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 this requirement, Carl Peterson established ECCO in September 1972 and began marketing a limited line of back-up alarms.

Throughout the seventies ECCO focused on marketing back-up alarms to aftermarket distributors and OEMs. In 1982, driven by a need for improved products in the growing back-up alarm industry, ECCO released the Smart Alarm®, a product that automatically adjusts its output level based on ambient noise. The Smart Alarm® was the world’s first ever self-adjusting back-up alarm and was issued a patent in 1986. This innovation was followed in 1985 with the release of the first ever Reverse Motion Sensor (RMS), solving yet another industry problem. The RMS was designed to activate a back-up alarm whenever a vehicle rolls backwards, in any gear, with the ignition on or off. Traditionally back-up alarms would only activate when a vehicle was in reverse gear with the ignition on. ECCO’s solution eliminated the inherent dangers of this situation. The Smart Alarm® and RMS firmly established ECCO as the back-up alarm industry leader in product innovation.

Also In 1985, Jim Thompson, ECCO’s current chairman joined the company purchasing 50% of its stock. This was followed a year later by Jim Thompson, Ed Zimmer and Ray Woods acquiring the remaining shares in ECCO. As interest in ECCO and its innovative line of products became more widespread, new manufacturer representatives were added, trade publicity fueled further interest, the 500 Series alarm line was released and the current ECCO logo was designed.

In March 1992, ECCO purchased the assets of Tonemaster Electronics Co located in Peoria, Illinois. This marked ECCO’s entry into the amber warning light market, a product line that is fitted to the same vehicles as back-up alarms and reaches the end user through the same distribution channels. This was a strategic acquisition designed to protect ECCO’s customer base from competitor consolidation and ensure ECCO’s ability to grow.

On February 7th 1994 ECCO was awarded certification to ISO-9001, becoming not only the first emergency warning company in North America to do so but also the first company in the USA with less than 100 team members to earn the distinction.

During 1996 ECCO introduced a proprietary line of rotating lights and Safety Directors™ to support customer desire to source more of their commercial vehicle products from one preferred supplier. In June 1997 ECCO relocated to an 80,000 square foot manufacturing facility on 6.5 acres in Boise, supporting ECCO’s growth plan for the next 5 years and providing easy expansion to meet future growth targets. Also, in September 1997 ECCO celebrated its 25th anniversary. In June 1998, ECCO acquired Vision Alert, a warning light manufacturer located in Leeds, England. This merger helped fill out ECCO's product line, provided a manufacturing facility in Europe, and established a global market presence with a global product range.

In the 1st quarter of 1999 Jim Thompson became company Chairman and Ed Zimmer was appointed CEO/President. In late 1999 ECCO released into production the Navigator lighting system, Audible Signal Devices (piezos) and J-Bolt Strobe Light. In 2001 ECCO continued to lead the way in new technology with the introduction of the i.beam® Strobe Light, a product containing a fault diagnosis indicator designed to assist consumers in identifying flash tube failures.

During 2002, ECCO celebrated its 30th year with the introduction of several innovative new products including an expansion into the full size lightbar business with the release of the 60 Series Evolution®, featuring belt-driven rotators offering the lowest noise level in the industry. Also in 2002 ECCO released a proprietary line of remote strobe power supplies with a level of rugged durability previously unseen in the industry, enabling users to fit the unit anywhere on the vehicle without fear of environmental damage.

In November 2003 ECCO acquired Hazard Systems, the Pacific Basin market leader in warning lights and sirens for emergency service vehicles. The merger further expanded the product lines of ECCO, Vision Alert and Hazard Systems, allowing the amalgamation of each businesses unique competencies, bringing previously unseen products to each geographical marketplace and the enhancement of ECCO’s worldwide distribution network through the strategic use of each location.

In addition to organic growth the foundation of ECCO Group proved a highly efficient and effective platform to allow further growth through strategic aquisition. Subsequently the group has added Preco Safety Products (2008), a world renowned back-up alarm manufacturer, Delta Design (2008), a European LED and strobe light manufacturer and Nova Electronics (2009) a US based leader in warning lights for emergency vehicles to the brand portfolio. Also in 2009, following the retirement of Ed Zimmer, ECCO Group appointed Chris Marshall to the post of President & Chief Executive Officer.

ECCO continues to bring new and exciting products to the North American market through it's focus on new product development and exploiting the many product synergies between the various divisions of ECCO Group.