Briggs & Stratton history

In 1909, Stephen Foster Briggs was a young college graduate and inventor when he and Harold M. Stratton, a successful grain merchant, founded Briggs & Stratton Corp.

Nevertheless Briggs had a knack for inventions, and in 1910 he received a patent for a new gas engine igniter, which included a novel mechanism that could start an automobile engine with a single spark.

In 1919, the company acquired the A.O. Smith Motor Wheel and the Flyer, a two-passenger buckboard-like vehicle.

In 1920, the company expanded operations into the East Plant, a five story concrete and steel building at 13th and Center Streets in Milwaukee.

In 1922, their fledgling company set a record in the automotive industry, selling the Briggs & Stratton Flyer (the "Red Bug") at record low prices of US$125-$150.

In 1923, the Model PB engine was introduced, providing a popular and compact power source for washing machines, garden tractors, and lawn mowers.

In 1924, Briggs & Stratton reincorporated in the state of Delaware.

Production in 1925 of the overhead valve, horsepower, Model F series engine proved useful for a wide variety of industrial and agricultural equipment, including compressors, generators, and pumps.

In 1928, Briggs & Stratton acquired the Evinrude Outboard Motor Company, which it sold less than a year later.

In 1931, Briggs & Stratton introduced a best-seller for washing machine producers, a small low-profile engine that could fit under washing machine tubs.

For the ever-expanding automobile market, the company introduced in 1938 the Cushion Action Starter Drive, a new automobile self-starting mechanism that became standard on the Ford V8, Mercury, and Lincoln Zephyr.

In 1948, Briggs resigned to join Outboard Motors Corp., the company he helped found.

These were not only lighter than competing models but also could withstand greater engine pressure and temperatures. As a result, the company introduced in 1953 aluminum die cast engines with chrome plated pistons.

In 1954, Briggs & Stratton patented its new die cast technique for the production of four-cycle engines, which rapidly became the industry standard.

The Burleigh plant, built in Wauwatosa in 1955, was also expanded to keep pace with demand for Briggs & Stratton engines.

By 1965, sales volume had risen to a record $105.1 million.

In 1966, Forbes magazine estimated that 90 percent of its sales were in "small engines, used mostly in power lawn mowers but also in air compressors, pumps, generators, etc." The remaining ten percent were in auto locks and switches.

In 1976, Shiely became the company's chairperson and, by the time of his death in 1976, was also chief executive officer.

By 1980, Briggs & Stratton remained unrivaled as the world's lowest-cost producer of small engines.

In response, the company produced a slew of new products, including an improved line of its basic 3.5 and four horsepower engines introduced in 1985, as well as a wholly redesigned line of other engines.

When he resigned in 1988, Richard E. Marceau was elected president and chief executive officer.

The corporation had adopted an Economic Value Added business philosophy in 1990, which emphasized earning a cash return that was higher than the cost of capital.

In 1992, Briggs & Stratton reincorporated in the state of Wisconsin.

Having already built two plants in the South which had lower labor costs and a more productive work force, Briggs & Stratton made the decision in mid-1994 to move 2,000 jobs from Wisconsin to three new plants in the South within the next four years.

The Beacon Group had previously purchased the Consumer Products Division of Generac Corporation (now Generac Power Systems) in 1998.

In 2000, Briggs & Stratton purchased Generac Portable Products Systems, which produced pressure washers, generators, pumps and other home products.

In 2008, Briggs & Stratton announced it would be acquiring the Victa Lawn Care business from GUD Holdings Limited Australia for A$23 million.

In 2014, the Company acquired Allmand, a leading designer and manufacturer of high quality towable light towers, industrial heaters and solar LED arrow boards.

In 2015, Briggs & Stratton acquired Billy Goat Industries, a leading manufacturer of specialty turf equipment.

In 2019, Briggs & Stratton announced they would be closing their engine factory in Murray, Kentucky, with production being moved to their Poplar Bluff, Missouri facility.