A Cut Above: Lawnmower Sales Up

Husqvarna released a new Fast Tractor lawnmower in April, with hopes of capitalizing on a recent surge in consumer orders for ride-on mowers.

Despite all of the economic gloom and doom, one universal truth remains: the grass keeps on growing. Consumers with a little more money in their pockets are out to improve the way they cut it back to size.

According to the most recent shipment data from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, residential ride-on lawnmower sales are up 5.3 percent in 2012, and mower shipments are up 8.1 percent from 2011. Stronger growth is anticipated for 2013. Housing starts and an increase in available disposable income are driving consumer mower sales, and both will keep growing through 2014, according to the report.

Warm weather early in 2012 had consumers excited to buy, and as a result dealers saw a surge in showroom traffic. Many equipment manufacturers have cited high volume orders in ride-on and walk-behind consumer mower products. Homeowners are looking for features like power steering, power lift and comfortable seats to make their lives easier, and consumers are also trending toward zero-turn mowers over traditional garden tractors.

Many large-property owners have eschewed contracting lawn maintenance out to landscapers in favor of doing it themselves to cut costs. Landscape contractors with their own mowers and maintenance equipment can make property owners lives easier still by offering inclusive services that will save time, effort, and ensure professional results.

With this growth, the lawnmower industry is expected to reach 1.16 million units shipped, an improvement over recent years but still lower than the 1.7-1.8 million shipment levels seen between 2003 and 2005.