Briggs & Stratton

Briggs & Stratton Corporation

Company type	Private
Industry	Manufacturing
Founded	1908
Founder	Stephen Foster Briggs Harold M. Stratton
Fate	Bankrupt and sale under section 363 to KPS Capital Partners
Headquarters	Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, U.S.
Key people	Joseph T. Liotine (CEO)
Products	Gasoline engines
Revenue	US$1.786 billion (2017)
Operating income	US$86 million (2017)
Net income	US$57 million (2017)
Total assets	US$1.451 billion (2017)
Total equity	US$559 million (2017)
Owner	KPS Capital Partners
Number of employees	5,200 (2019)
Website	https://briggsandstratton.com/

Briggs & Stratton Corporation is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in small engines, with its headquarters located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. By 2015, the company was producing close to 10 million engines each year. It maintains 13 major manufacturing sites across the United States and operates eight additional facilities internationally, including locations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, and the Netherlands. Its products reach more than 100 markets worldwide.

History

Established in 1908 by inventor Stephen Foster Briggs alongside investor Harold M. Stratton, the enterprise initially concentrated on producing automotive parts and compact gasoline engines.

In 1919, Briggs & Stratton secured the manufacturing rights for the Smith Flyer—a lightweight two-seat vehicle powered by a motor wheel engine. After improving the engine’s power output, the vehicle was reintroduced as the Briggs & Stratton Flyer, recognized as one of history’s most economical automobiles. The company sold the rights to this vehicle by 1925 but retained and adapted its motor technology for use in lawn mowers and other small machinery.

The company made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange in 1928.

Throughout World War II, Briggs & Stratton manufactured generators for military purposes and gained significant expertise in aluminum production—a skill set that facilitated its post-war growth during a period of suburban expansion and rising demand for lawn care equipment.

Stephen Briggs went on to establish Outboard Marine Corporation after acquiring Evinrude and Johnson Outboards. Leadership within Briggs & Stratton remained within the family as Harold Stratton’s son, Frederick P. Stratton Sr., served as chairman until 1962, followed by his son until 2001.

In 1995, the company divested its automotive components division, resulting in the formation of Strattec Security Corporation.

Briggs & Stratton broadened its product range by acquiring its consumer generator business from the Beacon Group in 2000 and later purchasing Simplicity Manufacturing Inc. and Snapper, Inc. in 2005. When Murray, Inc.—a key customer—collapsed owing $40 million, Briggs & Stratton acquired Murray’s brand assets to offset financial losses. In 2008, it expanded further by buying Victa Lawn Care from GUD Holdings Limited for A$23 million.

By 2019, production was consolidated following the closure of the Murray, Kentucky plant with operations moving to Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Confronted with financial difficulties, Briggs & Stratton filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 20, 2020. Shortly thereafter, KPS Capital Partners purchased a controlling interest for $550 million, finalizing the acquisition on September 22, 2020. This transaction erased about $900 million of debt accumulated prior to bankruptcy.

Acquisitions, agreements and joint ventures

• Farymann Diesel GmbH (1979–1984) – Located near Mannheim, Germany, this represented Briggs & Stratton's inaugural overseas acquisition, finalized on May 29, 1979. Despite capital injections, the firm faced challenges due to its focus on low-volume, customized diesel engines, which conflicted with Briggs & Stratton's preference for high-volume, cost-efficient manufacturing. Attempts to broaden diesel engine lines and create proprietary models were unsuccessful, leading Briggs & Stratton to divest Farymann in order to avoid financial exposure, as the US market predominantly favored gasoline engines.
• Daihatsu Briggs & Stratton (DBS) – To address competition from Japanese manufacturers during the 1980s, Briggs & Stratton entered a 50/50 joint venture with Japan’s Daihatsu Motor Company. Established in 1987 near Osaka, this facility produced vertical and horizontal crankshaft engines ranging from 12.5 to 22 horsepower under the Vanguard brand. By 2017, production of Vanguard V-twin engines was slated for relocation from Japan to Briggs & Stratton’s plants in Georgia and Alabama.
• Mitsubishi Agreement – A partnership was formed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Tokyo to boost sales of single-cylinder engines. Mitsubishi managed manufacturing and distribution logistics while Briggs & Stratton supplied components and held exclusive marketing rights across North America, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand. However, brand overlap and increasing Japanese production costs caused the collaboration to falter. In 2007, Briggs & Stratton resumed marketing domestically produced single-cylinder engines under the Vanguard name.
• Komatsu Zenoah Venture – In 1987, a contract was established with Komatsu Zenoah of Japan to produce a 2-cycle, 4 horsepower engine aimed at US and select international markets. The venture ultimately failed as rising yen exchange rates rendered the engine too costly for the American market.
• Toro Agreement – In 1999, Briggs & Stratton granted The Toro Company a license to manufacture a piston-ported 2-stroke engine (141cc) designed for Toro snow throwers. These engines delivered between 4 and 7 horsepower across various models produced from 2001 until production ended in 2011.

