offers innovative technologies and solutions to problems to improve our safety, security, and way of life. With offices throughout the United States and Canada, ARA is globally recognized for applying technically excellent, in-depth, and diversified research, engineering, and technical support services to provide solutions to complex problems.
Employee ownership and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), which ARA offers as part of its competitive total compensation packages, have a long history of showing tangible benefits to both companies and employees. The ESOP is not a passive investment – employees have a vested interest in increasing the value of ARA and their account through stellar performance every day. Employees contribute to achieving overall company goals and profitability, which in turn may increase the value of the company and the shares in their account.
In 2019, total contributions to ESOP accounts were $89 billion, according to NCEO, a nonprofit research and membership organization supporting the employee ownership community since 1981. The average ESOP account balance is more than double the average 401(k) account balance at a closely matched non-ESOP company offering only a 401(k) plan. Additionally, most ESOP companies like ARA offer a 401(k) plan alongside the ESOP, further amplifying the benefits.
“ARA is proud to be an employee-owned company. Our highly skilled employee-owners have a vested interest in our ongoing success, and we work together for the benefit of all, achieving our collective goals while pursuing our passions every day.”
Rob Sues, ARA CEO and President
About the NCEO
The National Center for Employee Ownership (“NCEO”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been supporting the employee ownership community since 1981. Its mission is to help employee ownership thrive. The NCEO helps its thousands of members make smart decisions about employee ownership with everything from reliable information on technical issues to inspiration to help companies reach the full potential of employee ownership. In addition, the NCEO generates original research, facilitates the exchange of best practices at its live and online events, features the best and most current writing by experts in its publications, and helps employee ownership companies build ownership cultures where employees think and act like owners. For more information, visit www.nceo.org.
