Employees take ownership of Patio Enclosures

Employee stock program allows employee ownership

-- Casual Living, 3/2/2007 12:46:00 PM

Patio Enclosures, Inc. announced it has become100% employee-owned as it passes its 40th year. The Macedonia, Ohio-based manufacturer and installer of sunrooms, solariums and conservatories, joined the ranks of a small percentage of firms that have become 100% employee-owned through employee stock ownership plans.

“It is a real milestone for our company and the employee-owners of Patio Enclosures, Inc.," said Ken Sekley, president and CEO. "This event was made possible by our employee-owners' commitment to delivering quality products and satisfying our customers." Patio Enclosures was founded in suburban Cleveland, Ohio in 1966. A guiding force for almost the entire history of the company was Robert Schneider, who assumed 100% ownership of Patio Enclosures, Inc. in 1979. Throughout his tenure, he was instrumental in driving the firm to a leadership position in its industry. In 1996, Schneider took the first steps toward realizing his vision of passing the company on to its employees when he announced the formation of the ESOP. His vision became reality on Dec. 29, 2006.  Today, Patio Enclosures is the largest manufacturer and installer of sunrooms in North America with more than 200,000 rooms installed. It operates 30 locations across the United States and Canada and has more than 750 employee-owners. The company also operates three casual furniture superstores in northeastern Ohio and one superstore in Pittsburgh.