Aebi Schmidt Group, a manufacturer or specialty vehicles, announced Monday an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of O.J. Watson Equipment, a family-owned municipal and commercial upfitter based in Denver. The pending acquisition will give Aebi Schmidt a direct presence in the Rocky Mountain region for the first time and strengthen its municipal business in North America.
“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,” Barend Fruithof, chairman and CEO of Aebi Schmidt Group, said. “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.”
OJ Watson has a history spanning more than 100 years. It upfits vehicles for municipal and commercial customers at its locations in Denver and Greeley, CO, preparing them for road and public infrastructure maintenance. The company has close relationships with municipalities, counties and cities and generated about $28 million in revenue in its last fiscal year.
Aebi Schmidt and OJ Watson have worked together for years, and the acquisition brings the partnership under one roof. OJ Watson will be integrated into Aebi Schmidt’s municipal business, giving customers in Colorado direct access to the group’s portfolio for snow and ice control, sweeping and road maintenance. Mark Eckrich, who owns and operates OJ Watson 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,” Eckrich said. “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.
