Victa
Victa is an Australian manufacturer of outdoor garden equipment, including petrol and electric lawn mowers, edgers, trimmers, and chainsaws. They manufacture these in petrol and battery-powered variants. However, Victa is best known as a manufacturer of rotary lawn mowers.[1]
The Victa brand is currently owned by the American engine manufacturer Briggs & Stratton; while being American owned, some assembly is retained in Australia with much occurring at various sites overseas. Manufacturing also primarily occurs overseas.
In Australia and New Zealand, Victa products are sold through major hardware chains and specialist dealers. Victa is also sold in limited quantities through specialist dealers internationally.
History
The company was founded by Mervyn Victor Richardson[2] in 1952.[3]
In 1970 Victa was acquired by Sunbeam Corporation Ltd.[4] In 1996, the company was sold to GUD Holdings Limited,[5] who sold the Victa Lawn Care business to American-based Briggs & Stratton for A$23 million in 2008.[6]
In the 1960s, Victa produced a range of project homes in Australia.[7][8]
While most design and manufacturing capability has remained in Australia, such as assembly, research and development, and parts manufacture, all engine products are sourced from Briggs & Stratton's Facilities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
See also
References
- "About Us". www.victa.com. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- Wood, Richard V., "Richardson, Mervyn Victor (1893–1972)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 2021-12-30
- "Victa mows through the ages", www.murrayvalleystandard.com.au
- "Sunbeam makes cash bid for Victa". The Canberra Times. 26 February 1970. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- "Sunbeam Victa Holdings Limited SVH | deListed Australia". www.delisted.com.au. Retrieved Oct 21, 2022.
- Alice Coster (June 5, 2008). "Victa Lawncare mown down". Herald Sun. www.news.com.au. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- "Victa Homes - Richmond". 1960. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
- "Victa Homes - Pasadena". 1963. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
Further reading
- "Aussie Icon Falls into American Hands" , Brisbane Times, 2008-06-04
External links
Media related to Victa lawn mowers at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- Australian Innovates
- Victa Lawn Mower patent at IP Australia website
- National Museum of Australia 1958 Victa lawn mower, one of two held at the National Museum of Australia.