In the year 2000, Southland ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) purchased 100% of the shares of the company from the prior owners. An ESOP is an employee benefit plan which makes the employees the beneficial owners of stock in that company. Southland is one of only 2500 companies in the United States that is a 100% Employee Stock Owned Plan - the Company is 100% owned by employees. This is an employee benefit at no cost to the employee, geared primarily toward long-term value appreciation of Southland as a retirement benefit.

Many studies have shown improved productivity of employees as a result of employee ownership, which directly benefits our customers.  In addition, ESOP’s align all employees’ goals to be consistent as owners of the Company, so all employees working for our customers are owners and have a vested interest in satisfying customers and their needs to the fullest extent possible. The success of our customers is tied to the success of Southland, which in turn directly benefits our employee’s stock value. Our ESOP ensures all stakeholders’ goals are aligned.