“We are delighted to welcome OJ Watson to the Aebi Schmidt Group. Until now, we have not had a presence of our own in the Rocky Mountains,” said Barend Fruithof, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aebi Schmidt Group. “OJ Watson closes that gap, and we look forward to growing with a company that has earned the respect and trust of municipalities and cities across the region.”
With a history spanning more than 100 years, OJ Watson upfits vehicles for municipal and commercial cus-tomers at its locations in Denver and Greeley, preparing them for road and public infrastructure maintenance. The company is market leader and deeply rooted in Colorado and has close relationships with municipalities, counties and cities. OJ Watson generated around USD 28 million in revenue in its last fiscal year.
Aebi Schmidt and OJ Watson have worked together successfully for years, and the acquisition now brings this partnership under one roof. OJ Watson will be integrated into Aebi Schmidt Group’s Municipal business, giving customers in Colorado direct access to the Group’s full portfolio for snow and ice control, sweeping and road maintenance. Mark Eckrich, who currently owns and operates OJ Watson together with his father, Dick Eckrich, will continue to lead the company as Managing Director.
“This is a significant step for our family and our team,” said Mark Eckrich, Managing Director of OJ Watson. “We know Aebi Schmidt from our work together, and we share the same values. As part of the Group, we can now draw on the innovation and expertise of one of the world’s leading specialty vehicle manufacturers, and our customers will benefit directly.”
The transaction is expected to close before year-end 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings per share in the first year after closing.