Innovative Beginnings
We started way back in 1920 as the Farm Specialty Manufacturing Company, founded by Bruno F. Arps of New Holstein, Wisconsin. We planted our roots in the custom equipment manufacturing market with unique backhoes and farm equipment, and in 1926, snow track vehicles. Our `Claim to Fame` was the "Snow Bird", and over-the-wheel track system with front skis for Model `A` cars. The snow-automobile, discontinued in 1939, was used by Adm. Richard E. Byrd on his Antarctic expedition. In 1952 we became the Arps Corporation, and for nearly 100 years we have made creative solutions for equipment needs our primary focus.

Continued Growth and Development
We became Amerequip in 1983 when the assets and business of the Arps Division of Chromalloy American Corporation were purchased. At that time we had two manufacturing facilities and our Engineering Center located in the neighboring towns of New Holstein and Kiel, Wisconsin

We began as a design and build organization, marketing through distributors and dealers with some OEM activity. This history included providing medium duty backhoes for compact utility tractors as well as front-end loaders, front and rear blades, and post hole diggers. Commencing with the acquisition in 1983, we shifted to becoming primarily an OEM provider. Deere & Company (“Deere”) had been the principal customer. In 1985, we added contract manufacturing to our design and build capabilities in order to produce products designed by Deere.

On October 29, 1998, 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Amerequip was acquired by an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Trust. All full-time salaried employees of the Company were participants in the ESOP once they have met the eligibility requirements.

A New Vision
On February 1st, 2011, The Amerequip Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) sold its stock position to the company’s Management group. The sale allows our company to remain locally owned and managed, and to continue our strong support of the nearby communities. Amerequip presently has 150+ employees at four locations in the Kiel and New Holstein communities. We are a leading designer and manufacturer of accessories and attachments for the construction, utility and industrial equipment, lawn and turf-care equipment, and related products sold in global markets served by our OEM Partner Customers.

Backhoe - Manual