Innovations

• The aluminum engine – Debuted in 1953 to offer lighter-weight power units suitable for applications such as rotary lawn mowers; it was further enhanced in 1958 with the Kool-Bore (entirely aluminum) and Sleeve-Bore (aluminum combined with cast iron cylinder liners) variants.
• Easy-Spin Starting – Introduced in 1961, this compression release mechanism reduced the effort required to start engines. Following new U.S. safety standards enacted in 1982 mandating mower blades stop within three seconds after handle release, Briggs & Stratton adapted the Easy-Spin camshaft accordingly. By 1997, the intake-side Easy-Spin system was discontinued due to increasingly stringent emissions regulations.
• The Synchro-Balanced Engine – Created in 1966 to minimize vibration in single-cylinder engines by using counterweights that opposed the crankpin’s motion.
• The Twin Cylinder Engine – Launched in 1977 to compete with manufacturers such as Honda; initially rated at 16 horsepower (11.9 kW) with a displacement of 40 cubic inches, followed by an upgraded 18 horsepower (13.4 kW), 42 cubic inch model introduced in 1979. The initial 16 hp model was priced approximately $70 less than comparable single-cylinder engines.
• Industrial/Commercial (I/C) Series – Rolled out in 1979, this series ranged from 3 to 20.5 horsepower and targeted commercial users by incorporating heavy-duty features like Stellite exhaust valves, reinforced bearings, cast iron sleeved cylinders, and high-capacity air filtration systems.
• Briggs & Stratton Gasoline/Electric Hybrid Car – Developed during the energy crisis of 1980, this six-wheeled hybrid prototype combined a twin-cylinder 16 horsepower engine with lead-acid batteries. Only the second axle was powered while an additional rear axle supported battery weight.
• Magnetron Ignition – Launched in 1982, this solid-state ignition system replaced traditional points-and-condenser setups, reducing maintenance demands and enhancing reliability. Offered as an upgrade for engines manufactured since 1963, it positioned Briggs & Stratton competitively against Tecumseh’s earlier capacitor discharge ignition technology.

Logo evolution

Over more than eight decades, the Briggs & Stratton logo has undergone several transformations, consistently incorporating a masthead style.

• Pre-War logos (1931–1943) – Characterized by a diamond-shaped emblem featuring "Briggs & Stratton" with "MILWAUKEE, WIS., U.S.A." positioned beneath; included the phrases "4 CYCLE" and "GASOLINE MOTOR" alongside "MADE IN U.S.A." Around 1934, the diamond was divided, adding a banner element.
• Gold Logo (1948–1963) – Presented "BRIGGS STRATTON" and the Milwaukee location, accompanied by "4 CYCLE" and "GASOLINE ENGINE," as well as "MADE IN U.S.A."
• Gold Logo (II) (1963–1976) – Featured a refreshed logotype with horsepower ratings placed above the gold emblem; patent numbers were omitted. Some engines retained the 1948 design until 1977.
• Red, White, and Black Logo (1976–present) – The current design displays "BRIGGS STRATTON" in black on white, with "4 CYCLE ENGINE" in red at the top and the Milwaukee location in black at the bottom. The text on the upper and lower sections was removed in 1985 but continued as "ORIGINAL" and "SERVICE PARTS" until 1989.

