60 years of chainsaw innovation
In 1959, Husqvarna launched its first chainsaw, the Husqvarna MS90. Now in 2019, Husqvarna celebrates the company’s 60-year jubilee of manufacturing chainsaws and delivering groundbreaking innovations for its customers. Throughout all these years, Husqvarna has focused on its DNA with a strong emphasis on usability, performance and maneuverability - and of course the iconic Husqvarna orange color.
The first Husqvarna chainsaw was the 90cc Husqvarna 90. It was the first Husqvarna product in orange and just like the majority of Husqvarna’s chainsaws today, it was produced in Huskvarna, Sweden. With the launch of Husqvarna 90, the company not only introduced its first chainsaw, they also created a product with noise levels half of what competitors could offer due to a unique muffler design.
Since then, Husqvarna has been developing and manufacturing its unique orange chainsaws, offering some of the best products on the market with ground breaking and industry changing innovations.
“We are very proud of our heritage as a global manufacturer of chainsaws. We first started developing chainsaws when we saw a decrease in motorcycle sales in the 50’s and were looking for new opportunities. It’s an example of how Husqvarna successfully has tested and developed new innovations over decades, from guns in 1689 to class leading chainsaws in 2019.”, says Pieter Smuts, Country Manager.
Husqvarna chainsaw innovations throughout the years
A lot has happened since 1959 and through the years Husqvarna has introduced several ground-breaking solutions with a strong user focus. In 1969, with the launch of Husqvarna 180, the company introduced a ground-breaking anti-vibration function that prevents ‘white fingers disease’, a common problem for forestry workers around the world. Four years later, Husqvarna introduced the world’s first chainsaw with an automatic chain-brake. In 1999, the feature TrioBrake was introduced, enabling users to activate the chain break with their right hand – further reducing the risk of injury for forestry workers.
Another example of Husqvarna’s chainsaw innovation is X-Torq, which delivers lower fuel consumption and reduced exhaust emission levels, in accordance with the world´s most stringent environmental regulations. The company also introduced AutoTune, a technological and environmental breakthrough in professional chainsaws which regulates fuel flow automatically to optimize performance and minimize exhaust emissions.
In 2012, Husqvarna introduced battery powered chainsaws with petrol performance; lightweight, quiet and free from direct emissions. Four years later, Husqvarna presented the company’s first line of chainsaw chains, X-Cut. The X-Cut chains are produced in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Huskvarna which can manage the highly complex production of chains, from raw material to complete product.
This year, in 2019, Husqvarna launched a new chainsaw, Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II. A 50cc chainsaw developed for professional forestry workers with class leading cutting capacity, yet to be launched in Africa. A lot has happened since 1959, but Husqvarna’s chainsaw remains orange and with a strong focus on usability, performance and maneuverability.
For more information please contact:
Mail: marketing@husqvarna.co.za
About Husqvarna
Husqvarna is a brand within Husqvarna Group. Since 1689, Husqvarna has manufactured high performing products and delivered industry-changing innovations such as anti-vibration and automatic chain-break on chainsaws, as well as the world’s first commercial robotic mower. Today, Husqvarna offers a broad range of high performing outdoor power products for parks, forest and garden, and represents technological leadership in the key areas; chainsaws, trimmers, ride-on mowers and robotic mowers. Husqvarna products are sold in more than 100 countries, mainly through servicing dealers.
About Husqvarna Group
Husqvarna Group is a global leading producer of outdoor power products and innovative solutions for forest, park and garden care. Products include chainsaws, trimmers, robotic lawn mowers and ride-on lawn mowers. The Group is also the European leader in garden watering products and a global leader in cutting equipment and diamond tools for the construction and stone industries. The Group’s products and solutions are sold under brands including Husqvarna, Gardena, McCulloch, Poulan Pro, Weed Eater, Flymo, Zenoah and Diamant Boart via dealers and retailers to consumers and professionals in more than 100 countries. Net sales in 2018 amounted to SEK 41bn and the Group has around 13,000 employees in 40 countries.
