Why Choose Homelite?
Homelite’s promise to its customers is the reputation that it has forged throughout the years since it has been in business. The bedrock of the brand’s foundation is that it works to provide dependable and high-quality products to its customers through innovative technologies and manufacturing processes.
History
To get to know the company, we’ll take you through the company’s founding, breakthroughs, early years, and how it looks today.
Founding and Milestones
Homelite was founded back in 1921 by Charles H. Ferguson, but it did not start as a chainsaw manufacturer. Ferguson grew up around farmers, and even at a young age, he constantly tried to come up with ways to make farm life easier. He was an inventor, and as he grew up, his passion as an inventor took on a whole new meaning. He wanted to help bring electricity to farms and households that did not have access to it through traditional landlines. When the company was first founded, it was known as the Home Electric Lighting Company, but later on, it took on the abbreviation Homelite, which it’s known as today.
Although the company is now known for the quality lawn equipment and chainsaws it manufactures, it didn’t start that way. The first invention that Ferguson created for his company was a generator. The generator model that Ferguson invented was lightweight and portable compared to other options at the time, and it was gasoline-powered. Although he intended to help provide electricity to farms and households, his generators played a huge role in the World War II war effort by providing portable electricity for the troops on demand. This was important because electricity was difficult to obtain on the battlefield, but with the company’s generators, this was no longer an issue.
It wasn’t until 1946 that the company manufactured its first chainsaw model. It was one of the first electrical-modeled chainsaws to hit the market. At the time, saws were heavy and bulky, which would require at least two people to operate. However, in 1949, the company released the first chainsaw that was capable of being operated by a single individual. This was a huge leap in technology and innovation for the chainsaw industry. Over the next couple of decades, the company solidified its position in the industry as being one of the largest manufacturers of chainsaws in the world.
However, in the 1950s, the company was acquired by Textron, which continued to manufacture the brand as its own. By the mid-1960s, the company had a wide array of models that ranged from small brush cutters to more advanced professional logging saws.
In 1963, it released the world’s first “lightweight” chainsaw, the XL-12, which had a magnesium-alloy frame. The number 12 in the name was the number of pounds that this model’s power-head weighed. Even to date, this model is one of the most widely recognized chainsaw models in history, partially because of its use in various horror films.
After the success of the XL-12 chainsaw, the company began to branch out in the late 1970s, and it began to manufacture other types of power equipment, including push mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers.
After 40 years, the company was acquired by John Deere in 1994 from Textron, and John Deere continued to manufacture and produce the company’s well-known products. However, after less than 10 years, John Deere sold Homelite to Techtronic Industries in 2001, and this is where the company has remained.
After purchasing the company, Techtronic Industries Company Limited, a Hong Kong-based manufacturing company, shifted the company’s primary production and manufacturing efforts to consumer-level garden and lawn equipment and some light-duty chainsaw models.
Production and Manufacturing
Let’s take a look at how Homelite’s products set them apart from the competition and where they manufacture them.
Products
Homelite is still producing goods that help customers with lawn and garden care, but it has taken the industry to new levels, and it consistently helps bring the industry into the modern age. Some of the most recent products include portable electric chainsaws and other gardening tools. The 14 electric chainsaws and the 16 electric chainsaws are two of the most popular models on the market.
You might ask yourself, “How to choose the best electric chainsaw?” When looking at the different products manufactured by the company, you should look at the different features that each model has to see if it will benefit and cater to your needs. Even though it started as a generator manufacturer, its innovative chainsaw models and the features it has added are what the company has become known for. Here are just a few features that the company’s chainsaws are known for:
- Tool-less chain tensioner
- Automatic oiler
- Wraparound handle with soft comfort hand grip
Manufacturing
Although the manufacturing of Homelite products originated in the United States, after the acquisitions of the company, its products are now manufactured in China at a plant owned by Techtronic Industries. The company’s chainsaws are still considered some of the most durable models on the market. The company strives to make the most efficient and dependable chainsaws in different subcategories of technologies. One important thing about the company’s choice of manufacturing factories is that it allows its products to be brought to market at a lower cost to its customers while still providing them with a durable product.
