Briggs & Stratton

At this moment Briggs & Stratton is the world’s largest manufacturer of air-cooled gas engines (ranging from 3-to-31 horsepower) for use in lawnmowers, karts, pressure washers, wood chippers, electrical generators, etc.

The company was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1908 and today is based in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Their engines are known for their durability and low maintenance requirements.

The company started in 1908 as an informal partnership between Stephen Foster Briggs and Harold M. Stratton. The original intent of the founders was to produce automobiles. In 1922 the company set a record in the automotive industry, selling the lowest-priced car ever, the Briggs & Stratton Flyer (also called the “Red Bug”), at only US$125-US$150.

Eventually the company settled on automotive components and small gasoline engines. Briggs purchased an engine patent from AO Smith Company and began powering early washing machines and refrigerators. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1928.

During World War II, Briggs and Stratton produced generators for the war effort. The generators and the engines were made with aluminum, a major advancement for small engines. This development, along with the post-war growth of 1950s suburbs (and lawns), helped secure Briggs and Stratton’s successful growth in the 1950s and 1960s.

Stephen Briggs went on to purchase Evinrude and Johnson Outboards and start the Outboard Marine Corporation. Harry Stratton served as Chairman until his death in 1962.

In 1995, Briggs & Stratton spun out the automotive component business. The resulting company is Strattec Security Corporation.

In 2003, the company acquired its consumer generator business from the Beacon Group and formed Briggs & Stratton Power Products. The Beacon Group had previously purchased the Consumer Products Division of Generac Corporation (now Generac Power Systems) in 1998. In 2005, the company added Simplicity Manufacturing Inc, Snapper, Inc, and Murray, Inc to the Briggs & Stratton Power Products line.lawn mowers, tillers, snow throwers, portable generators, pressure washers, welders, and other related products.

Lawn and garden equipment manufacturers are their biggest customer.

Engine products include the Classic, I/C, Sprint, Quattro, Quantum, INTEK, and Vanguard brands. The engines are made in the US and are sold worldwide through its own sales and service centers.