The Shyft Group and Aebi Schmidt Group Announce Successful Completion of Merger, Creating Global Specialty Vehicle Leader

Rhea-AI Summary

The Shyft Group (NASDAQ: SHYF) has successfully completed its merger with Aebi Schmidt Holding AG, creating a global leader in specialty vehicles. The combined entity will operate as Aebi Schmidt Group and begin trading on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "AEBIV" for when-issued trading on July 1, 2025, followed by regular-way trading under "AEBI" on July 2, 2025.

The merger unites two organizations with complementary strengths - Shyft's North American leadership in specialty vehicle manufacturing and Aebi Schmidt's global expertise in mission-critical infrastructure, environmental, and agricultural solutions. The combined company aims to leverage expanded geographical reach across North America and Europe, complementary product portfolios, and enhanced operational capabilities.

As part of the transaction, Shyft's common stock will be delisted from NASDAQ. The newly formed Aebi Schmidt Group will be led by Barend Fruithof as Group Chief Executive Officer and James Sharman as Chairman of the Board.

Positive

• Creation of a differentiated global leader in specialty vehicles sector
• Expanded geographical reach across North America and Europe
• Complementary product portfolio combination
• Enhanced operational capabilities through merger
• Potential for accelerated innovation and market leadership

Negative

• None.

Insights

M&A and Corporate Strategy Expert

Shyft Group has completed its merger with Aebi Schmidt, creating a global specialty vehicle leader with expanded reach and complementary product portfolios.

The completion of this merger transforms The Shyft Group (NASDAQ: SHYF) into a larger, more diversified global entity now operating as "Aebi Schmidt Group." This strategic combination unites two complementary businesses - Shyft's specialty vehicle manufacturing expertise in North America with Aebi Schmidt's global infrastructure and environmental solutions capabilities.

The merger creates significant geographic diversification, expanding the company's footprint across North America and Europe, which should help mitigate regional market fluctuations. The combined entity benefits from product portfolio synergies, bringing together Shyft's commercial vehicle expertise with Aebi Schmidt's infrastructure and agricultural solutions.

Investors should note the ticker symbol changes: trading begins under "AEBIV" (when-issued basis) on July 1, 2025, and transitions to "AEBI" (regular-way basis) on July 2, 2025. Former Shyft shares will be delisted from NASDAQ.

While financial terms and integration details aren't provided, management's statements emphasize scale advantages, innovation acceleration, and long-term value creation potential. The combined organization likely gains operational leverage through shared manufacturing expertise, supply chain optimization, and cross-selling opportunities across their expanded customer base.

Combined company named Aebi Schmidt Group

Trading on NASDAQ expected to begin July 1, 2025

Shyft common stock delisted from Nasdaq

NOVI, Mich., July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --The Shyft Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHYF) ("Shyft"), the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service markets, today announced the successful completion of the previously announced merger (the "Transaction") of an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Aebi Schmidt Holding AG ("Aebi Schmidt"), a global provider of mission-critical infrastructure, environmental, and agricultural solutions, with and into Shyft.

The combined company, now operating as "Aebi Schmidt Group", is strategically positioned as a differentiated global leader in the specialty vehicles sector, with expanded reach across North America and Europe, complementary product portfolios, and enhanced operational capabilities. Shares of Aebi Schmidt Group are expected to begin trading on the NASDAQ (i) on a "when-issued" basis under the ticker symbol "AEBIV" on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 and (ii) on a "regular-way" basis under the ticker symbol "AEBI" on Wednesday July 2, 2025.

"We are proud to unite two outstanding organizations under the Aebi Schmidt Group name," said Barend Fruithof, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aebi Schmidt Group. "This merger brings together deep engineering expertise, strong customer relationships, and a shared focus on delivering essential solutions for infrastructure and mobility. With our combined scale and talent, we are positioned to accelerate innovation, enhance our global market leadership, and generate long-term value for our stakeholders."

James Sharman, Chairman of the Board of Aebi Schmidt Group, added: "This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Shyft. By having Shyft and Aebi Schmidt join forces, we are creating an organization with the scale, diversity, and operational strength to lead in the evolving specialty vehicle industry. The combined company will be uniquely equipped to deliver customer-driven solutions, build on shared values, and capture new opportunities in both established and emerging markets."

ABOUT THE TRANSACTION
On December 16, 2024, Shyft and Aebi Schmidt announced a definitive agreement to consummate the merger of an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Aebi Schmidt with and into Shyft in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the agreement:

• Each share of Shyft common stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time of the merger was exchanged for approximately 1.04 shares of the combined company's common stock.
• The Transaction was structured to be tax-free to Shyft shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
• The merger was approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

Upon consummation of the Transaction on July 1, 2025, the combined company began operating as Aebi Schmidt Group. On a U.S. GAAP pro forma basis, Aebi Schmidt Group reported $1.9 billion in combined revenue and $148 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2024.

MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
As previously announced, Barend Fruithof will serve as Group Chief Executive Officer of Aebi Schmidt Group. James Sharman will serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aebi Schmidt Group. The combined leadership team brings together talent and expertise from both legacy organizations and is focused on ensuring a seamless integration and sustained performance moving forward.

DELISTING OF SHYFT COMMON STOCK
In connection with the merger, Shyft's common stock has been delisted from the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Shyft has requested that NASDAQ file a Form 25 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") to formally remove its common stock from listing and registration under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Following the effectiveness of the Form 25, Shyft intends to file a Form 15 with the SEC to suspend its reporting obligations under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

About The Shyft Group
Shyft is the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets. Our customers include first-to-last mile delivery companies across vocations, federal, state, and local government entities; the trades; and utility and infrastructure segments. Shyft is organized into two core business units: Shyft Fleet Vehicles and Services™ and Shyft Specialty Vehicles™. Today, its family of brands include Utilimaster^®, Blue Arc™ EV Solutions, Royal^® Truck Body, DuraMag^® and Magnum^®, Strobes-R-Us, Spartan^® RV Chassis, Builtmore Contract Manufacturing™, and Independent Truck Upfitters. Shyft and its go-to-market brands are well known in their respective industries for quality, durability, and first-to-market innovation. Shyft employs approximately 2,900 employees and contractors across campuses, and operates facilities in Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Saltillo, Mexico. Shyft reported sales of $786 million in 2024. Learn more at TheShyftGroup.com. 

About Aebi Schmidt Group
Aebi Schmidt Group is the global leader in intelligent solutions for customers who care for clean and safe infrastructure and cultivate challenging grounds. The unique variety of its range of products comprises its own vehicles as well as innovative attachable and demountable devices for individual vehicle equipment. The products combined with a support and service programme perfectly tailored to sophisticated customer needs offer the appropriate solution to nearly any challenge. The globally active Group with headquarters in Switzerland has generated net sales of over 1 billion EUR in 2024 and employs around 3,000 people in 16 sales organisations and over a dozen production facilities worldwide. The company is represented in a further 90 countries through established dealer partnerships. The portfolio consists of the product brands Aebi, Schmidt, Nido, Arctic, Monroe, Towmaster, Swenson, Meyer, MB and ELP – all well-established on the market, some of which have been represented for more than 100 years.

Forward Looking Statement
This release contains information, including our sales and earnings guidance, all other information provided with respect to our outlook for 2024 and future periods, and other statements concerning our business, strategic position, financial projections, financial strength, future plans, objectives, and the performance of our products and operations that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in those sections. Generally, we have identified such forward-looking statements by using words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "potential," "future," "may," "will," "should," and similar expressions or by using future dates in connection with any discussion of, among other things, the construction or operation of new or existing facilities, operating performance, trends, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, statements relating to volume changes, share of sales and earnings per share changes, anticipated cost savings, potential capital and operational cash improvements, changes in supply and demand conditions and prices for our products, trade duties and other aspects of trade policy, statements regarding our future strategies, products and innovations, and statements expressing general views about future operating results. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only Shyft's beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Shyft's control. It is possible that Shyft's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the time made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from Shyft's historical experience and our present expectations or projections. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from Shyft's historical experience and our present expectations or projections. More information about factors that potentially could affect our financial results is included in our filings with the SEC, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings, which are available at www.sec.gov or our website. All forward-looking statements in this release are qualified by this paragraph. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

CONTACTS

Media and Investors:
Randy Wilson
Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasury
The Shyft Group
Randy.Wilson@theshyftgroup.com
investor.relations@theshyftgroup.com  
248.727.3755

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SOURCE The Shyft Group, Inc.

FAQ

When will Aebi Schmidt Group (formerly The Shyft Group) begin trading on NASDAQ?

Aebi Schmidt Group will begin trading on NASDAQ under ticker 'AEBIV' (when-issued) on July 1, 2025, and under 'AEBI' (regular-way) on July 2, 2025.

What happens to The Shyft Group (SHYF) stock after the merger with Aebi Schmidt?

The Shyft Group's common stock will be delisted from NASDAQ as the company merges into the new Aebi Schmidt Group.

Who are the key leaders of the newly merged Aebi Schmidt Group?

The combined company will be led by Barend Fruithof as Group Chief Executive Officer and James Sharman as Chairman of the Board.

What are the main benefits of the merger between Shyft Group and Aebi Schmidt?

The merger combines Shyft's North American specialty vehicle leadership with Aebi Schmidt's global infrastructure expertise, creating enhanced operational capabilities, expanded geographical reach, and complementary product portfolios.

What markets will the combined Aebi Schmidt Group serve?

The combined company will serve commercial, retail, and service markets with specialty vehicles, as well as providing mission-critical infrastructure, environmental, and agricultural solutions across North America and Europe.