From the time Eskil W. Swenson was granted his first patent in 1938, innovation was at the heart of his company. After 35 successful years in the spreader business, Eskil retired in 1974. During this time, Eskil Swenson and Swenson Spreader Manufacturing were issued more than a dozen patents and contributed to innumerable innovations.

Hearing from the people who knew Eskil “Eck” W. Swenson, one theme comes through clearly: Meeting Eck was meeting a true innovator. It meant encountering someone who wasn’t just creative on occasion or during an 8-hour shift, but someone driven by relentless curiosity, simply because he didn’t know any other way to be. Eskil’s journey was that of a pioneer. His impact continues to shape our industry. Learn how Eskil Swenson’s remarkable career helped shape an industry, and how his influence continues to be felt today.

1923: A young and ambitious Eskil W. Swenson poses with his Model T during a sales trip through the winding roads of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains

Eskil’s Future Takes Shape

Swenson spent his early career travelling across the nation “peddling” rock crushers and prospered. However, after the stock market crash in 1929, Swenson fought through the economic hardship of The Great Depression. Around 1935, Swenson was contacted by the Director of the Rockford Sanitary District to help manage solid waste disposal, because of his expertise with pulverizers. A new design which he called the «Triturator» was born, developed, and tested with incredible success.

Seeing this as an opportunity, Swenson soon began Swenson Spreader Manufacturing in 1937 under the original name Cherry Valley Pulverizer Company. He launched the business on his family farm along Mulford Road in rural northern Illinois. In 1938, Eskil W. Swenson was issued patent #2,122,965 for the “Triturator.” In 1939, the company relocated to Lindenwood, Illinois, where it operated out of C.B. Strang’s former garage, located very near today’s Swenson operation.

A Safer Solution: Swenson’s Spreader Revolution Begins

By 1940, “Eck” had developed the idea for a spreader that was designed to be mounted on the back of a truck or car to spread cinders for winter ice control and or sand for summer seal-coat work. Dorothy Swenson Otto, Eskil’s daughter, said about material spreading at the time, “The accepted method of spreading sand and cinders onto icy roads was to have a workman stand on the load in the dump body and shovel the strips of aggregate onto the road below.  Ironically, a tragic winter accident in Elgin, Illinois, catapulted the potential for sales of my father’s simple and safe invention. A workman standing on the back of a truck shoveling sand onto the road fell to his death when the truck slid at an icy intersection.”

The city of Elgin, Illinois became Swenson's first sale.

During the period from 1940 to 1962, the primary product sold was the Swenson Chain Drive Spreader. Swenson Spreader Manufacturing continued to expand production and in 1962, Swenson introduced their first hydraulic spreader. Over the next few years several new models were launched, with E. W. Swenson holding many of the original patents.

A Major Breakthrough in Salt Spreader Technology

A persistent problem that plagued municipalities and commercial operations since the early days of road maintenance was controlling material spread at varying vehicle speeds. Accurate salt distribution was a constant concern. Not only for road safety but also for environmental and cost-related reasons. Unpredictable spreading often led to under-salted roads and increased safety risks, while oversalting was both environmentally damaging and very expensive.

Before 1967, the chain-drive system was the most accurate method available. It worked by connecting the spreader to the truck’s rear wheel via a mounted clutch. Because there was a direct relationship between the truck’s speed (wheel revolutions) and the spreader’s output, the faster the vehicle traveled, the more material it dispensed. However, this system was far from satisfactory.

As Richard F. Otto (Swenson’s sales manager and Eskil’s son-in-law) explained, “E.W. always wanted something better. He knew there had to be a better answer. He hired an engineer from Barber-Colman to work with him and the other engineers and designers in the Swenson shop. They focused on developing a method of automated control.”

Eventually, the team succeeded in creating a system using two synchronized sensors: one connected to the speedometer cable and the other to the feed mechanism. These sensors regulated the amount of material being spread by responding to impulses from the speedometer cable, allowing precise control based on vehicle speed.

Richard Otto recalled, “This is how we got into automated controls, and this was a really valuable patent because nobody else was doing it. We were the only ones in the industry to use this idea. To see it work so accurately was really amazing!”

Early block diagram of the Swenson automated spreader control system.

A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Innovation

Eskil W. Swenson's legacy is not only etched in the patents he held or the products he created, but in the enduring spirit of innovation he inspired. His relentless curiosity and visionary mindset transformed a business into a hub of creativity and progress. As Eskil’s granddaughter, Lisa Imhoff recalls, “He wasn’t like everyone’s grandfather, Eck was endlessly curious, always building or dreaming up something new. But more than anything, he was a wonderful and generous man.”

Swenson Products continues to operate in Lindenwood, Illinois. For more than 75 years, Swenson has delivered top-tier snow and ice control equipment to municipal, government, and private markets. In September 2015, Swenson Products, became part of the Aebi Schmidt Group. Swenson remains committed to innovation, performance, and reliability, keeping roads clear and communities safe, season after season.

