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News Release For: SOLO, INC.; 5100 Chestnut Avenue; Newport News, VA 23605 Contact:
Michael Isser (516) 781-0180; FAX: (516) 781-3761; e-mail:
info@isserpr.com
For Immediate Release
World's Top Producer of
Backpack Sprayers: SOLO
Celebrates 60-Year Anniversary As
Leading German Engine and OPE Manufacturer SOLO Kleinmotoren GmbH is celebrating its 60th year anniversary this year as a leading engine and outdoor power equipment manufacturer, according to an announcement by David Longfield, President of SOLO, Inc., the German company’s United States subsidiary.
Although SOLO came into being on February 10, 1948 (as entry, “Roll no.
430/1948,” in the Company Registry, Stuttgart), the cornerstone of its success came with
the production of a compact, distinctively designed state-of-the-art two-stroke
backpack sprayer. Since a single
person could now perform the work of many, these immensely popular “One-Man-Sprayers” inspired the current brand name of the
company – SOLO. Founded by
brothers Hans and Heinz Emmerich, SOLO continues to thrive as a family business,
being operated by Hans Emmerich's two sons, Wolfgang and Andreas. The firm is based in Sindelfingen, Germany, and has become the world's largest producer of
sprayers and mistblowers. It also
is a leading manufacturer of chain saws,
trimmers/brushcutters, blowers, lawnmowers, tillers, glider motors and two-cycle
engines, among others. According to Mr. Longfield, SOLO markets its products in more than 85 countries and has major production facilities in Sindelfingen and in Newport News, Virginia, which is also the headquarters of SOLO Inc. As a vertically integrated company, it maintains production facilities for aluminum and magnesium die casting, plastic injection and plastic blow molding, metal blanking, stamping and pressing, machining, welding, electrostratic-powder coating and assembly.
SOLO, Inc. was opened in 1960. In
addition to enjoying an estimated 60 percent market share of the backpack
sprayer business in the United States, it has also achieved significant market
penetration in this country with the SOLO line of trimmers/brushcutters and
chain saws. In addition to marketing and manufacturing products for the United
States, SOLO, Inc. also exports products to Mexico, Peru, Canada, Chile, New
Zealand, Australia, Thailand and Germany. Product innovation has remained a primary objective for the company in each of its 60 years of existence, as the following milestone events indicate. 1948 — SOLO designs a two-cycle engine weighing 6,5 kg, or nearly one-third the weight of lightest industrial engine at the time (16 kg). 1949
— SOLO develops prototype for radical new scooter and first lawnmower with
horizontally rotating blade 1950 — First backpack engine-driven dusting machine 1956 — First production model of an engine-driven lawnmower 1958 — Europe's first direct-drive chain saw 1960 — Forms SOLO Incorporated as first oversees subsidiary 1961 — First plastic manual sprayer 1970 — Mopeds are added to the line 1977 — SOLO signs contract to supply Husqvarna in Sweden with three years supply of consumer chain saws 1980 — SOLO begins production of outboard motors 1986 — The 1,000,000th SOLO motorized backpack is produced 1987 — Introduction of SOLO 644 chain saw 1992 — Development of completely new range of brushcutters 1993 — First operation of futuristic project "Stirling Engine" 1999
— Introduction of Model 470 backpack blower – the first blower to meet new
ANSI B175.2 noise emission standard 2000
-- Introduction of multi-use portable lawn spreader 2005
– Introduction of hedge trimmer with rotating handle
For
further information, visit the SOLO, Inc. website at www.solousa.com. #
# # (April 2008) |