Premier Equipment Solutions launches employee equity program

Premier Equipment Solutions has launched an employee equity program that could provide workers with a payout equal to roughly one year of salary as the company looks to strengthen employee ownership and retention. 

Premier is also using the program to recruit workers and support acquisitions in the equipment dealer market, Chief Executive Andy Suhy told Equipment Finance News.  

The SHARE program provides eligible employees with an equity grant in Premier at no cost. 

The program “is a gift. It’s a grant. It’s not something they have to pay for,” he said. “In addition to that compensation package, they are earning equity through a grant in the actual business.” 

Employees could receive payouts based on Premier’s long-term performance through the phantom equity program, according to a Sept. 2 Premier release. 

Suhy said employees may realize the value of their grants following a future monetization event or the addition of another sponsor. 

The grants are subject to what Suhy described as a “typical” vesting period designed to reward loyalty and long-term commitment. Premier has not disclosed the length of the vesting period or specified which transactions would trigger a payout. 

For employees earning between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, that could translate to a one-time benefit of roughly $50,000 to $100,000, he added. 

“It’s meaningful. It can be life-changing,” he said. “It’s a reflection of their contribution to the value that they’re actually helping create.” 

Ownership aims to strengthen retention 

Premier settled on the one-year salary target after determining what level of benefit would be material to employees, Suhy said. 

“It’s tangible. It’s real. It’s material. Everybody wants to create an ownership culture. That’s one thing, but this is actually promoting the ownership culture with actual ownership equity grants.” — Andy Suhy, chief executive officer, Premier Equipment Solutions

The program is already changing how employees view their roles in the company, Stu Whitman, sales representative at Bobcat of Connecticut, a division of Premier Equipment Solutions, told EFN. 

“The SHARE program really changed the way I think about coming to work every day,” he said. “Knowing that every employee has a piece of what we’re building makes you want to push a little harder, take better care of the customer and help the company grow.” 

Equity program supports acquisition strategy 

The program also factors into Premier’s acquisition strategy, Suhy said. Owners of family-run equipment businesses frequently prioritize what will happen to employees when considering a sale. 

“The first thing that they’re worried about is their people,” he said. “The potential acquisition partners that we’re talking to, when they hear about the SHARE program, they get excited.” 

Acquisitions have been central to Premier’s growth since the company was formed in 2025 through the acquisition of Bobcat of Connecticut. Premier expanded again in April 2026 with acquisition of New England Power Equipment and Saybrook Rentals, adding a John Deere dealer and rental operation to its regional network. 

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