HUNTSVILLE – Reflecting its dedication to empowering employee-owners and fostering long-term growth, Torch Technologies has been honored by the National Center for Employee Ownership.
The Huntsville-based contractor was recognized as the 72nd largest majority employee-owned company on the NCEO 2025 Top 100 Employee-Owned Companies List. This marks the fourth time Torch has appeared on the list, the company announced.
“We’re honored to once again be recognized by the NCEO among the top 100 employee-owned companies in the nation,” said Torch President Brad Walker. “As an employee-owned company, every member of our team has a stake in our mission and our success. This recognition is a testament to the ownership culture that fuels our growth and excellence.”
The NCEO’s annual list highlights the largest broad-based employee-owned companies in the U.S., verified through governmental or other credible third-party sources, a news release said. Most companies on the list are Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)-owned, with one structured as a cooperative.
According to the news release, to qualify, companies must be at least 50% employee-owned, though most are fully (100%) employee-owned. Collectively, these organizations represent more than 642,000 employee-owners nationwide.
ESOPs across all industries and sizes have a long history of delivering tangible benefits to both companies and employees, while creating a viable model for business succession. The latest data from the Department of Labor shows total contributions to ESOP accounts were $107 billion in the latest plan year, the news release said.
Founded in 2002, Torch Technologies established its ESOP in 2004 and became 100% employee-owned in 2011. Also in 2002, Torch earned Certified Evergreen status from the Tugboat Institute, recognizing its commitment to remaining a privately owned company for generations to come.
In 2023, Torch became a public benefit corporation committed to sustaining profitable growth for over 100 years by creating an environment that will provide financial stability for its employee-owners, enabling them to focus on our customers; supporting the growth and sustainment of employee ownership concepts, policies, and implementation; and supporting and enhancing the well-being of the communities in which Torch operates.
