Briggs & Stratton Corporation announced on Wednesday last week (May 20th) that it has acquired U.S. based Billy Goat Industries, Inc.

Incorporated in 1969 and based in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Billy Goat is a leading manufacturer of speciality turf equipment, which includes: aerators, sod cutters, overseeders, power rakes, brush cutters, walk behind blowers, lawn vacuums, and debris loaders.

Billy Goat has annual net sales of approximately $30 million. Briggs & Stratton has acquired all of the outstanding shares of Billy Goat for approximately $26 million in cash, subject to customary post-closing working capital adjustments. The transaction was effective May 20th.

“Billy Goat’s products complement Briggs & Stratton’s already strong commercial turf brands, add specialty lines with market leading innovation, and further increase Briggs’ market access to the rental channel,” stated Harold L. Redman, Sr. Vice-President and President, Turf and Consumer Products.

“Billy Goat Industries, Inc. helps us to further our strategic initiative of focusing on higher margin commercial products,” commented Todd J. Teske, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Briggs & Stratton Corporation. “We welcome the management team and the employees of Billy Goat to our team, and look forward to building upon the strong foundation that has made them a strong and successful company,” continued Teske.

Billy Goat , which employs around 100 people, will continue to be run by its former owners, Will and Drew Coates. The company had been planning to build a new manufacturing facility but those plans have now been put on hold according to Will Coates. Briggs & Stratton have also confirmed that it will retain all Billy Goat's employees.

Will Coates (pictured) says “It was clear to my brother, Drew and myself, that partnering with Briggs & Stratton gives us the best opportunity to continue with the Billy Goat brand that we care for so deeply and to focus on what this company does well"

The Billy Goat product line is distributed in the UK by Henton & Chattell.