Simplicity Manufacturing to Purchase Commercial Mower Company

Warner Frazier, chairman and CEO of Simplicity, said, "The addition of the Ferris product line positions the company to also serve the fast-growing market for larger, commercial grass mowing machinery. This acquisition is ideal because both companies have similar growth objectives and operating styles. In addition, we have complementary product lines and distribution systems."

According to David Ferris, chairman of Ferris Industries, recent developments, including introduction of the first independent suspension system for heavy duty riding mowers, have generated a large demand for Ferris products and increases in production capacity. "These opportunities led to our decision to partner with a firm such as Simplicity that could provide the capital and management necessary to accelerate the product development and manufacturing modernization programs planned for the near future," said Ferris.

Simplicity’s line of riding mowers and lawn and garden tractors, known as The Dealer Line, are available through a nationwide network of dealers. "We believe the capability and experience of our dealers sets Simplicity apart from its competition. Many of our dealers have been expanding their businesses to include professional mowers as well as residential units," says Jim Wier, president of Simplicity. "This alliance with Ferris, a pioneer in the commercial market, provides us with immediate access to one of the best, most respected, and complete lines in the industry."

Both companies’ products, such as Simplicity’s Free Floating™ mower deck and Ferris’ IS® independent suspension system, are known for their product reliability and quality. Wier stated that Simplicity will continue marketing the professional mowers under the Ferris name and through independent distribution.

Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc., has headquarters in Port Washington, Wis., and manufactures riding lawn mowers, lawn and garden tractors, chipper shredders, chipper vacuums, tillers and snowthrowers. Founded in 1922, Simplicity employs nearly 500 people.

Ferris employs approximately 120 people in its Munnsville, N.Y. facility and has annual revenues of nearly $25 million, according to a company spokesman. Founded in 1909 to build milking machines for the dairy industry, Ferris began manufacturing and distributing mowing equipment for landscape contractors, municipalities and other commercial lawn equipment users in 1985.