Spotlights
Spotlight: King Arthur Baking Company
A 230-year-old flour company in Vermont that is 100% employee-owned and a certified B Corp. What that looks like in practice.
King Arthur Baking Company is a flour and baking supply company based in Norwich, Vermont. It was founded in 1790, which makes it one of the oldest companies in the United States. It is also 100% employee-owned and a certified B Corp.
The basics
- Founded: 1790
- Headquarters: Norwich, Vermont
- Ownership: 100% employee-owned through an ESOP
- Certifications: B Corp
- Known for: flour, baking mixes, a baking school and a large online recipe library
How the ownership works
King Arthur moved to employee ownership in stages. The owning family began transferring shares to an employee stock ownership plan in the 1990s and completed the transition in 2004. Today every eligible employee accumulates shares in the company over time, held in a trust, and receives their value when they leave or retire.
Employees do not vote on day-to-day decisions the way worker-owners at a cooperative do. The value is in the equity and in the company's stated commitment to staying independent rather than being sold.
Why it is on the platform
It sits in two of our categories at once: employee-owned and B Corp. It is also a useful example of a large, established consumer brand that fits the profile, which pushes back on the idea that mission-driven employers are all small startups or nonprofits.
Worth knowing before you apply
Most roles are in Vermont, across manufacturing, customer support, retail, marketing and the baking education side. Remote roles exist but are a minority. The careers page lists benefits and the ESOP details clearly, which is exactly what we like to see.