Lisa Imhoff

Lisa is the eldest of Eskil Swenson’s three granddaughters. She grew up on the family farm in rural Cherry Valley, Illinois—the same land where her mother and grandfather, Eck, were raised. 
A graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in crop science, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison in art, Lisa followed her passion into graphic design, inspired by Eck’s vintage marketing materials. Like her grandfather, she enjoys photography and is dedicated to preserving the Swenson family history.

We're grateful to Lisa for keeping the Swenson legacy alive by generously sharing her grandfather's story.

Eskil Waldemar Swenson (March 23, 1901 – April 20, 1978)

At a Roofing Convention, circa 1958. (Left to right): Eck Swenson; R.A. Swanson; Sturges Rfg. Mfg., Hartum, Colo.; Richard F. Otto (Eck’s son-in-law); Glenn Johnson (Eck’s nephew); Philip Swenson (Eck’s brother); Jay J. Sturges, Sturges Roofing Co.

Finding the sweet spot between cost and value is a serious skill, whether you’re managing a shopping budget or running a business. For municipal fleets, landscapers, and private contractors who are looking for dump body equipment that can multi-task for year-round operations, the Swenson APB Select may fit the bill. Learn more about Swenson’s unique design and how it will get you the most mileage out of your money.

What is the APB Select?

Swenson developed the APB Select (which stands for All-Purpose Body) as a combination spreader/dump body that optimizes performance, boosts payload capacity, and enhances versatility, all while reducing overall maintenance costs. The APB Select is a cutting-edge combination spreader and dump body designed to meet the demands of vehicles in the 20,000 to 26,000+ lb. range. The APB Select features a cross-memberless underbody, which not only reduces weight, but also simplifies maintenance, boosting overall operational efficiency. With the APB Select, users gain a high-performance, all-in-one solution for various seasonal applications.

Dave Kjederquist, Director of Sales at Swenson, says, “The original APB design performed well in the Northeast where it was first introduced. However, with advancements in engineering design and the launch of the APB Select, Swenson has a product that’s really being accepted throughout North America. We’re delivering APB Selects from coast to coast in the United States and Canada and demand continues to grow.”

This tandem axle chassis features an APB Select with a flat-floor design. These versatile bodies can be built in lengths ranging from 9’ to 18’. Many other custom options are also available.

Why the APB Select is the Right Choice

This spreader/dump body is packed with features designed to be durable, versatile and enhance your operational efficiency. Here’s a closer look at what makes the APB Select stand out:

1. Increase Your Productivity
Thanks to lightweight, removable components and adaptable designs, the APB Select increases your vehicle’s payload capacity. This reduces the weight of the equipment, while also cutting down on maintenance time. The result? Better productivity and a more cost-effective operation.

2. Avoid Costly Repairs
When choosing equipment, durability is a top priority. The design of the APB Select includes low-mount conveyors and rugged underbodies that minimize the risk of damage. These elements ensure that the spreader/dump body maintains its integrity even under heavy use, extending its lifespan and reducing the need for costly repairs.

3. Power Through Every Season
The Swenson APB Select can quickly transition between spreading and hauling operations. The unit offers customizable options such as double-acting tailgates, which can open for dumping or stay down for flat hauling. This flexibility is key for users who need to handle a variety of tasks throughout the year.

4. Make it Your Own
In addition to the standard conveyor and dual auger options, the APB Select can be customized with a removable cartridge to easily switch between the conveyor or dual augers. Although the rear discharge is the most popular option, various options for a front discharge can include between the frame rails (driver or passenger side) or as a front-side discharge (driver or passenger side). The spreader/dump body also offers options for a flat floor or side slopes of 22°, 38°, or 45°.

This 11’ APB Select is decked out for winter, but it’s always ready to get the job done year-round.

One of Swenson’s first dealers, Kois Brothers Equipment Company, was instrumental in testing and developing some of the initial liquid spreaders and anti-icing equipment beginning in the 1990s. The Denver, Colorado-based truck equipment supplier saw the potential in the early stages of this new trend in snow removal. We sat down with Dave Kjederquist from Swenson as well as Gary, Ernie, and Scott Kois to discuss the experience and share laughter with good friends. Although the Kois brothers recognized the bright future for deicers and sprayers, it took teamwork between Kois and Swenson to design and build an efficient and reliable system.

Dave Kjederquist, Director of Sales at Swenson, said, “It seems funny now, but those were different times. Originally, Swenson didn’t want anything to do with the anti-icing equipment. The early formulas that ensured good performance (including the correct placement and distance of the pumps to the sprayers) added a lot of tricky variables that made it tough to develop a reliable design.”

