PULLMAN, WA — Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) has been ranked the 13th largest majority employee-owned company in the United States, according to the National Center for Employee Ownership’s annual “Employee Ownership 100” list.

The Pullman-based manufacturer of electric power system protection and control technology has steadily moved up the list over the past several years, rising from No. 22 in 2022 to its new position in 2025.

Executive Vice President Joey Nestegard said the recognition reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to employee ownership, a structure he said encourages workers to “think and act like owners,” benefiting customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities SEL serves.

SEL established its employee stock ownership plan in 1994 and became fully employee-owned in 2009. The company now employs more than 7,400 people across more than 100 locations worldwide, including major manufacturing centers in Washington, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, and North Carolina.

The NCEO list highlights companies that are at least 50% employee-owned, with most—SEL included—being completely employee-owned. Combined, the companies on the list employ more than 655,000 people.

SEL designs and builds digital technology that protects power grids in 173 countries. Founded in 1984, the company provides global technical support and maintains a 10-year warranty on its products.

More information about the NCEO rankings can be found at nceo.org.