Henny Penny Now Employee-Owned

The more than 600 employees of Henny Penny are now owners of the company.

The Eaton, Ohio, manufacturer became employee-owned through the sale of its stock to a newly formed employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) as of Dec. 30.

The transaction ensures Henny Penny and Wood Stone, both previously owned by the Cobb family, will remain privately held. “This is an exciting and historic day for Henny Penny, Wood Stone and our employees,” said Henny Penny Chairman Steve Cobb, who continues in this role. “Our employees always have been and will continue to be the key to our success.”

There will be no changes in leadership or operations for either Henny Penny or Wood Stone. Rob Connelly, name last October as president/CEO of Henny Penny, and Kurt Eickmeyer, president of Wood Stone, will continue in their positions, as will the senior leadership of both companies.

Henny Penny was established in 1957. In January 2014, it acquired Bellingham, Wash.-based Wood Stone.