The History of Generac: From Barn Workshop to Power Industry Leader

A Humble Beginning
Generac’s story starts in 1959, when Robert Kern founded the company in a small barn in Wales, Wisconsin. With only a handful of employees, Generac began by building portable generators. Early partnerships, including producing models under the Sears Craftsman brand, helped the young company gain traction and establish a reputation for reliable, American-made power solutions.

Innovation and Expansion
During the 1960s and 1970s, Generac expanded into new markets, including generators for recreational vehicles and other portable uses. By the 1980s, the company began to turn its focus toward larger-scale power needs. That focus led to a breakthrough in 1989, when Generac introduced the very first automatic home standby generator. This innovation created an entirely new product category and put Generac on the map as a leader in backup power for homeowners.

Challenges and Resilience
Like many great companies, Generac faced setbacks along the way. In the 1990s, it partnered with Caterpillar to supply portable generators, only to lose that contract a few years later. After selling off its portable generator division in 1998, Generac spent several years focused on industrial and commercial systems. When non-compete agreements expired in 2008, the company returned to the portable generator market with renewed strength. Private equity investment in 2006 also gave Generac fresh resources to stabilize and grow.

Becoming a Public Company
In 2010, Generac went public on the New York Stock Exchange, raising $224 million in its initial public offering. This moment marked the beginning of a new chapter, as the company used its public status to accelerate expansion, enter new markets, and diversify its products. Today, Generac is part of the S&P 500, with revenues exceeding $4 billion, a far cry from its barnyard origins.

Diversification and the Future of Energy
Generac has grown far beyond its early reputation as simply a generator company. Its product line now spans from portable units to massive industrial systems capable of powering factories and hospitals. The company has also invested heavily in renewable energy and smart home technology, introducing products like the PWRcell solar + battery storage system, advanced transfer switches, and energy management solutions. Through strategic acquisitions of companies in solar, storage, and grid services, Generac has positioned itself as a player in the future of clean, reliable energy.

Why Generac’s Story Matters
Generac’s journey is a classic American success story — a company that started small, faced challenges, adapted, and grew into an industry leader. Today, Generac stands not only as the most recognized name in home standby generators, but also as a forward-looking energy company helping homeowners and businesses achieve greater independence and resilience in a changing world.