MSA is a people company.

We believe our success lies in the collaborative culture we’ve built around employee ownership and the shared vision and values that guide us forward. Employee ownership is the foundation upon which we conduct business, make decisions and collectively plan for the future. It allows us to remain an independent and enduring organization for as long as we choose, while supporting the individual goals of our team members. The result is a company that thinks and acts like owners — which drives the quality of projects and strength of relationships we’re proud to pass along to our clients.

MSA’s ESOP Evolution

MSA’s Employee Stock Ownership Program

What is an ESOP?

MSA employees own the company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). ESOPs are a type of qualified retirement plan organized through a trust, a separate entity that buys, holds and sells company stock on behalf of its beneficiaries. Employees receive MSA stock in the form of company shares as a percentage of compensation, thus providing employee owners with an ownership stake in the organization.

How an ESOP works.

An ESOP is a retirement savings plan similar to a 401(k). Unlike a 401(k), employees do not contribute any money toward the company share they receive; MSA makes all the contributions. Each account value is tied to the share value of the company, not external securities. MSA’s company stock is evaluated each year by an independent third-party appraiser, and any increase in value is redistributed to the beneficiaries — MSA employees.

The ESOP difference.

Being 100% employee owned means operating on a more holistic level. We believe in having open doors, open-book finances and encouraging all employees to bring their authentic selves, ideas and opinions to the company table. As ONE MSA, each individual is a key component of our firm’s success — valued for their contributions and invested in as part of their personal and professional development.