I'll try to attach a pdf that Briggs made for 2008 that covers their 100-year history. I'll mention some points from that pdf and some events since then that explains why Briggs is in such a bad position. https://www.eccarburetors.com/assets/images/BriggsStratton_History.pdf
It's worth noting that Briggs doesn't produce a small engine in the 200cc range, nor do many manufacturers; instead, they use Honda clones. "If you can't beat them, join them." The 208cc you see on Briggs equipment in recent years is a clone. Since the LO206 is based on the Intek, they are the sole manufacturer of those parts, and they can't tap into the supply lines of a clone to build engines.
If you are not in the lawnmower industry or have never been to the equip exposition(formerly GIE Expo), the largest expo for that industry, you would not believe how outdated the Briggs engines are compared to Japanese and Chinese manufacturers. Briggs's last line of defense is their big block Vanguard engines, but it won't be long before the competition starts to eat away at that market. Not to mention the push for EVs.
Since Briggs has trouble due to bankruptcy, many suppliers have put them on some form of COD. Whether the LO206 or Briggs racing makes money, the problem is allocating the cash to buy parts. With more significant issues, Briggs isn't going to put the LO206 before their lawnmower business.
Quite honestly, I don't know how Briggs will get through and remain an "American" company.
I'm unsure if there is a viable alternative to the LO206, especially one that would make the transition easy. Anything on the market now is a work in progress, and Briggs is on borrowed time. If Briggs doesn't satisfy their dealers, especially those that sell karts or run tracks, the dealers may very well adopt something else out of spite and make it work.
- In the '80s, Japanese manufacturers challenged Briggs with moderately priced engines in a market demanding engines with better economic value. The Vanguard V-Twin was a joint venture with Mitsubishi and assembled by Daihatsu Motor Company. Recently they moved the assembly to the states. Today the clone poses a bigger threat and greater challenge.
- 2005 Briggs open their manufacturing plant in China. The majority of the Briggs engine parts are produced there.
- In the early 2000s, Briggs bought companies and assets from Murray, Ferris, Simplicity, etc. The problem for Briggs is they started competing against their customers. Their customers began to look at alternative engines.
- The Briggs Animal did not effectively replace the flathead. This topic can be a debate on its own, but WKA backing Briggs and the Animal gave birth to the clone and the different organizations with competing rule sets. The fractioning of 4-cycle karting started with Briggs.
- 2008 Briggs and other manufacturers were in class action lawsuits for overstating and embellishing horsepower figures(why do you think no one has a dyno that reads correctly?)
- Briggs makes a critical error in their spring order in the Winter of 2018 into the Spring of 2019. By not ordering enough of their parts for their distribution. Many may only know this if you are a dealer on the lawn and garden side. We went the major of the year without parts for our racing lawnmower customers. It's not surprising they would close their Murray, Ky plant and lay off over 600 workers. They saw their biggest stock exchange loss since the 70s. We knew that bankruptcy was on the horizon.
- 2019-2020, politics and Covid starting shutdowns internationally.
- 2020 Briggs is bankrupt and bought by an investment group
- 2021 Briggs is sued by Husqvarna for not fulfilling engine orders. Here's a link, but it's worth looking more into it, https://www.farm-equipment.com/arti...t-against-briggs-stratton-over-supply-dispute
- As mentioned by OldsSS1, they continue to downsize and lay off more workers.
It's worth noting that Briggs doesn't produce a small engine in the 200cc range, nor do many manufacturers; instead, they use Honda clones. "If you can't beat them, join them." The 208cc you see on Briggs equipment in recent years is a clone. Since the LO206 is based on the Intek, they are the sole manufacturer of those parts, and they can't tap into the supply lines of a clone to build engines.
If you are not in the lawnmower industry or have never been to the equip exposition(formerly GIE Expo), the largest expo for that industry, you would not believe how outdated the Briggs engines are compared to Japanese and Chinese manufacturers. Briggs's last line of defense is their big block Vanguard engines, but it won't be long before the competition starts to eat away at that market. Not to mention the push for EVs.
Since Briggs has trouble due to bankruptcy, many suppliers have put them on some form of COD. Whether the LO206 or Briggs racing makes money, the problem is allocating the cash to buy parts. With more significant issues, Briggs isn't going to put the LO206 before their lawnmower business.
Quite honestly, I don't know how Briggs will get through and remain an "American" company.
I'm unsure if there is a viable alternative to the LO206, especially one that would make the transition easy. Anything on the market now is a work in progress, and Briggs is on borrowed time. If Briggs doesn't satisfy their dealers, especially those that sell karts or run tracks, the dealers may very well adopt something else out of spite and make it work.
