Where are Husqvarna Chainsaws made? In this article we go on a long tour, extracting anything noteworthy to satisfy your curious mind. Welcome to everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Husqvarna Brand, and probably a few things you didn’t even consider.
Today, Husqvarna is one of the oldest companies in the world, with a proud Swedish history, the question “where are Husqvarna chainsaws made?” may seem irrelevant. But is it really? We live in a globalized society, making it almost impossible know, with any certainty, where our products are made. Even if the label says ‘made in Sweden’, or ‘made in the USA’ for that matter, it’s more than likely that some (or most) of the components are manufactured in other countries.
For the topic of this article, I took on the challenge of answering this question. You’ll be surprised how many people ask Google where Husqvarna chainsaws are made. I suppose, it is logical that people want to know this. Husqvarna is one of the premier power equipment brands and is renowned for producing some of the world’s top chainsaws. This is also one of the more expensive chainsaw brands, with a huge selection of machines. Some are top-rated chainsaws, aimed at forestry professionals. Others are more reasonably priced and not as heavy duty, providing a quality product for the home user.
Probably the most popular Husqvarna chainsaw range has to be the Rancher, the Husqvarna Rancher 455 must appear in more chainsaw reviews than any other chainsaw model. When addressing the key question here, it seems most people want to know where the Husqvarna 455 Rancher is made. This is bringing us closer to the point, as my research has unveiled some interesting facts. Husqvarna chainsaws (and other products) are made in several countries. It seems like Husqvarna chainsaws have a hierarchy, with the more prestigious Husqvarna chainsaws being manufactured in Sweden.
Apart from discussing where Husqvarna chainsaws are made, I’ll also be looking into the history of the Brand, it’s a long and fascinating story. Along the way, Husqvarna has acquired many well-known brands and expanded their product lines. Expanding into different sectors seems to be a hallmark of the Husqvarna brand since its inception, more than three centuries ago.
Where Are Husqvarna Chainsaws Made?
Like most multinational companies, Husqvarna isn’t exactly forthcoming as to where their products are manufactured. It took some searching, but I’ve managed to uncover some interesting facts. Although the Company documentation that I managed to find is quite old (dating back to 2010), it does reveal a lot about how the company is structured and where their core manufacturing takes place.
Most of the Husqvarna manufacturing facilities are concentrated in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. They also have subsidiaries in France and Germany. Next in line are the USA and China, each with 6 production plants. Brazil has one Husqvarna manufacturing plant. It’s most likely that your Husqvarna chainsaw is made up of components sourced from more than one of these countries. For example, the wildly popular Husqvarna 455 Rancher is made mostly in Sweden. The power head is manufactured in Sweden and then shipped to the US where a locally manufactured Oregon bar is fitted. Even then, no one can be sure whether some of the components are manufactured in China, possibly even Brazil, and then sent to the European or US plants for assembly.
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At best, one can only form a basic overview of how the company operates from the data provided. I suppose it’s not too surprising that the greatest production value is in the US, this remains the largest consumer market in the world. Though the numbers are quite revealing, more than half of Husqvarna’s global production value is centered in the US (54%). Though Sales for the Husqvarna Group in the USA for the same period accounted for 40% of global sales. This means that Husqvarna products made in the US are not only sold in this country. The rest of North and South America might account for some of this. But US made Husqvarna products and components are probably shipped globally.
The company ownership stats also reveal some interesting facts. Since the Husqvarna operations in other countries (USA, China, Brazil, and several European subsidiaries) are companies registered in those countries, ownership of these companies within the Husqvarna group will have a large local content. Husqvarna USA will have a large amount of US shareholders. If we look at the Husqvarna Group ownership stats, the USA comes in as the second biggest. Sweden has the lion’s ownership share (80%), flowed by USA (6%), then Norway (3%), other countries (8%).
So, yes, the clues as to where any individual Husqvarna chainsaw is made remains quite cryptic. What I can deduce from the information at my disposal is that the high-end (most expensive) Husqvarna chainsaws are made in Sweden or USA, or a combination of the two. The cheaper products are mostly made in China.
I’m not too sure how Brazil features in this equation, but it appears that this seems to be an overflow production facility for North America. Brazil sort of fills in for the US production facilities where they are not able to keep up with demand. Though I can’t say for sure how this works. No matter what it says on the packaging, a Husqvarna chainsaw that states “Made in Sweden” will have some components that are produced elsewhere.
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Quick History Overview : Husqvarna
- 1689 — Husqvarna is founded as a weapons foundry for the Swedish armed forces.
- 1872 — Husqvarna starts production of sewing machines and kitchen equipment in cast-iron.
- 1896 — Production of bicycles starts, continues until 1962.
- 1903 — Product range is extended to include motor bikes, which were manufactured until 1987.
- 1959 — Husqvarna starts production of chainsaws and engine-driven lawn mowers.
- 1978 — Electrolux acquires Husqvarna, start of the expansion within outdoor products.
- 1986 — Production starts for the first riding mower developed in-house.
- 1995 — Launch of Automower the world’s first solar powered robotic lawnmower.
- 2006 — Husqvarna once again becomes an independent stock listed company.
- 2007 — Through the acquisition of Gardena, the product range was extended to include equipment and garden tools.
✓ Learn more by visiting the Husqvarna History section on their site.
More About Husqvarna…
The Husqvarna Company started out as a state-owned weapons manufacturer in 1689. The town of Huskvarna, in southern Sweden, was chosen as the location for their manufacturing facility due to a nearby waterfall. At the time, hydropower was used to supply the mechanical energy needed for manufacturing machinery. Today, milling machines, used to precision cut metals, are powered by an electric motor. Back then, a water wheel was used. It’s quite remarkable to think that 3-centuries ago, similar methods were used for manufacturing as today. It’s mostly the power source that has changed; moving from hydro to steam, and finally, electric power.
Husqvarna continued to manufacture weapons until 1989, when the last rifle left the Husqvarna factory. Over the years, much has changed, and the company has diversified into many different fields of production. Though one thing has remained the same, a proud and long-standing tradition based in Sweden. In 2015, a modern chainsaw production facility was opened in the very town where it all began, Huskvarna Sweden.
Husqvarna has always been one of Sweden’s largest manufacturing companies. By the early 1700’s, the company employed more than 1,000 people and is today a global giant, with sales and distribution centers in every contentment, and manufacturing facilities in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia.
For almost 200-years, the Husqvarna company remained virtually unchanged, producing only weapons. In 1872, Husqvarna made the first move toward diversifying their product line. Upon discovering that the machines used to manufacture weapons were equally suited to making sewing machines, they began manufacturing these, and continued to do so until 1997.
Two years later, in 1874, Husqvarna built an iron foundry and started manufacturing kitchen equipment. Now, along with weapons and sewing machines, the company also made cast iron kitchen equipment, like meat grinders, stoves, and ovens. Husqvarna meat grinders proved to be a huge success, with over 12 million units exported globally.
By the end of the 19th century global industry was expanding at a rapid pace, and Husqvarna was not going to be left behind. In 1896, they started making bicycles, production of Husqvarna bicycles continued until 1962. By 1903, motorcycles were added to their product lineup. From their inception, until divesting their motorcycle division in 1987, Husqvarna motorcycles were legendary. The Lightweight, powerful Husqvarna engines produced trail bike and track champions throughout their reign as word leaders in this field.
In 1918, the company took the first step toward establishing themselves as an outdoor and garden equipment brand, following the acquisition of Norrahammars Ironworks. This saw the first Husqvarna lawnmower. In 1947, Husqvarna built their first gas-powered lawnmower and have, to this day, been one of the top lawnmower manufacturers in the world.
With forestry being one of Sweden’s largest industries, it seemed only logical that Husqvarna start making chainsaws. With the huge success of their lightweight, reliable motorcycle engines, Husqvarna was in a perfect position to enter this market. In 1959 production of Husqvarna chainsaws commenced. Husqvarna soon became one of the most respected chainsaw manufacturers in the world, with innovative design concepts. In 1969, Husqvarna was the first chainsaw manufacturer to introduce vibration dampers to improve chainsaw ergonomics. They have remained a world leader in this field.
Until the 1980’s, Husqvarna chainsaws were made exclusively in Sweden. Then Husqvarna started to expand their US presence with the acquisition Poulan (including the Weed Eater brand) and the Roper Corporation. Following their success in making chainsaws, Husqvarna started manufacturing power cutters in 1968.
VIDEO | Husqvarna History
In 1978, another Swedish manufacturing giant, Electrolux, acquires Husqvarna. Through the course of 1978 and 1979, the Husqvarna brand started seeing electric outdoor tools being added to their products. This would be a logical move, since Electrolux is a leader in the electric appliance market. This led to the acquisition of more well-known brands, like AB Partners and Jonsereds AB. Ground-breaking electric development saw Husqvarna manufacturing the world’s first solar-powered robotic lawnmower in 1995. In 2006, Husqvarna returns to be being an independent company.
Another milestone in the Growth of the Husqvarna group came in 2002, with the acquisition of Diamant Boart International. Diamond cutting and an expansion of their construction machinery sector followed. In 2007, even greater expansion into Japan saw more brands added to the Group’s portfolio. These were Gardena, Zenoah, and Klippo. In 2009, Husqvarna introduced the first remote controlled demolition robot. In 2006, Flymo was acquired by the group, followed by McCulloch in 2008.
Husqvarna Remote Controlled Demolition Robots
While we mostly see Husqvarna as a manufacturer of chainsaws and gardening machinery, few realize how extensive the Group’s international footprint really is. Established US brands in the chainsaw, lawnmower and garden machinery market, like Poulan and McCulloch, are now divisions of the Husqvarna group. This is a truly global company with over 10 internationally recognized brands.
VIDEO | Husqvarna Museum in Sweden -- Go Visit
Additional Resources :
- History of Husqvarna : A Timeline
- Husqvarna Museum : Located in Husqvarna, Sweden
- Husqvarna Viking : Sewing Machines
- Husqvarna Chainsaw History