AUDIO-VISUAL SOLUTIONS
Meet the New Owners: Us!
We’re excited to share an important milestone in our company’s history: we are officially a 100% employee-owned company!
This change means every member of our team now has a personal stake in our company’s success, and it’s a huge step forward for our culture, growth, and the people who make our work possible every day.
Instead of selling to a larger competitor or private equity firm, we chose a different path. We wanted to make sure the company we’ve built over nearly 40 years continues to thrive without losing the values, relationships, and culture that make us who we are. By forming an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), we’ve handed the company over to the people who know it best: our employees. The transition became official on January 23, 2026.
What is an ESOP and Why Does It Matter?
ESOPs are a long-term retirement benefit that use a trust to hold company stock, enabling eligible employees to transition ownership of the company. They are a no-cost wealth building tool for everyday workers to grow their retirement benefits by simply continuing to work. According to the National Center for Employee Ownership, ESOP participants in the United States tend to have twice as much in retirement savings as employees in non-ESOP companies.
Haverford Systems has thrived as a family-owned business for nearly 40 years, and it was very important to our founders, Hugh and Eileen Richards, that the company continued to thrive after stepping away from ownership. We believe the transition to an ESOP accomplishes that, and will not only reward our team, but also help foster growth, encourage innovation, and create yet another incentive for future employees to consider joining our organization."
Why We Chose the Employee-Ownership Path
Our decision to become 100% employee-owned was rooted in a simple belief: the people who create the value should share in the rewards. By choosing this model, we have secured a future where our collective hard work directly benefits our own team rather than outside investors.
Transitioning to an employee-owned company allows us to:
- Maintain continuity in leadership and company values
- Reward the people who have contributed to our success
- Stay focused on long-term growth rather than short-term goals
Ultimately, we are doubling down on our greatest strength – our people. This structure ensures that every team member has a direct hand in shaping the future of Haverford Systems.
What This Means for Our Clients and Partners
When you work with Haverford Systems, you’re no longer just working with employees; you’re working with owners.
Our clients can expect an even higher level of engagement and care. Because every one of us has a stake in the outcome, we are more motivated than ever to deliver forward-thinking AV solutions that perform today and scale for the future.
Looking Ahead
We are proud to join a community of roughly 6,300 other ESOP companies across the U.S. This transition was made possible through our partnership with SES ESOP Strategies, who helped us navigate the path to ownership.
We’re excited about what’s ahead and grateful to our team, clients, and partners who have been part of the journey so far.
