The Husqvarna Group (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈhʉ̂ːsˌkvɑːɳa ˈɡruːp]) is a Swedish manufacturer of outdoor power products including robotic lawn mowers, chainsaws, trimmers, brushcutters, cultivators, and garden tractors.
Husqvarna was founded near the town of Huskvarna in Sweden in 1689. The company started out as a maker of muskets, and the Husqvarna logo still depicts a gun sight viewed from the end of the barrel.
As with many motorcycle manufacturers, Husqvarna first began producing bicycles in the late 19th century. In 1903, they made the jump to motorcycle manufacturing. The first "Husky" motorcycles used imported engines, and it was not until 1918 that Husqvarna began producing machines built entirely in-house. Around that time they secured a contract with the Swedish Army, and also began entering cross-country and long-distance motorcycle races. In 1920, Husqvarna established its own engine factory and the first engine to be designed was a 550 cc four-stroke 50-degree side-valve V-twin engine, similar to those made by companies like Harley-Davidson and Indian.
Husqvarna competed in Grand Prix road racing in the 350cc and 500cc classes during the 1930s and was Sweden's largest motorcycle manufacturer by 1939. All of the racing bikes were based on a 50-degree V-twin prototype built by Folke Mannerstedt in 1931. The company team beat the Norton works team at the Swedish GP in 1931 with a 1–2 finish by Ragnar Sundqvist and Gunnar Kalén. This and the next year's success led to a full commitment to the GP tracks with Stanley Woods and Ernie Nott joining the Husqvarna riding team. That year, Nott finished third in the 350cc Junior TT and Woods ran out of gas eight miles before the finish of the Senior TT. In 1935, the company withdrew racing support, but new bikes were still produced and raced privately, while the company focused on producing a new two-stroke, two-speed commuter bike. That year, Woods won the Swedish GP (marking the fourth year in a row that a "Husky" had won) on a 500cc Husqvarna motorcycle that weighted 279 pounds (127 kilograms).
With the rise of motocross as a sport Husqvarna focused on producing light weight racing bikes. They adapted their lightweight single cylinder bike to racing and delivered the Silverpilen, meaning 'silver arrow' in Swedish. At 75 kg and designed for racing it gained widespread popularity. Sporting many innovations like telescoping front forks and hydraulic damped suspension it became an international success. The 1959 motocross championship went to Rolf Tibblin and his 250 cc Husqvarna. The 1960 world 500 cc motocross championship was won by Bill Nilsson on a four-stroke Husqvarna. In the 1960s, their lightweight, two-stroke-engined off-road bikes helped make the once-dominant British four-stroke motorcycles obsolete. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Husqvarna was a dominant force in the motocross world, winning 14 motocross world championships in the 125 cc, 250 cc and 500 cc divisions, 24 enduro world championships and 11 Baja 1000 victories.
1983 saw Husqvarna innovate again with the introduction of a 500 cc bike that set new standards for competition four-strokes. It was lightweight, air-cooled, easy-handling and changed the future of off-road racing motorcycles. It was the predecessor of the Husaberg brand.
HISTORY
1689 – Firearms The drilling work at the waterfalls in Husqvarna, southern Sweden, was the first large plant. The state-owned rifle factory had some 1,000 employees at the beginning of the 18th century. The company was spun off from Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag in 1959. Shotguns were produced for 300 years, the last in 1989.
1872 – Sewing machines When demand declined, it turned out that the machinery for production of rifles was well-suited for producing sewing machines.
1874 – Kitchen equipment in cast iron Husqvarna started a foundry to produce details for sewing machines, a large part being the base frames. Soon the assortment was broadened to include such products as kitchen equipment in cast iron and later on stoves and ovens.
1896 – Bicycles Bicycle production began in the Huskvarna factory. Several patents were registered. The last bicycle was produced in 1962.
1903 – Motorcycles The first motorcycle, which could reach the impressive speed of 4–5 km/hour, was produced in 1903. Starting in the 1930s, Husqvarna's lightweight engines helped make some successful track racing and motocross bikes. Husqvarna's first titles in Motocross World Championship came in 1959 and 1960. The operation was divested in 1987 and since 2013 is part of the KTM family.
1919 – Lawn mowers When Husqvarna acquired Norrahammars Bruk in 1918, the product range expanded to heating boilers and lawn mowers. The first test with a lawn mower powered by an engine was done in 1947.
1959 – Chainsaws As demand for bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles declined, forestry became increasingly important. The expertise in engines was utilized in new areas and the first chainsaw was produced in 1959.
1968 – Power cutters A saw rebuilt to a power cutter in 1968 was the starting point of what today is the business area Husqvarna Construction.
1978 – Electrolux acquired Husqvarna.
1986 – The motorcycle division was sold to Cagiva.
1995 – Robotic lawn mowers The world's first solar powered robotic lawn mower was launched. Sales of robotic mowers did not flourish until 15 years later.
1997 - divestment of sewing machines The Husqvarna-branded sewing machines were sold to the VSM Group and later became part of SVP Worldwide.
1999 – Husqvarna acquired Yazoo/Kees Husqvarna acquired Nebraska-based lawn mower manufacturer Yazoo/Kees.
2006 – On its own feet The company was spun off by Electrolux.
2007 – Acquisitions of strong brands The acquisition of Gardena in 2007 made the Husqvarna Group the European leader in consumer watering products. Acquiring Zenoah brought a strong brand and geographical expansion in Japan.
2008 – Expanded presence in China The acquisition of Jenn Feng and the construction of a new plant for chainsaws and other handheld products gave expanded presence in Asia.
2009 – Demolition robot Husqvarna launched its first remote-controlled demolition robot.
2013 – Chainsaw chains The decision was made to invest in a new production facility for chainsaw chains in Huskvarna.
Ongoing – Husqvarna developed and sold snowblowers, which were unable to reach "automated robot" status in comparison to the robotic lawnmower line.
2017 – Floor grinding and polishing Acquired HTC Sweden AB, the leading manufacturer of floor grinding machines and related diamond tooling, along with its France, Germany, UK and USA subsidiaries.
2018 – E-Bikes (Licensing) Electro-Bicycles offered by Pexco GmbH, Schweinfurt, Germany, founded by the Puello family (former executive of Haibike) and Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM Industries AG (KTM motorcycles). Include motors by Shimano.
2019 – Celebrations Husqvarna group are celebrating 330 years of innovation, as well as 60 years as a chainsaw manufacturer.
2020 – Floor grinding and polishing Acquired Blastrac, manufacturer of floor grinding machines and related diamond tooling, along with its European subsidiaries.
Motorcycles
| Husqvarna | ||
|---|---|---|
| 200-250 см³ | TE 250 · FE 250 | |
| 300-350 см³ | TE 300 · TX 300 · FE 350 | |
| 400-500 см³ | FE 450 · FX 450 · FE 501 | |