The Employee-Owned Culture Powering Onex Inc.
Investing in Ourselves
When you walk into Onex Inc., you can feel it—something different is in the air. It's not just the hum of industrial equipment or the sight of molds and machinery in action. It’s pride. It’s ownership. It’s the kind of energy you only find in a place where every employee has a stake in the outcome.
At Onex, a leading American manufacturer of industrial furnaces and refractory materials headquartered in Erie, PA, the people behind our company aren’t just employees—we are owners. This employee-owned structure is more than a retirement perk; it’s a mindset that runs deep.
Pride in Ownership
Onex manufactures industrial furnaces and refractory shapes for some of the toughest, heat-intensive industries in America. But it’s the people powering those solutions that make the real difference. Our status as an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company gives every worker—from engineering to shipping—a direct hand in our success.
“As an employee-owned company, it was attractive for me,” shared Dan Pertl, Operations Manager. “Not only from a retirement benefit standpoint, but also because the contributions that people make to the company are more of a direct effect. We’re actually investing in ourselves.”
This sense of ownership creates a culture of accountability and enthusiasm that radiates from every department. From the precast shop to the sales team to the construction and combustion teams, our employees are not only building high-temperature solutions for the steel industry— we are also building a future for ourselves.
“The better you do, the better the company does, and essentially you will do better,” said Ed Bowes, a fabrication expert in the precast shop. “Because in the end, it’s your money. It’s not going out of state or out of the country. It’s going eventually in your bank account.”
Having a Seat at the Table
Ownership also means having a voice. Employees at Onex aren’t just heads down in our work—we are brought into decision-making, which creates transparency and connection. “They bring us in to help make decisions for the company,” explained Kyle Hansen, Precast Supervisor. “It makes you feel a little bit better about what you’re doing here.”
That sense of connection spills over into how people treat each other. “You build a relationship with everybody, and everybody’s amazing to work with,” said Suzanne Alexander, who supports the sales team. “I’m so blessed to have been brought into a company with such a great culture. It’s so much fun—and respectful.”
Happiness Breeds Success
For many, working at Onex has had a meaningful impact beyond the factory floor. “My main goal in life is to go home at night and walk the dogs,” Sean Gates in shipping and receiving shared with a laugh. “It used to be walking to shake off a rough day. Now it’s kind of a celebration. You go home at night, you’re refreshed, you’re happy. It definitely changes your life and your lifestyle when you’re happier.”
That happiness also means stronger roots in the Erie community. “Erie is my home—born and bred,” said Dan Pertl, operations manager. “It’s good to see manufacturing still alive and well here. The company’s been growing right along, and I see no end in sight.”
At Onex, being employee-owned isn’t just a business model—it’s a way of life. It means showing up not just for a paycheck, but for each other. It means celebrating wins, large and small, knowing they belong to everyone. And most importantly, it means believing that when you invest in your company, you’re truly investing in yourself.
Ready to Build Something That Lasts?
If you want to do work that matters, alongside people who care—join us in manufacturing jobs in Erie, PA. Explore careers at Onex
Watch our team in action in this behind-the-scenes video: Visit Onex Inc YouTube Channel
