About Tecumseh Products
About Tecumseh Products
Tecumseh Products was founded in 1934 by Raymond Herrick, who combined his skills as a machinist with assembly-line knowledge gained while working for Henry Ford to manufacture parts for refrigeration equipment. That refrigeration and compressor expertise became the foundation of the company's long-term manufacturing identity.
In 1956, Tecumseh entered the small engine market by acquiring Lauson, a company founded in 1895 that had grown into one of the largest small gasoline engine manufacturers in the United States, and followed in 1957 with the acquisition of Power Products Company, maker of two-cycle engines used in many antique chainsaws. These acquisitions let Tecumseh produce compact, lightweight aluminum diecast engines from 2 to 12 horsepower used across lawn, garden, and farm machinery, and at its peak the company controlled roughly 20 percent of the world's small engine market.
Tecumseh closed its engine manufacturing division in December 2008, and in February 2009 Platinum Equity sold certain assets of the engine business to Certified Parts Corporation, which assumed warranty responsibility for prior engine sales. The Tecumseh Products name lives on today primarily through its compressor and refrigeration component lines, and ChatMRO indexes this catalog so buyers can search by compressor model or legacy engine part number to find matching components.
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Frequently asked questions
When was Tecumseh Products founded?
Tecumseh Products was founded in 1934 by Raymond Herrick, who applied machinist skills and Ford assembly-line experience to manufacturing refrigeration equipment parts. This refrigeration focus became the company's long-term core business.
Did Tecumseh ever manufacture small gasoline engines?
Yes, Tecumseh entered the small engine market in 1956 by acquiring Lauson, followed by Power Products Company in 1957. At its peak, Tecumseh controlled approximately 20 percent of the world's small engine market before closing its engine division in December 2008.
Is Tecumseh Products still manufacturing small engines today?
No, Tecumseh closed its engine manufacturing division in December 2008. In February 2009, certain assets of the engine business were sold to Certified Parts Corporation, which took over warranty responsibility for existing engines.
What products does Tecumseh Products still manufacture?
Tecumseh's current business centers on compressors and refrigeration components, which trace back to the company's original 1934 founding focus. These products remain in active use across commercial and residential refrigeration equipment.
Where can I find parts for older Tecumseh small engines?
Legacy Tecumseh engine parts are typically sourced through distributors who took over support after the 2009 asset sale, including Certified Parts Corporation. ChatMRO can help route sourcing requests for both legacy engine components and current compressor products.