Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
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H usqvarna shares its birth year with…Johann Sebastian Bach. One of the world's greatest composers remains a powerful force in classical music because of the quality of his work — which consists of more than 1,000 elegant pieces of music — from concertos and cantatas to sonatas and orchestral suites. Like the Baroque works of the adored German musician, appreciated as much for his technical command as his art- istry, Husqvarna too has endured for 325 years. But while Bach's compositions — of course — have not changed in that time, Husqvarna's output has evolved dramatically over 3-1/4 centuries. Today, Husqvarna is the world's largest producer of outdoor power equipment. When our company started, on the banks of the Swedish river that gave us our name, "power equipment" did not exist. The company was founded to manufacture much- needed musket barrels for the army of King Charles XI as it prepared to ward off a threat from Denmark. In the years and decades and centuries that followed, Husqvarna has evolved both subtly and dramatically, keenly in tune with con- sumer demands, competitive opportunities and economic realities. Reading the list of products that the company has manufactured and marketed could take nearly as long as Bach's Mass in B minor. Swords. Sewing machines. Wood-burning stoves. Motorcycles. Household products — from spittoons to cherry stone removers and herring fryers. At one time, the company had such a strong pres- ence within the household that famed artist Ewert Karlsson said that "Husqvarna" was the first word he learned — since it was stamped onto the iron stove in his mother's kitchen, on the frame of his first bicycle, and on the housing of the family sewing machine. A history of Husqvarna mirrors the history of Europe and, ulti- mately, the world. As technology has evolved, Husqvarna has been there, priding ourselves in our inventiveness, innovative capacity and technical proficiency. Glancing through a book about Husqvarna produced in 1989 to commemorate our 300th anniversary yields fascinating facts and photos, like those of Husqvarna motorcycles shown racing to victory on the world's fastest courses. 325 Years Later, Husqvarna in tune with the marketplace 1689: Rifle factory When Swedish weapons production took off in the late 17th century, hydropower was needed to handle certain mechanical operations. The drillingwork at the water- falls in Huskvarna, southern Sweden, was our first plant. 1872: Breaking new ground A very innovative and ambitious period, resulting in a broad array of new products: sewing machines (1872), hunting weap- ons (1877), wood stoves (1884), mincing machines (1890), and the first Swedish typewriter (1895). 1896: Bicycles The era of bicycles begins — and lasts through 1962. 1903: The motorcycle era begins Husqvarna earns a worldwide reputation, as its lightweight-yet-powerful engines helped make some of the most success- ful track racing and motocross bikes in history. 1919: The first lawn mower Husqvarna acquires Norrahammars Bruk, the first step in the Group's current focus on outdoor power products. The first motorized Husqvarna lawn mower for commercial use is launched in 1947, and in 1959 the first homeowner model reaches the market. 1959: The first chain saw Expertise in engines from the produc- tion of motorcycles is now utilized in new product areas, as Husqvarna introduces its first chain saw — which used motorcycle muffler technology to achieve lower noise levels than its competitors. 1969: Setting new standards for ergonomics When the Husqvarna 180 chain saw is released, it features a groundbreaking anti- vibration function that prevents "white fingers disease," a common problem for forestry workers around the world. In 1973, Husqvarna introduces the world's first chain saw with an automatic chain brake. In 1999, the feature TrioBrake is introduced, enabling users to activate the chain break with the right hand — fur- ther reducing the risk of injury for forestry workers. Timeline 30 O U T D O O R P O W E R E Q U I P M E N T www.outdoorpower equipment.com ANNIVERSARY SERIES SPECIAL By Alan Shaw