Who makes Generac Generator Engines? [Answered]

There is some history to the Generac story and its interaction with other named brands.  Generac, a Wisconsin-based company, was founded in 1959.  Initially, Craftsman portable generators were produced by Generac for companies like Sears.  With over 60 years in the industry, they made a name for themselves providing high quality generators. They offer an array of sizes from the smallest, portable generator to larger, standby generators used commercially. 

Generac’s products include home and commercial standby generators, portable generators, trailer-mounted mobile generators, high quality light towers, and power washers. 

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Check some of them out at Ace

They also sell them at Walmart

Briggs & Stratton and Generac have history between them. 

In 2001, Briggs acquired Generac Portable Products from the New York-based investment firm Beacon Group.  It then formed Briggs & Stratton Power Products and became a competitor of Generac with some products.  The Beacon Group had purchased the consumer products division, Generac Power Systems, in 1998. 

Previously, Generac had a non-compete agreement with the Beacon Group.  When that expired in 1998 it opened the way for them to expand their position in the portable generator market, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Generac is currently a subsidiary of Generac Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNRC).  Generac went public in 2010 as one of the largest generator producers in the industry.  Their generators are sold at retailers across the world and marketed for their performance and quality. The Generac name is commonly seen on commercial generators and in recent years has been marketing heavily to the home standby generator market.

Another popular generator brand, DeWalt, a subsidiary of Stanley, Black and Decker, is renowned as a U.S. based tool and power equipment company.  However, their generator line is not all made in the U.S. and is manufactured under license by Generac.

One may wonder with all the players over the years who contributes to  the engines for Generac generators?  In a quote from their Portable Generator FAQs, their engines are made by Generac Power Systems, a manufacturing company with facilities in Eagle and Whitewater, Wisconsin.  It states that the engines are built on-site by Generac at its Whitewater factory, although there is conflicting information that some engines are produced in China, where Briggs & Stratton has a plant.

Troubles between Generac and Briggs & Stratton were reported in August, 2020, when Generac Power Systems filed to acquire some Briggs & Stratton Corporation product lines following B&S’s July filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. 

The feud between the neighboring companies, with headquarters just 20 miles apart, is a result of two philosophies of business:  one has a commitment to technology and innovation; the other a desire to expand their market share and sell to new customers.  However, Generac did not pursue its interest in acquiring any of Briggs & Stratton by the end of August (2020) deadline.

Briggs & Stratton’s bankruptcy filing came as the result of a financial decision to pay executives more than $5 million in bonuses instead of making a $6.7 million interest payment on debt.

Briggs employs about 5,000 people worldwide.

Generac’s share price at the time of the bankruptcy filing was $180, up from $13 when it went public in 2010.  Generac employs about 5,700 with business in over 150 countries.

Briggs’ investor presentation had a heavy focus on dividend yield, market cap, earnings per share and other financial measures. Generac’s focused on net sales and cash flow in their investor presentation. Their claim was the company’s people, especially technical people, and its diverse group of customers was as important as the financial aspect.

Generac has moved into the solar technology field, as well.  They acquired Pika Energy, a solar company and Generac Power Systems is acquiring Chilicon Power, a California-based solar technology company. waukesha-based-generac-acquires-chilicon-solar-power-tech-company/7874479002/

Generac’s claim to focus on the technology was challenged recently with the recall of more than 321,000 portable generators.  The issue causing the recall was an unlocked handle that pinched consumer’s fingers against the frame when the generator was moved.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that Generac received eight reports involving seven amputations and one crushed finger.  The recall applies to 32 different models sold at almost every major generator retailer and includes units sold as far back as 2013.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has released the following:

The recall includes 32 different models of 6,500-watt and 8,000-watt portable gasoline generators, the vast majority of which were sold under the Generac name.

It covers the following units: Generac XT8000E, XT8000EFI, GP6500, GP6500E, GP8000E and HomeLink 6500E portable generators, and DR models PRO 6500M and PRO 6500E portable generators. The CPSC has stated that the model number is printed on the generator itself. (“Generac Portable Generator Recall | Amputation and …”).

If you have one of the portable generators on the recall list purchased from June 2013 through June 2021, stop using it until the locking pin repair kit has been installed.  The free repair kit can be ordered from Generac.

Who makes Generac Generator Engines?

FAQ

Where are Generac engines made?

Their engines are made by Generac Power Systems, a manufacturing company with facilities in Eagle and Whitewater, Wisconsin.  The engines are built on-site by Generac at its Whitewater factory, although there is conflicting information that some engines are produced in China. (“Portable Generator FAQs – Generac Power Systems”)

What brand engine does Generac use?

Their engines are made by Generac Power Systems, a manufacturing company with facilities in Eagle and Whitewater, Wisconsin. The engines are built on-site by Generac at its Whitewater factory, although there is conflicting information that some engines are supplied by Briggs & Stratton and produced in China, where Briggs & Stratton has a plant. (“Portable Generator FAQs – Generac Power Systems”)

Does Briggs & Stratton own Generac?

Briggs & Stratton and Generac have history between them.  In 2001, Briggs acquired Generac Portable Products from the New York-based investment firm Beacon Group.  It then formed Briggs & Stratton Power Products and became a competitor of Generac with some products.

Generac went public in 2010 as one of the largest generator producers in the industry.  Generac is a subsidiary of Generac Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNRC)

Are Generac generators made in China?

The engines are built on-site by Generac at its Wisconsin factory, although there is conflicting information that some engines are supplied by Briggs & Stratton and produced in China, where Briggs & Stratton has a plant.

“Generac G-FORCE® and OHVI engines are designed and manufactured by Generac Power Systems Inc. at our facilities in Wisconsin. (“Portable Generator FAQs – Generac Power Systems”) The Generac OHV engines are not engineered or manufactured in the U.S.”

Are Generac engines reliable?

With over 60 years in the industry, they made a name for themselves providing some high-quality generators. They offer an array of sizes from the smallest, portable generator to larger, standby generators used commercially. 

Generac’s products include home and commercial standby generators, portable generators, trailer-mounted mobile generators, high quality light towers, and power washers.  While there are some negative claims with the Better Business Bureau, most responses indicate isolated issues.

Does Generac make DeWalt generators?

DeWalt is renowned as a U.S. based tool and power equipment company.  However, their generator line is not all made in the U.S. and is manufactured under license by Generac.

Are Generac portable generators safe?

For the most part, the answer is yes, however, there has been a recent recall of 361,000 portable generators sold between June, 2013 and June, 2021 due to an unlocked handle. Seven amputated fingers and one crushed finger were reported when fingers were pinched between the handle and generator body. The solution is a locking pin that can be ordered for free from Generac.

Who Owns Generac?

Generac is a subsidiary of Generac Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNRC), a leading producer of commercial and industrial portable and standby generators.

About Chad & Rick

Chad and Rick are the father son team behind Generator Hero. Rick is an engineer and manager, he’s used generators his whole life and specializes in fact checking our articles. Chad is a writer and webmaster helping to keep things running smoothly on the site. Read more about Rick and Chad, or send a message using this contact form.

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