ECCO Group Celebrates 40 Years

In 1971, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enacted job safety legislation requiring back-up warning alarms on all vehicles that operated off public roads. Recognizing the business opportunity created by the requirement, Carl Peterson established ECCO in 1972 and began marketing a limited line of back-up alarms.

Today ECCO Group offers one of the most comprehensive lines of commercial vehicle warning equipment in the world, has facilities on three continents, more than 500 employees and 1000's of customers, including many of the most prominent vehicle manufacturers.

Idaho Celebrates ECCO Group Success

ECCO Group's success was recently celebrated as one of the few companies to move up the rankings in the The Idaho Statesman's annual Private 75, a listing of Idaho's top 75 privately held businesses. Ranked 44th in 2010, ECCO Group jumped 6 places to 38th, one of only a few companies to move up the list this year.

To view the complete publication please click here

Chris Marshall Appointed President & CEO of ECCO Group

ECCO Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Marshall as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Group from January, 1 2010. Chris was previously the Managing Director of Vision Alert, ECCO Group’s European Headquarters based in Leeds, England.

Chris joined Vision Alert as Sales and Marketing Director in 2002 and became Managing Director in 2004. His prior experience included senior positions at Hella Ltd. and Lucas Industries as well as service as a Royal Naval Aircrew Officer. For the past eight years, Chris has overseen Vision Alert’s growth and development, which now employs 112 people and services over 60 countries including Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent.

Taking over the role of CEO from Ed Zimmer, who retired in October 2009, Chris Marshall explained, "This is a very exciting move for both myself and my family. Berwind was eager to ensure continuity within the Group following Ed’s departure and I’m delighted that I have been given this opportunity. The Group is immensely strong, but in an ever-changing environment I am looking to secure the Group’s sustainable growth and development strategies for the future". Denis Conlon, Head of Berwind Industrial Products commented, "It was vital that we found the right person to take over from where Ed Zimmer left off. It is a tribute to the Group that we were able to find a person from within to fulfill this role".

Nova Electronics Moves To Boise

We are pleased to announce that Nova Electronics will relocate during the 4th quarter of 2010 to Boise, Idaho, home of the ECCO Group. Since the acquisition and successful integration of Nova into the ECCO Group of companies back in January 2009, it became apparent that the production capabilities and operational requirements for ECCO-Boise and Nova are quite similar.

Nova’s growth and future expansion will continue, supported by the technical and manufacturing capabilities present in the Boise facility.  Over the past 31 years, Nova has driven remarkable success in the emergency lighting market world-wide.  To that end, we plan to continue that effort through a focused marketing approach using Nova’s existing sales force, catalog and distribution philosophy.