Generac Power Systems
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Based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Generac Power Systems, Inc. designs and manufactures power generation equipment.
[edit] History
Founded in 1959 by Robert Kern, Generac applied new silicon diode technology to generators. By the next year, the company had developed their first revolving field alternator. Soon after, Generac began producing portable generators for Sears, Roebuck and Co. under the Craftsman brand. During the 1970s Generac expanded its offerings in the portable and recreational vehicle markets, but the company shifted its focus to the commercial and industrial markets in the 1980s. During that time Generac was also developing automatic transfer 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 for Caterpillar, 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 to Briggs & Stratton [1]. 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 on diesel and natural gas [2]. In late 2006 Kern sold Generac to CCMP Capital [3]. The company currently has four facilities in two states with over 1,000,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
[edit] Products
Generac manufactures residential, commercial and industrial generators as well as small engines. Residential products include portable and home standby generators. 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.
