BILLY GOAT^® CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS

LEE'S SUMMIT, MO (October 16, 2019) – Billy Goat is pleased to celebrate 50 years of craftsmanship. From a small business loan and a single leaf and litter vacuum in 1969, Billy Goat Industries has grown to be a leading global manufacturer of outdoor specialty turf equipment.

By 1974, the company expanded manufacturing and moved to its present location in Lee’s Summit, Missouri where founders Bill Coates and Mort Platt focused on expanding the vacuum line, adding blowers to the portfolio, growing domestic distribution and began exporting globally. The company added the first truck loader in 1986, a truck-mounted vacuum for picking up large amounts of leaves which rounded out a full line of debris solutions for the marketplace.

New markets and seasons were explored in 1992 as Billy Goat entered the paving maintenance industry with the “crack cleaner,” known today as the Grazor™, a machine that cleans vegetation and debris from cracks. In addition, the company became wholly owned by the Coates family in 1993. Continued growth warranted a plant expansion in 1995 with 20,000 feet of production space for welding and fabrication. And later in ’95, the company pursued the specialty mowing segment with the addition of the Outback™ brushcutter to its portfolio.

In 1997, the company entered the lawn renovation segment with the introduction of power rakes, followed by aerators in 2001, overseeders in 2002 and sod cutter in 2004. By 2002, the Company segmented into three distinct product categories, including Lawn Renovation, Specialty Mowing and Debris Management. In 2003, “Billy Goat University” was constructed and dedicated to customer, dealer and distributor education.

By 2009, the Company outgrew its current location and an additional headquarter building with added warehouse space was purchased. The acquisition of PLUGR™ aerators followed in 2014 and complemented the introduction of the company’s 30” hydro reciprocating aerator, creating the premier line-up of commercial reciprocating aerators on the market.

In May of 2015, Billy Goat Industries was acquired by Briggs & Stratton Corporation; and in July of 2018, Briggs & Stratton purchased Hurricane blowers creating the largest, most innovative line of blowers on the market from 6 to 35 gross HP*.

After 50 years, Billy Goat recorded record sales and enjoys No. 1 or 2 market positions in most of its categories and continues its portfolio and market expansions with the introduction of its post-hole auger, the only dedicated self-propelled auger on the market in its class. We are celebrating this milestone anniversary with “Goatoberfest” specials found at Billy Goat dealers throughout the USA this fall.

^{*Power rated by engine manufacturer.
Vanguard: All power levels are stated gross horsepower at 3600 RPM per SAEJ1940 as rated by Briggs & Stratton.}

Media Contact: 

Gail Trudeau
816.251.8128
trudeau.gail@billygoat.com

About Billy Goat Industries:

Billy Goat Industries, Inc. is the premier manufacturer of property cleanup products with a reputation for innovation, productivity and quality. Started in 1967, Billy Goat became independent in 1969 and was acquired by Briggs & Stratton Corporation in May, 2015. Billy Goat Industries features a complete line of seasonal product solutions for residential, commercial and municipal customers serving rental, contractor and retail markets. Visit www.billygoat.com for more information.