An Idea Forms
Ernie Kois offered, “The ideas that started to appear in the industry about liquid sprayers for snow and deicing really came from the developments in sprayers on the agricultural side. At that time, we were making our own poly tanks with our own molds, and we started experimenting with a variety of different ways to apply the technology to deicing because nobody was doing liquid. For the prototype, we had 1,300 gallons of liquid on an 8-yard sander. We ended up buying the sanders from Swenson with extended front rails. Then we stacked two 500-gallon tanks from Super Products on the front.”

Dave continued, “With Kois Brothers and others continuing to push the technology, Swenson started seeing a viable opportunity to step into the liquid sprayer market. In 1996, we worked with Kois and won a state contract for 35 deicers. Although the original Swenson/Kois design worked very well, the designs would continue to evolve.”

Dave added, “Later, in 2009, Scott (Kois) came to the Swenson facilities several times and assisted our engineers with some of his newer ideas about the technology. He helped us design the frame and leg stand and how those pieces could all turn and collapse inside. It was a challenging design, but despite our early hesitation, it got done and ended up being successful.”

“However,” Gary Kois offered with a smile, “that early design was so strong (and heavy) you could park a tank on it.”

A Lasting Partnership
Everyone agreed that the relationship between Swenson and Kois Brothers has been very valuable. Today, the liquid sprayer technology that began development with Kois Brothers has evolved into a highly efficient and reliable system, one that continues to set the standard in the industry. “It's not just about building products, it's about building relationships,” Dave added. “It’s a partnership that has lasted because we continue to innovate together, pushing boundaries to create solutions that work for our customers. Success is helped a lot by teamwork — friendship doesn’t hurt either.”

If you've seen the white streaks of solution on roads when snow or ice is in the forecast, you're probably looking at liquid brine. Since the nineties many parts of the U.S. have transitioned to spraying liquid salt instead of just spreading traditional rock salt and sand. But why the switch? It’s time liquid brine gets the recognition it deserves for being an effective “ice-fighter.”

The Logic of Liquid

Spraying liquid brine to fight ice and snow is designed to optimize the use of salt while reducing the environmental impact of traditional rock salt. When dry salt is spread on roads, much of it is either blown off by wind or displaced by traffic. The overuse of rock salt results in wasted resources, higher costs, and a less effective ice-fighting solution. Liquid brine, however, stays where it's sprayed and does the job efficiently.


The Advantages of Spraying Brine

Accurate Application: Unlike rock salt, which can bounce or be displaced by traffic, liquid brine stays put, ensuring a more targeted application.

Environmentally Friendly: Since 75% of liquid brine is water, is better for your gardens, grass, and the environment compared to traditional rock salt because it reduces runoff that could harm plants or pollute nearby water.

Cost Savings: Because less salt is needed, the use of liquid brine can significantly reduce costs—some reports indicate up to 64% savings in de-icing expenditures.

More Effective: Liquid brine works at much lower temperatures than rock salt—down to -45°F, while rock salt is typically ineffective below 10°F.

Larger Pre-treatment Window: Liquid brine solutions can be applied 24 to 48 hours before a snowstorm and start working immediately, unlike rock salt which requires moisture to begin working.

A Preventative Solution

Weather, as we all know, is very unpredictable. Local road crews often face variables such as traffic patterns, mechanical issues, and staffing shortages, making it challenging to keep roads clear during a storm. Brine is often applied as a pre-treatment before a winter storm to create a barrier on road surfaces, preventing the adhesion of snow and ice. This allows crews to be proactively clearing roads before the snow event even begins.

Brine to the Rescue: Before, During, and After

Before: Liquid brine can be applied up to 48 hours before snow or ice is expected. It helps prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement, making it easier for plows to clear roads. In some cases, it can even prevent accumulation altogether.

During: During extended weather events or heavy precipitation, liquid brine works wonders in preventing ice from forming, especially when rain turns to sleet or freezing rain. It sticks to icy surfaces immediately, preventing further ice buildup, something rock salt struggles to do, especially in cold temperatures.

After: Once snow has settled, and plows have cleared the bulk of it, liquid brine is still essential. In frigid temperatures, residual snow and ice can quickly turn into a slippery glaze, creating dangerous conditions. Liquid de-icing helps to mitigate this, ensuring safer roads.

Ice Ain’t Nice

There are many ways to fight snow and ice, and traditional rock salt and sand remain crucial tools for many weather scenarios. However, liquid de-icing has proven itself to be a high-performance alternative to rock salt. It’s worth noting that while liquid deicing solutions have a steeper learning curve—requiring careful mixtures to ensure effectiveness in different conditions—and a more complex setup for spraying, the long-term cost savings and effectiveness make it an attractive option.

Spraying liquid brine is here to stay, offering a smarter, more efficient way to manage ice and snow on our roads.