Serial entrepreneur Greg Pickren has acquired Hydro-Turf from founder, Arno Olbricht. “For more than 30 years Hydro-Turf has been and still is the leader in watercraft traction mats and seat covers, and we are extremely excited about this acquisition,” says Pickren of the landmark acquistion. “Mr. Olbricht certainly deserves a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to the industry.”
Olbricht founded Hydro-Turf in 1990 during the height of the PWC boom and became the industry leader in watercraft traction mats and seat covers with multiple original equipment and aftermarket distributor and dealer accounts. The Anaheim, California-based operation later expanded to include the HT Moto line of seat covers for the motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV and Side-By-Side industries.
“Founding and growing Hydro-Turf to the company that it is today has been my passion for most of my adult life,” says Olbricht. “I will miss the daily challenges of running the business, but I am confident that the company has a bright future under the direction of Mr. Pickren.” The company will be relocated to a new, larger manufacturing facility in Clearwater, Florida during the first quarter of 2021.
“Hydro-Turf will continue to provide the same outstanding level of customer service and product quality, something for which the company has been known for over the last 30 years,” added Pickren. Hydro-Turf is a natural fit with Pickren’s family of companies and brands which include Marine Mat, SEI Marine Products, API Marine, 4XPro, East Lake Axle, Watercraft Superstore, SBT, BlackTip Jet Sports, Adonis Impellers and Pacific Big Wave. They are headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and have manufacturing facilities in the United States and Taiwan. The collective group of companies have 300 employees and annual sales of $70 Million.
