The warmer than average start to the season was deceptive. Many North American cities are now digging themselves out from under a blanket of snow, and warnings are already on the way for more storms.
But with buckets of snow coming down, the last thing most people want to do is risk life and limb shoveling (seriously, it can be a dangerous pastime). This is a big reason why the global snow blower market is growing at a moderate pace and is expected to reach a value of $4.36 billion by 2020.
Now, “global” might be a bit of a misnomer for this market. It should surprise no one that snow blowers have a pretty limited presence, geographically speaking. Technavio’s new report on the topic concentrates primarily on North America, Japan, and Europe.
North American snowfall: Snapshot
The graphs below represent the total amount of snowfall on days that it snowed at least 0.08-0.1 inches. The snowfall totals are annual averages based on weather data collected from 1981 to 2010.
Average annual snowfall in various US states (20-60 days)
Average annual snowfall in various Canadian cities (50-80 days)
Source: Technavio, 2015
According to a new Technavio report, there are 11 key vendors expected to have an impact on the global snow blower market over the next four years.
Top snow blower vendors:
American Honda Motor
American Honda Motor was founded in 1953, and headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. The company provides cars, SUVs, trucks, automobile parts and accessories, generators, engines, lawn mowers, trimmers, motorcycles, tillers, multi-purpose utility vehicles, outboard motors, pumps, scooters, and snow blowers through authorized Honda dealers. It also offers maintenance, repair, and operational services.
Ariens
Ariens has has been manufacturing outdoor power equipment since 1933. Its premium international brands include Ariens and Ariens Sno-thro lawn and garden products for consumers. Ariens’ products are sold through independent power equipment dealers, the broad line MRO suppliers, the Home Depot stores, regional farm retailers, and select online retailers.
Cub Cadet
Cub Cadet is known for introducing new technologies to the market including:
- 2007: Four-wheel steer or Synchro-Steer technology
- 2009: Cub Cadet zero-turn riding mowers that offer the tightest turning radius
- 2010: Zero-turn riding mower with lap bar technology
Greenworks Tools
Greenworks tools was founded in 2009, and offers a range of snow throwers and electric snow shovels.
Husqvarna
Husqvarna was founded in 1689, and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The company offers garden watering products, cutting equipment, and diamond tools to construction and stone industries. It also provides outdoor power products, including chainsaws, trimmers, robotic lawn mowers, and garden tractors.
John Deere
Deere and Co was established in 1837 and is headquartered in Illinois. The company, along with its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes agriculture and turf, construction, and forestry equipment internationally.The company has built a strong R&D base and spends heavily in new product development activities. For FY2013, it spent $1.47 billion in R&D and the net sales and revenue generated was $37.7 billion.
MTD Products
MTD was founded in 1932, and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The company designs, manufactures, and markets outdoor power equipment, off-highway transmissions, and consumer goods for residential and commercial applications.
Ryobi
Ryobi specializes in making pro-featured power tool and outdoor equipment.
Sears Holdings
Sears Holdings was founded in 2005 through the merger of Kmart and Sears.
The company owns stores that provide appliances, apparel, tools, sporting goods, consumer electronics, outdoor living, lawn and garden equipment, connected solutions, footwear, jewelry, and accessories.
Snow Joe
Snow Joe was founded in 2004, and is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey. The company designs and develops outdoor power equipment products for homeowners. It offers snow blowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, lawn mowers, edger, composters, tillers and cultivators, log splitters, yard tools, and clean-up products.
Toro
Toro was established in 1914, and is headquartered in Minnesota. The company designs, manufactures, and markets professional turf maintenance equipment and services, turf irrigation systems, landscaping equipment and lightings, agricultural micro-irrigation systems, rental and specialty construction equipment, and residential yard and snow thrower products.
