Berlin Packaging: How Employee Ownership Forged a Top Workplace Culture

CHICAGO, IL – February 10, 2026 – Berlin Packaging, the world's largest supplier of hybrid packaging, has earned a coveted spot on Newsweek's list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Culture, Belonging & Community 2026. This recognition, which is determined through a rigorous independent study and cannot be applied for, highlights the company's success in fostering an environment where employees are not just workers, but valued stakeholders.

The award signals a significant achievement in an industry not always associated with progressive workplace initiatives. It places a spotlight on the company’s strategic efforts, particularly its landmark employee ownership program, which are reshaping the definition of corporate success beyond mere financial performance.

The New Gold Standard: The Rigor Behind the Recognition

In an era where employer branding is paramount for attracting and retaining top talent, awards for workplace excellence have become a critical metric. However, not all accolades are created equal. The distinction granted by Newsweek and its research partner, Plant-A Insights Group, stands out for its comprehensive and data-driven methodology.

The 2026 ranking is the result of an exhaustive analysis involving millions of data points. The process included a massive national survey conducted in 2025, which gathered over 2.7 million company reviews from more than 179,000 employees. To ensure a holistic view, this was combined with historical data from 2022-2024, incorporating an additional 4.9 million reviews. This vast reservoir of employee sentiment was further enriched by third-party data analysis and meticulous desk research into key performance indicators related to culture and community.

"The modern workplace has evolved beyond just a place to earn a paycheck," said Jennifer H. Cunningham, Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek. "Today's employees seek environments where they feel valued, heard and connected – workplaces that prioritize culture, foster genuine belonging and build strong communities. Companies that embrace these principles don't just attract top talent; they create spaces where people from all walks of life can collaborate, innovate and thrive."

The study's independence is a key factor. Companies cannot nominate themselves or pay for inclusion, ensuring the results are an authentic reflection of employee experience. This rigorous vetting process solidifies the award as a credible benchmark for corporate culture, making Berlin Packaging's inclusion a testament to a genuinely positive and inclusive work environment.

The Ownership Advantage: A Culture of Stakeholders

At the heart of Berlin Packaging’s celebrated culture is a transformative initiative launched in September 2024: the 1Berlin Shared Ownership Program. This global program granted an ownership stake to every employee across all levels and geographic regions, entirely at no cost to them. This move fundamentally shifted the traditional employer-employee dynamic, recasting the entire workforce as partners in the company’s long-term success.

By providing every team member with equity, the company aimed to instill an "ownership mindset." This strategy empowers individuals to take decisive action, innovate in their roles, and feel a direct connection between their daily contributions and the company's overall performance. The program is more than just a financial benefit; it is a structural pillar of the company's culture, reinforced through a robust commitment to transparency.

To support this new model, Berlin Packaging rolled out financial acumen training to help all employees understand the mechanics of value creation. This is supplemented by quarterly Ownership Updates from senior leadership, which provide clear insights into the company's performance and strategic direction. This open communication ensures that every employee, from the warehouse floor to the executive suite, understands how their work drives collective success.

“This recognition is an excellent validation of what we know to be true: a strong, inclusive culture is our greatest competitive advantage," stated Bill Hayes, Global CEO and President of Berlin Packaging. "It allows us to attract and retain the best talent, thrill our customers, and drive sustainable growth. When every team member feels empowered to bring their unique perspectives to the table and is treated as a stakeholder in our mission, we don’t just work better – we grow faster.”

This approach appears to be a powerful model for aligning the interests of the company with those of its employees, creating a virtuous cycle of engagement, productivity, and shared prosperity.

A Holistic Vision: Integrating People, Planet, and Profit

Berlin Packaging's commitment to excellence extends beyond its internal culture to encompass broader environmental and social responsibilities. The Newsweek culture award is not an isolated achievement but part of a pattern of holistic corporate citizenship. Just last year, the company was named one of America’s Greenest Companies 2025 by the same publication, a ranking that recognized its adherence to the European Union's stringent sustainability criteria—widely considered the global benchmark.

This dual recognition for both social and environmental leadership is particularly noteworthy for a company in the industrial packaging sector. It demonstrates a conscious strategy to integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its core business model. The company's mission, "to increase the net income of its customers," is now visibly balanced with a mission to improve the well-being of its employees and the planet.

The company’s social impact is also felt in the communities where its employees live and work. Through organized initiatives, team members are encouraged to engage in hands-on volunteering and support local partnerships. These efforts are focused on tangible outcomes in areas such as Disaster Relief, Environmental Impact, and promoting Health, Wellbeing, and Economic Security. This community engagement reinforces the sense of shared purpose cultivated within the company, extending its positive impact beyond the walls of its offices and factories.

By successfully weaving together a culture of employee ownership, a commitment to environmental stewardship, and a dedication to community impact, Berlin Packaging is not just supplying containers and closures. It is building a comprehensive model for what a responsible and successful 21st-century corporation can be, setting a high bar for competitors and demonstrating that a focus on people and planet can be the ultimate driver of sustainable growth.