Company Profile
Billy Goat Industries
Company Overview
Billy Goat Industries Inc. is the leading U.S. manufacturer of premium, specialty outdoor power equipment. In focusing on the specialty end of the market, Billy Goat can deliver extraordinary profits for the manufacturer, distributor, and dealer. This profitability fuels the necessary investment in ongoing innovative design, the stocking of parts and accessories, and the commitment to service. In this way, the end customer can expect extraordinary long-term performance from durable, well-tested equipment.
Today Billy Goat designs and produces equipment in three product groups:
Debris Management (vacuums, blowers, and debris loaders)
Mowing (Outback brush cutter, HOMEPRO Mower, HW Mower)
Renovation (power rakes, overseeders and aerators)
Markets include lawn and garden, equipment rental, paving contractors, and janitorial supply.
The Company was founded on and is committed to producing quality products while providing the highest level of service to its customers. Our management is dedicated to continuous improvement in all phases of operation and contributes the necessary investment and people to this end. A quality control program has been established to ensure that the products produced are reliable, functional and safe. These goals are paramount if we are to continue as a leader in the specialty segment of the outdoor power equipment market.
While different factors will continue to impact Billy Goat’s operations day-to-day and year-to-year, the Company aspires to the highest level of integrity. This belief extends to the marketing and retail of our products, the development of our employees, and to our customers. We feel it is the only way to do business.
Company History
Billy Goat Industries, Inc. was formed in 1967 as a subsidiary of Clipper Manufacturing, a former Grandview, MO manufacturer of masonry saws and blades. Feeling that a machine designed to pick up concrete dust and construction debris would provide a natural complement to its line of products, Clipper management decided to design and produce one of its own. The original BG vacuum did not work as well as intended because fine concrete dust found on construction job sites clogged the filter bags. Foreseeing little opportunity in this line of business, Clipper sold the Billy Goat Division in 1969 to Bill Coates and Mort Platt. With the help of a loan from the Small Business Administration, Billy Goat Industries began operations in Grandview, Missouri. In 1974, the Company moved to its present location in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
In order for Billy Goat to survive, the Company had to change its marketing focus from the construction industry to an industry that would provide greater opportunity for its vacuum line. Management shifted focus to janitorial supply and rental companies and repositioned its machines as litter vacuums. This strategy worked well as dealers across the country signed up to sell and service the Billy Goat product line. In the early 1970’s Billy Goat introduced its most successful product to date, the KD series of vacuums. The addition of the KD vacuum opened the door to the lawn and garden industry with applications in both the contractor and homeowner markets. Although the KD has undergone several changes and enhancements, it continues to be the most popular all-purpose vacuum in the industry.
Realizing the potential of its products beyond the US market, the Company started selling outside the United States in the early 1970’s, mainly on the European continent. This proved highly successful as there was a great need for machines of this type and there was little competition from foreign companies. The Company continues today to sell internationally and has increased its presence in markets worldwide.
Billy Goat continued to introduce new products in debris management with a focus on blowing and vacuuming. The original Winro blower, later replaced by the Quiet Blow series of blowers and the small, homeowner-only LB vacuum proved to be high volume units for the Company. In the mid 1980’s, the Company introduced the TR loader, a truck-mounted vacuum for picking up large amounts of leaves and debris. This concept was expanded upon in 1998 with the introduction of the QL, a tow behind loader with greater capacity that allowed for opportunities into new markets.
In the late 1980’s, the Company was again looking for new markets and decided to develop products for the asphalt resealing industry. Since then, a full line of products have been developed to service the needs of this market to help repair and reseal sidewalks, streets and parking lots.
In 1995, the Company added 20,000 feet of production space for welding and fabrication and it dramatically changed the layout of the facility. The Outback brush cutter was introduced to the market and it became an immediate hit. It was designed to cut and clear tall weeds and brush. Markets include residential, commercial, and rental markets.
In a move to smooth out production, staffing, and revenue, the Company entered the lawn renovation equipment segment. The first product in this segment was the power rake. It was introduced in 1997. This machine is used in lawn renovation to lift and remove dead grass and thatch and assist in the planting of new grass and seed. Subsequent renovation products included an aerator (2001) and sod cutter (2004).
In 2002, Billy Goat segmented its broad product line into three distinct categories: Renovation, Mowing, and Debris. This helped add discipline to the development efforts, made the complete offering less confusing to the distributors and dealers, and it gave distributors good reason to sell their Billy Goat programs more than once per year.
A new building dedicated to customer education, product demonstration, and research and development was completed in May of 2003. This new facility has been dubbed Billy Goat University. We expect that it will pay dividends for years to come. The Company also installed a new wash system and curing oven in the coatings department in 2003.
In 2006, redesign of the Blower product category was launched with the introduction of the Force? Blower line. The innovative design of the Force? Blower provided the first walk behind blower on the market with a durable but lightweight and heavy-duty composite housing. By 2008, all models in the blower line had been converted to the Force? concept.
Never satisfied in leaving well enough alone, the company introduced a completely new walk behind vacuum, also during 2006. The MV (multi-vac) was designed with composite housing to provide lighter weight and a proprietary bagging system for operator convenience.
In 2009, the company made a significant investment in its future with the purchase of a 23,000 square foot building less than a half-mile from the factory. This building will house administration, sales, customer service and shipping. Anticipated company growth will require expanded production capacity at the factory so the additional building provides nice flexibility.
Another milestone occurred during 2009 when Billy Goat company founder Bill Coates retired on June 30 after 42 years of service. Bill’s retirement resulted in a change of ownership at the company; his sons, Will and Drew, are looking forward to providing leadership for years to come.
New product development obviously is one of the primary drivers for the Company’s success; it is also one of our main competitive advantages. Billy Goat always takes pride in designing and producing machines of superior quality and the utmost durability. The clear innovator among its competitors, Billy Goat is likewise proud of its family atmosphere and the people that have made the Company the success that it is today.