H-E-B now state’s largest private employer

H-E-B became the largest private employer in the state of Texas recently when the number of workers hired topped the 100,000 mark. With employees in both Mexico and Texas, the supermarket of the Lone Star State is now one of the largest retail employers in the U.S. as well. 
"This milestone represents our deep commitment to improving the lives of Texans and their families," said Craig Boyan, H-E-B chief operating officer, in a statement. "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."
Based in San Antonio, the 112-year-old company has more than 90,000 full- and part-time employees in its 332 Texas stores. Its 56 stores in Mexico have more than 10,000 employees. 
The company is also celebrating the anniversary this month of its Partner Stock Plan, an employee ownership plan. Referring to its employees as Partners, the company allocated a percentage of a participant’s eligible pay and $100 for each year of service. To honor the first year of the program, plan participants areagain receiving additional allocations to equal three percent of eligible pay.
"In business and in life, people matter most," said Tina James, H-E-B senior vice president for human resources. "Though simple, this philosophy has shaped H‑E‑B for 112 years. It's why we call our employees Partners – because we work together to achieve success and create a strong sense of pride within our stores and throughout the more than 300 communities we serve."
The chain is owned by the Charles Butt family, ranked as the 23rd wealthiest in the nation according to Forbes magazine. The 12th largest privately owned employer in the U.S., H-E-B is valued at $10.7 billion. 
Future plans include opening nine new stores in Texas and six in Mexico this year.