If you want a generator built in the USA, look at home standby generators. Generac, Kohler (now called Rehlko) and Briggs & Stratton all assemble standby generators in U.S. factories, and Winco builds generators in Minnesota. Portable and inverter generators are a different story: most of the popular brands design them in the U.S. but build them overseas, mainly in China. Even “American” generators usually use some imported parts, so check the specific model.
Generator brands that build in the USA
| Brand | What’s built here | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Generac | Home standby generators (Guardian, PowerPact) and G-Force engines | Wisconsin plants including Whitewater, Eagle, Jefferson and Oshkosh |
| Kohler / Rehlko | Home standby and industrial generators | Sheboygan County, Wisconsin (Saukville and Mosel plants) |
| Briggs & Stratton | Home standby generators | Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Auburn, Alabama |
| Winco | Portable, industrial, PTO and multi-fuel generators | Le Center, Minnesota |
| Honda | Some generators assembled in the U.S. | Swepsonville, North Carolina (other models from Japan, China and elsewhere) |
Generac
Generac has built generators in Wisconsin since 1959. Its home standby generators are assembled at its Wisconsin plants from domestic and foreign parts, and the larger air-cooled models use G-Force engines that, according to Generac’s support site, are manufactured in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Smaller standby models and most Generac portables use engines assembled overseas. More detail: who makes Generac generator engines.
Kohler (Rehlko)
Kohler’s power business, renamed Rehlko in 2024, builds generators in Wisconsin. When it expanded its Mosel plant in 2014, Kohler said that plant would focus on industrial generators and its Saukville, Wisconsin plant would build its 8 to 20 kW home standby generators.
Briggs & Stratton
Briggs & Stratton builds home standby generators in Milwaukee, and in 2021 it added standby generator production at its Auburn, Alabama engine plant to more than double output. Many Briggs portable generators are made overseas.
Winco
Winco started in 1927 and has built generators in Le Center, Minnesota since 1977. It makes portable, industrial, tractor PTO and multi-fuel generators, mostly sold to farms, contractors and businesses rather than at big-box stores.
Where popular portable generators are made
Most portable and inverter generators sold at home centers are made in China, even when the company is based in the U.S.:
- Champion: based in California, generators built overseas. See who makes Champion generators.
- Firman: owned by China’s Sumec group. See who makes Firman generators.
- DuroMax: engineered in Ontario, California, and built overseas to DuroMax’s specs. See who makes DuroMax engines.
- Westinghouse: its FAQ says many generators are designed in the U.S. and made in China or Vietnam.
- Pulsar and Sportsman: built in China. See who makes Sportsman generators.
- Generac portables: mostly built overseas with Generac-designed engines.
- Honda: builds generators in Japan, China and other countries, and assembles some in North Carolina. Check the specific model.
How to check if a generator is really made in the USA
- Look for a “Made in USA” label. Under the FTC’s Made in USA standard, an unqualified “Made in USA” claim means all or virtually all of the product is made here. “Assembled in USA” or “Made in USA with global parts” means some parts are imported.
- Check the box and the data label. The country of origin is required on imported products.
- Ask the dealer about the specific model. Brands often build some models here and others overseas.
Shopping for a backup generator? Browse generators at Ace Hardware, and check each model’s country of origin before you buy. (We may earn a commission if you buy through this link.) For setup, see how a transfer switch works.
Related guides: Smallest Gas Generators You Can Buy, What is a CARB-compliant Generator and Where Are Westinghouse Generators Made.
FAQ
Are any portable generators made in the USA?
A few, mostly from smaller industrial brands like Winco. Most consumer portable and inverter generators are built in China, including models from U.S.-based companies.
Are Generac generators made in the USA?
Generac’s home standby generators are assembled in Wisconsin with domestic and foreign parts. Most Generac portables are made overseas.
Is Champion an American company?
Champion Power Equipment is headquartered in California, but its generators are manufactured overseas.