100 Years of Briggs & Stratton

A legend of the Lawn and Garden Industry is celebrating its centenary this year. Briggs and Stratton has grown from small beginnings to become the largest producer of engines for outdoor power equipment worldwide.

What started out as a partnership between inventor Stephen F Briggs and investor Harold M Stratton in Milwaukee, USA in 1908, has led to the emergence of a global company.

The history of Briggs & Stratton has encompassed numerous milestones over the years and one of the major breakthroughs in engine design for petrol driven lawnmowers, was the introduction of Briggs & Stratton’s first aluminium lawn mower engine in 1950.

Whilst experiencing considerable growth and expansion over the years on both sides of the Atlantic and throughout Europe, the brand remains the hallmark for reliability and high performance in petrol engines for outdoor power equipment. They are fitted extensively by the major brand leaders in USA and Europe.

In the 1980s The Industrial/Commercial engine was launched, which helped strengthen Briggs & Stratton’s hold of its share in this market segment. In 1986 the world’s first CAD (computer aided designed) lawnmower engine – the Quantum was launched.

A recent development in Briggs & Stratton’s history was the acquisition of Generac Portable Products, Simplicity Mfg and the Murray brand between 2000 and 2005, further strengthening its product range. And in December 2006, Briggs & Stratton Corporation started production in its first European manufacturing plant in Ostrava, Czech Republic, underlining Briggs & Stratton’s commitment to the European market.

Typical of this US Company, it has always tailored its products to future market and industry requirements and needs. Pan European legislation on noise and emission controls has resulted in the launch of new engines, notably the DOV®.

The firm continuously monitors end-user needs, ensuring that its product range meets consumer requirements. One example of this is the ReadyStart® system launched by Briggs & Stratton, which is following demands for effortless machine starting.

2008 marks a huge milestone for Briggs & Stratton and there will be numerous activities taking place across the world to mark this momentous occasion.

Looking ahead Briggs & Stratton aims to continue its strong emphasis on good customer service and concentrate on highlighting the crucial part Western and Eastern Europe plays in its future business development.

About Briggs & Stratton Corporation

Briggs & Stratton is the world’s largest manufacturer of air-cooled 4-cycle petrol engines for outdoor power equipment, including lawnmowers, generators and pressure washers, as well as many industrial/commercial applications. Established in 1908 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, the company now designs, manufactures, markets and services these products for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in over 100 countries all over the world. Briggs & Stratton has a long-standing commitment to protect the environment and through continuous R&D investments has reduced the emissions produced by its engines by almost 75 percent since 1990. For the fiscal year ended July 1, 2007, group net sales amounted to US$ 2,1 billion (approximately € 1,5 billion). www.briggsandstratton.com