Generac Named Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Finalist

- Other finalists in the "Mega" category (1,000+ employees) for the 37th annual awards include Brakebush Brothers Inc., Eaton Corporation, Eli Lilly, M2S Group, and Milwaukee Tool. The award evaluates manufacturers on performance in areas like financial growth, technological innovation, employee commitment, and community support. - In its full-year 2024 results, Generac reported a 7% increase in net sales to $4.30 billion, with residential product sales growing 18% while commercial & industrial (C&I) product sales decreased by 7%. The company's gross profit margin rose to 38.77% in 2024 and is projected to be 39.01% for 2025. - The company is strategically expanding its C&I manufacturing capacity to meet surging demand from the data center market, which it calls a "generational opportunity." This strategy includes the recent acquisition of a new facility in Sussex, Wisconsin, and an agreement to acquire Enercon Engineering, an Illinois-based manufacturer of switchgear and generator enclosures. - U.S. tariffs on imported components, including engines, alternators, and steel and aluminum parts from China and other nations, directly impact the generator industry by increasing production costs. These costs can lead to higher prices for end-users and reduced profit margins for manufacturers who rely on global supply chains. - Under EPA regulations, new emergency standby generators—a core Generac product—are not required to meet the strictest Tier 4 emissions standards, and can instead comply with less stringent Tier 2 or Tier 3 standards. These emergency units are typically limited to 100 hours of annual operation for maintenance and testing. - As of January 1, 2024, new OSHA rules require establishments with 100 or more employees