Milwaukee-based
Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. has acquired all assets of Washington-based Chooch Enterprises Inc., the model train distributor and manufacturer announced Friday.
Founded in 1979, Chooch Enterprises is a supplier of model railroad resin scenery products, freight car kits, fine detail parts and flexible wall products.
“We feel this product line has found a great home with us here at Walthers,” Stacey Walthers Naffah, president of Walthers, said in a statement. “We appreciate and value the creativity of Mike O’Connell and the Chooch product line. As a significant distributor of the Chooch line, Walthers is uniquely poised to take on ownership of the portfolio and put the energy of the Walthers brand behind it, bringing these exceptional products forward.”
Chooch Enterprises became the first company in the model railroading industry to offer polyurethane resin scenery and white metal products and has expanded its product offering to include adhesives, paints and flexible wall mount products. The acquisition follows the retirement of Chooch’s owner and founder, Mike O’Connell.
“After 46 years in the business, I want to thank you all for your support,” O’Connell said in a statement. “It’s been a wonderful time for me. Imagine having a dream come true; making a living creating products for our great hobby!”
Established in 1932, Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. distributes model trains, accessories, and related items from more than 200 manufacturers, and also manufactures its own exclusive items for its WalthersProto, WalthersMainline, WalthersTrainline, Cornerstone, SceneMaster, Walthers Controls, and WalthersTrack lines.
