Simplicity Outdoor
Encyclopedia
Simplicity Manufacturing Company is a company based in Port Washington, Wisconsin
that builds lawn and garden equipment under various brands. It was founded by William J. Niederkorn in 1922, and started building riding garden tractors in 1939. Between 1941 and 1945, due to World War II Simplicity Manufacturing temporarily halted
. Allis-Chalmers
purchased the company in 1965, and Simplicity's management bought it back in 1983. Simplicity Manufacturing celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1997.
Sometime after AGCO purchased Deutz-Allis
from Deutz-Fahr
and KHD, Simplicity took over building and selling the Deutz-Allis lawn equipment. The name was later changed to Agco-Allis, and then to AGCO to reflect the changes within the AGCO Corporation.
After AGCO purchased Massey Ferguson
, Simplicity began building and selling the Massey Ferguson lawn equipment. Simplicity bought the Snapper company in 2002, though ironically, Snapper, previously built Massey Ferguson lawn tractors many years before.
Over the years, Simplicity has also built lawn & garden tractors for J. C. Penney
, Montgomery Ward
, Viking (part of Stihl
), Homelite and Rapid. Hinomoto/Toyosha built some of the larger compact tractors sold as Simplicity, Deutz-Allis and Allis-Chalmers.
Port Washington, Wisconsin
Port Washington is the county seat of Ozaukee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The city is about 25 miles north of Milwaukee and 110 miles north of Chicago. In the 2000 census Port Washington had a population of 10,467...
that builds lawn and garden equipment under various brands. It was founded by William J. Niederkorn in 1922, and started building riding garden tractors in 1939. Between 1941 and 1945, due to World War II Simplicity Manufacturing temporarily halted
War Production Board
The War Production Board was established as a government agency on January 16, 1942 by executive order of Franklin D. Roosevelt.The purpose of the board was to regulate the production and allocation of materials and fuel during World War II in the United States...
. Allis-Chalmers
Allis-Chalmers
The Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co. of West Allis, Wisconsin, is an American company known for its past as a manufacturer with diverse interests, perhaps most famous for their bright Persian Orange farm tractors...
purchased the company in 1965, and Simplicity's management bought it back in 1983. Simplicity Manufacturing celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1997.
Sometime after AGCO purchased Deutz-Allis
Deutz-Allis
Deutz-Allis was formed when Deutz-Fahr of Germany, part of KHD, purchased the agricultural assets of the Allis-Chalmers corporation in 1985.Deutz-Allis was eventually sold to the Allis-Gleaner Corporation, or AGCO), in 1990...
from Deutz-Fahr
Deutz-Fahr
Deutz-Fahr German tractor now a part of SAME Deutz-Fahr, traces its roots to 1894 when Deutz was founded. Deutz merged with Fahr, founded in 1870 by Johann Georg Fahr, in 1961 to become Deutz-Fahr...
and KHD, Simplicity took over building and selling the Deutz-Allis lawn equipment. The name was later changed to Agco-Allis, and then to AGCO to reflect the changes within the AGCO Corporation.
After AGCO purchased Massey Ferguson
Massey Ferguson
Massey Ferguson Limited was a major agricultural equipment manufacturer which was based in Canada before its purchase by AGCO. The company was formed by a merger between Massey Harris and the Ferguson tractor company in 1953, creating the company Massey Harris Ferguson. However in 1958 the name was...
, Simplicity began building and selling the Massey Ferguson lawn equipment. Simplicity bought the Snapper company in 2002, though ironically, Snapper, previously built Massey Ferguson lawn tractors many years before.
Over the years, Simplicity has also built lawn & garden tractors for J. C. Penney
J. C. Penney
-External links:*...
, Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward is an online retailer that carries the same name as the former American department store chain, founded as the world's #1 mail order business in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward, and which went out of business in 2001...
, Viking (part of Stihl
Stihl
Andreas Stihl AG & Company is a manufacturer of chainsaws and other handheld power equipment including trimmers and blowers. Their headquarters are in Waiblingen, Baden-Württemberg near Stuttgart, in Germany. The company was founded in 1926 by Andreas Stihl, an important innovator in early chain...
), Homelite and Rapid. Hinomoto/Toyosha built some of the larger compact tractors sold as Simplicity, Deutz-Allis and Allis-Chalmers.
- 1989, purchased the Middlesworth company of Greentown, IndianaGreentown, IndianaGreentown is a town in Liberty Township, Howard County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,415 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Greentown is located at ....
, a manufacturer of zero-turn mowerZero-turn mowerA zero-turn riding lawn mower is operationally to a standard riding lawn mower. The term zero-turn refers to the turning radius being essentially zero inches. Different brands and models achieve this in different ways. Most current models have four wheels, two swiveling front tires and two larger...
s - 2002, purchased the SnapperSnapper Inc.Snapper, Inc. is a United States company that makes residential and professional lawn care and snow removal equipment, based in McDonough, Georgia...
company - 2004, was purchased by Briggs & StrattonBriggs & StrattonBriggs & Stratton is the world's largest manufacturer of air-cooled gasoline engines primarily for outdoor power equipment. Current production averages 11 million engines per year.-History:...