Key Facts
Historically, the company is known for developing and producing some of the world’s first and most dependable generators and chainsaws. It ensures that its factories follow certain guidelines and take responsibility for any harm that they might have caused in the past, furthering the corporate responsibility movement that many other manufacturing companies take part in. Although the company has moved through different owners throughout the years, it strives to keep up the tradition of manufacturing high-quality and dependable chainsaws for its loyal customers.
Warranty Information
When it comes to the peace of mind of its customers, the company provides warranties on all of its chainsaw products. All of the warranties are a two-year warranty on the unit itself when it is for consumer use. If the product is being used commercially, the warranty will only cover the unit for 90 days. For the convenience of its customers, the company has provided the full details of the warranty for each product in its operator’s manual that comes with the product upon purchase. If you have misplaced the manual, you can visit the tool’s product page at http://www.homelite.com and download a PDF version to find out the fine details of the warranty.
Upon purchasing your chainsaw from Homelite, you are encouraged to register your product on its website. This is one way to help ensure that the warranty is upheld without having to worry about keeping up with your proof of purchase. However, if you keep the original receipt, this is the best form of proof you can have when contacting customer service about claiming your warranty.
Homelite Appliance Parts
When dealing with any sort of appliance, you need a secure and definite place to go when you need to replace parts on the appliance. With Homelite chainsaws, this has been made simple. You can go to the parts locator page on the company’s website here. Once on the page, you will need to find your product’s model number and then click the “Parts Locator” button on the screen. Here you will be taken to where you can order the parts online and have them sent directly to your home.
Check Out More Homelite Content From Chainsaw Selector
We have put together a collection of resources below for you to further your research into Homelite’s products.
Homelite Chainsaw Reviews
Take a look at our Homelite chainsaw reviews to get a better idea of which one is ideal for you. We cover fuel options, safety features, and more.
Homelite Chainsaw Roundups
If you want to look at some of the best chainsaws Homelite has to offer, we can show you some of the key features or most desired products here. You’ll find some of the most recommended options for Homelite chainsaws within each category, such as power type, engine, and turn-on type.
Homelite Press Releases
This is where you can find any press releases that have come out about Homelite and its products. You’ll find press-worthy information about the company, and it could provide you with insight on if you wish to give your business to the company.
Homelite Recalls
This is where you can find any information that might pertain to specific Homelite chainsaw products or accessories that the company might have recalled. You’ll also be able to view explanations for the recall, the possible risks when using the recalled product, places where you might have purchased the products, and any recommendations that have been released for current users of the recalled products.
Where To Buy
You can find Homelite chainsaws for sale at most major online retailers. Within each link below, you’ll be able to see the full line of branding products that are offered at each retailer. Check out our recommendations for where to buy Homelite chainsaws that may suit your needs.
Deals
In addition to bringing you the best in Homelite products, we can direct you to affiliate pages where you might find special deals or sales on the model you prefer. If you’re looking into Homelite chainsaws, check out some of the links below to see which models might have special pricing attached to them.
Similar Brands
We’ve given you some comprehensive information on Homelite and the kinds of chainsaws and other products it manufactures. However, we can also recommend items from several similar brands. If you want to expand your purchasing options when it comes to chainsaw power and features, please consider some of these brands during your search as well.
Online Presence
Knowing the positive influence of social media, Homelite provides several contact points to increase its online presence. Here are some of the ways you can view information about the company.
Contact Information
In efforts to keep in contact with its customers, Homelite customer service representatives are dedicated to caring for customers’ needs. Here are some of the most common and accessible ways to reach a representative of Homelite.
- Customer Service Number: 1-800-242-4672
- Lawn Mower Customer Service Number: 1-866-457-5888
- Communication Portal
- Address: Homelite Consumer Products Inc., P.O. Box 1207, Anderson, SC 29625