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| Poulan | |
|---|---|
| Name | Poulan |
| Type | Subsidiary |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | Emil "Ike" Eigel |
| Fate | Acquired by Electrolux |
| Headquarters | Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Industry | Power tool |
| Products | Chainsaw, Lawn mower, Trimmer |
| Parent | Poulan Pro / Electrolux / Blount International |
Poulan is an American brand historically associated with outdoor power equipment, notably chainsaws, lawn mowers, and trimmers. Originating in the mid-20th century, the brand became known for consumer-grade and prosumer tools competing with companies like Husqvarna, Stihl, and John Deere. Over decades Poulan changed ownership among industrial and consumer goods companies, integrating technologies from manufacturers such as Briggs & Stratton, Kohler Co., and Tecumseh Products Company.
Poulan began in 1946 when Emil "Ike" Eigel founded the company in Shreveport, Louisiana, initially producing chainsaws influenced by post-war demand and innovations from Poulan Manufacturing Company contemporaries like McCulloch Corporation and Homelite. During the 1950s and 1960s Poulan expanded into lawn and garden equipment amid broader growth in suburban markets alongside Simpson Cleaning and Toro Company. The 1970s and 1980s saw consolidation in the power equipment industry; Poulan interacted commercially with Briggs & Stratton, Kohler Co., and OEM suppliers such as Walbro and Zama Corporation while competing with Black & Decker and Craftsman. In the 1990s Poulan became part of corporate realignments involving Electrolux and later Blount International, paralleling mergers like Husqvarna AB acquisitions and global shifts led by Stanley Black & Decker. Recent decades include brand repositioning, licensing, and retail partnerships with chains such as Sears, Home Depot, and Lowe's.
Poulan's product range historically included gasoline-powered chainsaw models, rotary lawn mower units, string trimmers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, and snow throwers. The brand offered both walk-behind and riding mowers similar to lines from John Deere and Cub Cadet, and handheld power tools comparable to offerings by Stihl and Husqvarna. Engines used across Poulan machines have included models from Briggs & Stratton, Kohler Co., and the defunct Tecumseh Products Company, while carburetion components sometimes sourced from Walbro and Zama Corporation. Accessories and replacement parts were distributed through retail networks including Sears, Tractor Supply Company, and independent dealers allied with Echo Inc. and Makita distributors.
Poulan incorporated two-stroke and four-stroke internal combustion engines similar to those in McCulloch and Homelite equipment, and later integrated electronic ignition systems influenced by developments at Bosch and NGK Spark Plugs. Carburetor designs paralleled those from Walbro and Zama Corporation; fuel management and emissions controls were adapted to satisfy regulations shaped by agencies linked to Environmental Protection Agency standards. Anti-vibration mounts, centrifugal clutch designs, and automatic choke systems reflected engineering practices also used by Stihl, Husqvarna, and Echo Inc.. Ergonomic developments and safety interlocks were influenced by industry guidelines from groups such as ANSI and standards bodies including UL (company).
Facilities producing Poulan equipment have included plants in the southern United States and contracted factories in North America and abroad, reflecting manufacturing trends seen with Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh Products Company. Ownership and brand stewardship passed through corporate entities including Electrolux and later Blount International, aligning Poulan with other marques like Poulan Pro and corporate portfolios similar to Husqvarna AB acquisitions. Supply chains involved components from Briggs & Stratton, Kohler Co., Walbro, and overseas manufacturers comparable to Makita and Hitachi (power tools). Retail distribution was managed through partnerships with Sears, Home Depot, Lowe's, and specialist dealers resembling networks used by Cub Cadet and Snapper.
Poulan targeted consumer and light prosumer segments competing with Husqvarna, Stihl, John Deere, Toro Company, and Craftsman. Sales channels included big-box retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe's, and department stores like Sears, as well as independent dealers and rental services similar to United Rentals and Sunbelt Rentals. Geographic markets covered the United States, Canada, and export regions where brands like Makita and Echo Inc. also operated. Marketing strategies mirrored industry practices used by Husqvarna AB and Stihl Holding involving dealer networks, seasonal promotions, and OEM parts support through distributors like Tractor Supply Company.
Recommended safety practices for Poulan equipment followed standards and guidelines established by ANSI, UL (company), and best practices propagated in literature by Occupational Safety and Health Administration-recommended resources. Maintenance tasks commonly included spark plug replacement with NGK Spark Plugs units, carburetor cleaning akin to Walbro service, air filter replacement, and fuel system care consistent with advisories from Briggs & Stratton and Kohler Co.. Personal protective equipment recommendations referenced manufacturers of 3M respirators, Husqvarna protective chaps, and Pioneer-style safety gear; routine inspections paralleled service protocols used by dealers of Echo Inc. and Stihl.
Notable Poulan chainsaw and mower models often paralleled market segments occupied by models from Husqvarna, Stihl, McCulloch Corporation, Homelite, and Echo Inc.. Consumer chainsaws competed with Stihl MS 170 equivalents and prosumer mowers mirrored offerings from John Deere and Cub Cadet. Special editions and pro-series variants were marketed under the Poulan Pro sub-brand, similar in concept to professional lines from Husqvarna AB and Echo Inc.. Replacement parts and aftermarket upgrades were available from suppliers like Walbro, Zama Corporation, Briggs & Stratton, and independent parts houses comparable to Anderson Group.
Category:Power tool manufacturers