Watertown manufacturer Fisher Barton sold into ESOP

Watertown-based Fisher Barton, a manufacturer of blades, metal coatings, bronze gear components and other industrial parts, has begun its transition into an employee stock ownership program.

Included in its newly established ESOP are 525 eligible employees across its United States locations, including facilities in Watertown, Waukesha, Sun Prairie and Loves Park, Illinois. The company has roughly 425 employees in Wisconsin and 100 in Illinois.

“We all decided it was far better to retain the customer culture by going with an employee stock ownership program,” said Scott Hoffman, chief executive officer of Fisher Barton.

All management will remain in their roles through the transition, which began on June 1 and will be completed before the end of the year.

Fisher Barton considered selling to other companies but decided on the ESOP model in order to reward its employees, Hoffman added.

Through the transition, Fisher Barton will continue to focus on advancing its capabilities, strengthening its customer partnerships, and delivering quality solutions, according to an announcement from the company.

Fisher Barton was founded in 1973 and has grown significantly since, expanding operations internationally and locally, including the construction of a 56,000-square-foot facility in Waukesha in 2023.

The company’s website also lists a facility in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

“Our transformation over the past six years has fundamentally strengthened our business, our people, and the value we deliver to customers,” said Hoffman. “We’ve built a culture rooted in continuous improvement, operational discipline, and innovation—supported by strategic investments in our facilities, technology, and workforce. Transitioning to employee ownership is a natural next step, ensuring that those who drive our success every day have a direct stake in our future.”