Employee Ownership in Action

Emprise - Nice-Pak Deal puts Employee Ownership First across city lines.

In a major move for both global growth and local economic impact, Emprise Group Inc., a 100% employee-owned company with operations in Grand Rapids, Michigan announced that its portfolio company Vivos Holdings will merge with Nice-Pak Products, a global leader in personal care and hygiene wipes.

While Emprise is based in St. Louis, its presence in Grand Rapids is a key part of the story. Grand Rapids ranks 12th in the country for the number of employee-owned companies, and this deal reinforces its role as a rising hub for shared-ownership success.

The combined organization will become one of the world's largest private-label and co-manufacturing providers of healthful living products—offering a powerful example of what employee ownership can achieve at scale.

"Being employee-owned means we invest in people first," said Richard Koulouris, CEO of Emprise. "This combination strengthens our ability to create long-term value for both our customers and our employee-owners."

This transaction brings together over 2,700 employees globally, including the 1,200+ employee-owners already part of the Emprise network. Nice-Pak—known for products like the original

Wet-Nap® and resealable baby wipe packs—adds manufacturing strength and global reach.

At the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership (MICEO), we see this as a milestone moment that aligns with our mission: helping business owners and communities across the state explore and adopt employee ownership. As Michigan invests in this model, through programs like the $500,000 state pilot launched in 2025.

Why It Matters:

• Local leadership: Emprise's Grand Rapids facility is part of a growing network of Michigan-based employee-owned companies.
• Broad-based benefit: Employee ownership drives wealth-building, retention, and stronger communities.
• Real-world validation: This deal is among the largest ESOP-led acquisitions ever—proof that the model works, even at a global scale.

This is more than a merger. It's a celebration of what happens when two communities, built on the foundation of employee ownership, come together to grow something greater across city lines. Thanks to Alice Clark, CHRO, Emprise Group Inc., for their partnership with the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership.