Simplicity Outdoor
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Simplicity Manufacturing Company, based in Port Washington, WI, 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 halts production of lawn and garden products and manufactures electric fence controllers and external surface grinders to satisfy the War Production Board. 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.
Over the years, Simplicity has also built lawn & garden tractors for JCPenney, Montgomery Wards, Viking, Homelite and Rapid. Hinomoto has built some of the larger compact tractors sold by Simplicity.
- 1989, purchased the Middlesworth company of Greentown, IN, a manufacturer of zero-turn mowers
- 2002, purchased the Snapper company
- 2004, was purchased by Briggs & Stratton
Related Manufacturing Companies
AGCO Lawn
Massey Lawn
Simplicity
Snapper
Supporting Clubs and Forums
Michael's Tractors - specializing in Original Restoration information