Engine models

Flathead engines equipped with gravity-feed float carburetors unless otherwise specified.

Cast-iron models

Series numbers include:

• 5 (1950–1957), 5S (1949–1957; suction carburetor)
• 6 (1952–1957), 6H (1950–1955), 6S (1949–1957; suction carburetor)
• 8 (1949–1957), 9 (1948–1962), 14 (1948–1963)
• 19 series (1957–1965), including 19D (1963–1965)
• Variants of the 23 series from 1949 to 1965
• Mid-1960s to early 1990s models such as 233400, 243400, and 326430

Letter series comprise:

• Early models like A (1933–1948), B (1934–1948), F series ("Full Power," early 1920s)
• Application-specific engines: L & LA for washing machines, military FJ-1 and FJ-2 generators
• Industrial and marine versions: WM & WMI ("Washing Machine"), WI, WR & WMB equipped with suction carburetors
• Additional series including H, I & IS, K, N, PC power chargers, Q (the initial flathead model), R series, S, T, U, W & WA, Y, Z and ZZ

Submodels and variations featured:

• Gear reduction units introduced in 1934 for A, B, K, Z models and others later; identified by an "R" followed by ratio figures
• High-speed models marked with an "H"
• Lightweight variants utilizing aluminum components designated by an "L"
• Inboard marine engines with specialized bases lacking governors marked as "M," some equipped with forward neutral and reverse transmissions

These diverse offerings illustrate Briggs & Stratton’s broad portfolio serving industrial, marine, agricultural, and consumer lawn care markets.

Aluminum models

• 6B (horizontal shaft) (1955–1959)
• 6BH (vertical shaft) (1953–1958)
• 6BHS (vertical shaft; suction carburetor) (1953–1958)
• 6BS (horizontal shaft; suction carburetor) (1955–1958)
• 8B (horizontal shaft) (1955–1958)
• 8BH (vertical shaft) (1953–1958)
• 60100 (horizontal shaft) (1958–1991)
• 80100 (horizontal shaft) (1958–1977)
• 80200 (horizontal shaft) (1960–1991) and 190700 (vertical shaft) (1969–1997)
• Series 90000
• Europa OHV model 97000 (vertical shaft)
• Horizontal shaft models from series 100000 to 140000 (1958–1966)
• Series 170000
• Series 252410 and 252700 featuring horizontal and vertical shafts (1977–1991)
• Twin Cylinder engines: series 280000, OHV series 310000, along with series 400000, 420000, and 460000

Industrial and Commercial Engine Variants

• Models 81300 and 81400 featuring horizontal shafts (produced 1979–1985)
• Quiet Power lineup including models 82200, 82300, 82400, 114900, 132200, and 132900 (manufactured between 1982 and 1995)
• Additional engine types: 131200, 131900, 192700, 193700, 195400, 221400, 255400, and 281000
• Briggs & Stratton/I/C model 283H07-0399-E1 with a vertical shaft delivering 16 horsepower

Outboard Motor Engines

Briggs & Stratton/I/tC model 130g32-0059-h1

Kart Racing Engines

• World Formula engine with 16 HP OHV configuration
• Animal engine rated at 6.5 HP OHV
• Raptor model featuring a 5 HP flathead design

Two-Stroke Engine Models

• Model 084300 (horizontal shaft), produced from 1999 to 2011; licensed to Toro as the R*TEK snow blower engine
• Model 062030 with horizontal shaft design (1980–1993)
• Vertical shaft engines 095700 and 096700 manufactured under contract for Komatsu Zenoah

Corporate Headquarters, Manufacturing Sites, and Testing Locations

Briggs & Stratton manufactures in excess of nine million engines annually within the United States, employing a workforce exceeding three thousand across six states. The company’s main office and research and development center are situated in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Production plants are located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Auburn, Alabama; Statesboro, Georgia; and Sherrill, New York. Additionally, a dedicated proving ground and testing facility operates in Fort Pierce, Florida.

External links

• Briggs & Stratton SEC Filings
• Article on Small SI Engines
• Briggs & Stratton Products