Sale follows Chooch founder’s retirement earlier in 2020
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Walthers now owns the well-known Chooch Enterprises model railroading company.
In an announcement earlier on Friday, Mike O’Connell, founder of Chooch Enterprises, says he sold his company to Milwaukee-based Wm. K. Walthers Inc.
O’Connell had announced his retirement earlier in 2020, along with his intent to close the business. The sale means the popular resin and flexible vinyl scenery products will continue to be available to modelers. O’Connell says all orders placed after Oct. 1 would be forwarded to Walthers for fulfillment.
“After some 46 years in business, I want to thank you all for your support!” O’Connell says. “It’s been a wonderful time for me. Imagine having a dream come true; making a living creating products for our great hobby!
“Now I hope to have time to REALLY work on my layout!”
Walthers will purchase all assets of Chooch Enterprises including all tooling and inventory of the Chooch resin-cast scenery and flexible scenery detail product portfolio. Walthers will continue to market and sell product under the Chooch name.
“We feel this product line has found a great home with us here at Walthers,” says Walthers President Stacey Walthers Naffah.
“We like having products to help modelers build a great layout, and we see this as a way to continue to do that,” Walthers Naffah said.
