Employee-Ownership
A Different Kind of Book Manufacturer
Friesens is proudly employee-owned. This ownership model influences every decision we make, creating a culture of accountability, stewardship, and long-term thinking that benefits our customers, our employees, and our communities.
The Friesens Way to Employee-Ownership
Employee-ownership is more than our business structure, it’s our culture. Every employee has a shared stake in the success of Friesens, creating a workplace where people are invested in the quality of our work, the strength of our customer relationships, and the future of our company.
Our Employee Ownership Fundamentals:
- Everyone is included
- “We” before “Me” Philosophy
- Equitable Participation
- Beneficial ownership
- Ownership influences every strategy
- Perpetual ownership
According to employee-owners Albert and Jonie Sta. Maria, who have been with Friesens since 2018, “It’s the way the company makes you feel and being treated fairly. Your location and job title does not matter, you’re an employee-owner so your job is to do your best, regardless of your position, in order to make your company more successful. I love that it feels like we’re family working together while supporting each other.”
Why Employee Ownership Matters
Because Friesens is governed by employee-owners, rather than external shareholders, we can focus on long-term success rather than short-term gains.
This approach supports:
- Greater accountability and engagement
- Consistent quality and customer service
- Long-term business stability
- Resilient operations and supply chains
Ownership Beyond Our Walls
Our ownership extends beyond Friesens. We believe in taking ownership by being a community leader, ownership over our impacts on the environment, and ownership of our industry and literacy itself. Our decisions are driven by a commitment to the triple bottom line, balancing the well-being of our company, employees, and communities alongside financial performance.
Ownership in Action
Employee-owners contribute more than their work. They help shape the future of Friesens through shared accountability, participation, stewardship, and long-term thinking. This ownership mindset encourages innovation, collaboration, and a long-term commitment to doing what’s right for customers, fellow employee-owners, and the world.