The Husqvarna Group is a Swedish manufacturer of outdoor power products including chainsaws, trimmers, brushcutters, cultivators, garden tractors, mowers, and sewing machines. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, the group also produces consumer watering products, cutting equipment and diamond tools for the construction and stone industries. Their motorcycle division was spun off in 1987, and is now owned by KTM. Husqvarna Group sponsors the Swedish ice hockey club HV71 and several local community engagement projects around the world.
History
1689 – Firearms The drillingwork at the waterfalls in Husqvarna, southern Sweden, was the first large plant. The state-owned rifle factory had some 1,000 employees at the beginning of the 18th century. The company was spun off from Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag in 1959. Shotguns were produced for 300 years, the last in 1989. 1872 – Sewing machines When demand declined, it turned out that the machinery for production of rifles was well-suited for producing sewing machines. The operation was divested in 1997 and Husqvarna-branded sewing machines are now produced by the VSM Group. 1874 – Kitchen equipment in cast iron Husqvarna started a foundry to produce details for sewing machines, a large part being the base frames. Soon the assortment was broadened to include such products as kitchen equipment in cast iron and later on stoves and ovens. 1896 – Bicycles Bicycle production began in the Huskvarna factory. Several patents were registered. The last bicycle was produced in 1962. 1903 – Motorcycles The first motorcycle, which could reach the impressive speed of 4–5 km/hour, was produced in 1903. Starting in the 1930s, Husqvarna's lightweight engines helped make some successful track racing and motocross bikes. Husqvarna's first titles in Motocross World Championship came in 1959 and 1960. The operation was divested in 1987 and is since 2013 part of the KTM family. 1919 – Lawn mowers When Husqvarna acquired Norrahammars Bruk in 1918, the product range expanded to heating boilers and lawn mowers. The first test with a lawn mower powered by an engine was done in 1947. 1959 – Chainsaws As demand for bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles declined, forestry became increasingly important. The expertise in engines was utilized in new areas and the first chainsaw was produced in 1959. 1968 – Power cutters A saw rebuilt to a power cutter in 1968 was the starting point of what today is the business area Husqvarna Construction. 1978 – Electrolux acquired Husqvarna. 1986 – The motorcycle division was sold to Cagiva. 1995 – Robotic lawn mowers The world's first solar poweredrobotic lawn mower was launched. Sales of robotic mowers did not flourish until 15 years later. 1999 – Husqvarna acquired Yazoo/Kees Husqvarna acquired Nebraska-based lawn mower manufacturer Yazoo/Kees. 2006 – On its own feet The company was spun off by Electrolux. 2007 – Acquisitions of strong brands The acquisition of Gardena in 2007 made the Husqvarna Group the European leader in consumer watering products. Acquiring Zenoah brought a strong brand and geographical expansion in Japan. 2008 – Expanded presence in China The acquisition of Jenn Feng and the construction of a new plant for chainsaws and other handheld products gave expanded presence in Asia. 2009 – Demolition robot Husqvarna launched its first remote-controlled demolition robot. 2013 – Chainsaw chains The decision was made to invest in a new production facility for chainsaw chains in Huskvarna. Ongoing – Husqvarna developed and sold snowblowers, which were unable to reach "automated robot" status in comparison to the robotic lawnmower line. 2017 – Floor grinding and polishing Acquired HTC Sweden AB, the leading manufacturer of floor grinding machines and related diamond tooling, along with its France, Germany, UK and USA subsidiaries. 2018 – E-Bikes Electro-Bicycles offered by Pexco GmbH, Schweinfurt, Germany, founded by the Puello family and Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM Industries AG. Include motors by Shimano. 2019 – Celebrations Husqvarna group are celebrating 330 years of innovation, as well as 60 years as a chainsaw manufacture.
