Peerless Gear was founded in Toledo, Ohio in 1945, with only a dozen hourly employees, but the small company quickly developed a reputation for quality and professional work.
The company grew, necessitating a move in 1956 to new facilities in Dunkirk, Ohio, where it continued to prosper and grow. In 1963, we became part of Tecumseh Products Corporation which provided new strategies in marketing our unique product. In 1964, Peerless Gear changed its location to Clinton, Michigan. Its collaboration with Tecumseh Products, in Tecumseh, Michigan, helped Peerless Gear mature into a leader among transaxle manufacturing companies. In 1981, we opened our plant in Salem, Indiana.
By 1984, Peerless was producing over one million units annually. As production increased, so did our professionalism. Peerless Gear is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of lawn and garden transaxles.
By the end of 2008, Tecumseh shut down manufacturing operations related to its engine business and the Peerless brand was acquired by Husqvarna Outdoor Power in February of 2009.
Husqvarna is the world's largest producer of lawn mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers and chainsaws, and is one of the two largest producers of riding mowers. The company is also a market leader in zero turn mowers, irrigation equipment, and forestry, landscaping and turf products. Based in Sweden, Husqvarna employs over 15,000 people worldwide with annual sales of US$5 billion.
Its international portfolio of brands include Husqvarna, Poulan, WeedEater, Gardena, Dixon, RedMax/Zenoah, Partner, and McCulloch.