- Generac Power Systems
Based in
Waukesha, Wisconsin , Generac Power Systems, Inc. designs and manufactures power generation equipment.History
Founded in 1959 by
Robert Kern , Generac applied newsilicon diode technology to generators. By the next year, the company had developed their first revolving fieldalternator . Soon after, Generac began producing portable generators forSears, Roebuck and Co. under the Craftsman brand. During the 1970s Generac expanded its offerings in the portable andrecreational vehicle markets, but the company shifted its focus to the commercial and industrial markets in the 1980s. During that time Generac was also developing automatictransfer switch technology. By the end of that decade the company was manufacturing residential, commercial, and industrial generators. In the beginning of the 1990s the company created an air-cooled OHVI (overhead valve industrial)engine that was followed by larger and more advanced models. At that same time, Generac began private labeling generator sets forCaterpillar, Inc. . This relationship continued until 1998. That same year Generac sold its portable products division to a private equity group, who several years later sold it toBriggs & Stratton [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20010302/ai_n10684372] . Recent technological advances include the creation of a modular power system that allows digital control for paralleling and load sharing, and a bi-fuel generator that runs ondiesel andnatural gas [ [http://www.themanufacturer.com/us/profile/497/Generac_Power_Systems Generac Power Systems - The Manufacturer.com - Promoting best practice in Manufacturing ] ] . In late 2006 Kern sold Generac to CCMP Capital [ [http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=497883 JS Online: N.Y. company to buy Generac Power Systems ] ] . The company currently has four facilities in two states with over 1,000,000 square feet of manufacturing space.Products
Generac manufactures residential, commercial and industrial generators as well as small engines. Residential products include portable and home
standby generator s. Home standbys are built with either air-cooled or liquid-cooled engines. Portables and liquid-cooled generators are also made for commercial applications. Single units, modular power systems, Bi-fuel and Gemini models comprise Generac's industrial generators. Generac products are found at home improvement stores, generator dealers, recreational vehicle dealers, and in catalogs.References
External links
* [http://www.generac.com Generac website]
* [http://www.guardiangenerators.com Generac consumer website]
* [http://www.ccmpcapital.com CCMP Capital website]
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