H-E-B clipped a partner badge on its 100,000th employee this week, a milestone that confirms its position as the largest privately-held employer in the state of Texas and one of the largest privately-held retailers in the nation.
“It takes great people to build a great company, and we look forward to providing even more Texans with meaningful career opportunities that bring new experiences, growth and lifelong connections at H-E-B,” stated Craig Boyan, president and COO, in a company announcement released today.
With 332 stores in Texas, H-E-B employs more than 90,000 people in the state, and 10,000 in 56 stores throughout Mexico. More than 24,000 of those jobs have been added since the economic downturn of 2008.
By contrast, publicly traded Walmart employs more than 171,000 in its 584 stores and 19 distribution centers across Texas, according to its website.
Some H-E-B employees join the company as hourly workers and progress up to salaried manager positions, while many turn to H-E-B as a first job or a flexible option to work while pursuing higher education.
With sales of more than $23 billion, and a reputation for innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2015. This year, the company plans to add nine new stores in Texas and another six in Mexico, bringing what they estimate to be hundreds of jobs.
H-E-B is also marking the two-year anniversary of its Partner Stock Plan, an employee ownership plan for employees who are at least 21 years old, have completed at least one year of service and worked at least 1,000 hours in a calendar year. In 2015, the plan’s 55,000 participants received an allocation equal to 3% of eligible pay and $100 for each year of service.
Over time, H?E?B anticipates that employees will own approximately 15% of the company.
