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| Generac Power Systems | |
|---|---|
| Name | Generac Power Systems |
| Type | Public |
| Industry | Power generation equipment |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Robert Kern |
| Headquarters | Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States |
| Key people | Aaron Jagdfeld (CEO) |
| Products | Backup generators, portable generators, engines, transfer switches, power systems |
| Revenue | (see Financial Performance and Corporate Structure) |
| Employees | (see Manufacturing and Operations) |
Generac Power Systems Generac Power Systems is an American manufacturer of backup and distributed power generation equipment for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1959 and has grown into a multinational enterprise supplying standby generators, portable generators, engines, and integrated power systems used across energy, construction, telecommunications, and public safety sectors. Generac's operations intersect with municipal utilities, insurance firms, real estate developers, and energy service providers.
Generac was founded in 1959 by Robert Kern in Waukesha, Wisconsin, originally producing a lightweight portable generator used by contractors and homeowners, expanding through the 1960s and 1970s alongside growth in Suburbanization in the United States, Interstate Highway System, and postwar construction markets. In the 1980s and 1990s the company diversified product lines and supply relationships with firms such as Caterpillar Inc., Cummins, and component suppliers in the Midwest. During the 2000s and 2010s Generac pursued growth via acquisitions and expansion into standby power, interacting with investors and institutions including Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, and public markets, culminating in a notable initial public offering and later capital markets activity. Following major weather events like Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Irma, and Derecho storms, Generac expanded operations, aligning with utilities such as Duke Energy, Southern Company, and municipal providers, and engaged with federal programs under agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and energy policy discussions involving the U.S. Department of Energy.
Generac's portfolio includes residential standby generators, portable generators, industrial prime movers, transfer switches, and power electronics, developed alongside engine partners such as Briggs & Stratton, Honda, and Kubota. The company has invested in research and development addressing grid resilience, microgrids, and combined heat and power, interacting with standards organizations like Underwriters Laboratories, National Fire Protection Association, and regulatory frameworks influenced by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission policies. Product technologies span internal combustion engines, alternators, digital controls, and remote monitoring platforms interoperable with systems from Siemens, Schneider Electric, and ABB. Generac has also explored battery-based energy storage, inverter technologies, and integration with renewable sources including solar power providers and developers associated with NextEra Energy and community energy projects.
Generac serves residential, commercial, industrial, and utility markets; key application areas include emergency backup for Hospitals in the United States, data centers such as those used by Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, telecommunications towers operated by firms like AT&T and Verizon Communications, construction sites managed by contractors allied with Bechtel and Fluor Corporation, and critical infrastructure overseen by agencies including Department of Homeland Security and city governments like New York City. The company also targets rural electrification projects and disaster recovery programs coordinated with organizations such as American Red Cross and international development agencies similar to USAID. Generac's sales channels include independent dealers, big-box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's, and direct business-to-business contracts with multinational corporations.
Generac operates manufacturing facilities in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and other U.S. locations, sourcing components domestically and internationally from suppliers in China, Mexico, and the European Union. Its operations involve supply chain management, procurement, and logistics, engaging with carriers like FedEx and United Parcel Service and port authorities such as the Port of Los Angeles. Workforce and labor relations have intersected with unions and labor organizations including the United Auto Workers in broader manufacturing contexts. Quality assurance and production processes reference methodologies used by manufacturers such as Toyota and General Electric for lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and inventory management.
Generac is publicly traded and reports revenues, margins, and capital expenditures to shareholders, with institutional investors like Vanguard Group and BlackRock often holding positions. The company's financial performance is influenced by macroeconomic factors tracked by Federal Reserve System policy, commodity prices for steel and copper, and demand cycles tied to climate events and construction activity. Corporate governance involves a board of directors and executive leadership accountable under securities regulation administered by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and subject to listing standards of exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange. Generac's capital allocation has included dividends, share repurchases, and acquisition expenditures in line with strategies seen in industrial peers like Emerson Electric and Caterpillar Inc..
Generac products must comply with safety and emissions regulations from agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, and certification bodies like Underwriters Laboratories. Environmental scrutiny covers engine emissions, air quality impacts regulated under the Clean Air Act, and product lifecycle issues addressed in standards promulgated by organizations like International Electrotechnical Commission and ISO. The company has faced pressure from environmental groups and policy advocates focused on decarbonization, grid modernization, and electrification supported by institutions such as International Energy Agency and World Resources Institute.
Generac has been involved in litigation and regulatory scrutiny related to product safety, warranty claims, and warranty litigation with consumers, dealers, and commercial customers, engaging legal counsel from major firms and litigation in state and federal courts including venues in Wisconsin and federal districts. Controversies have arisen in contexts of emergency readiness following storms like Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma over supply constraints, pricing, and service response times, prompting investigations and consumer complaints lodged with state attorney general offices and agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission. The company has navigated recalls, compliance actions, and class action complaints similar to matters faced by industrial manufacturers including Johnson Controls and Honeywell International.
Category:Companies based in Wisconsin Category:Power generation equipment manufacturers