The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) has released its December forecast, showing record growth across the industry despite an ongoing pandemic and downward market pressures, and predicting continued positive activity into 2021.
OPEI is an international trade association representing power equipment, small engine, battery power systems, portable generators, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.
“We’ve seen very real, significant positive market dynamics across many of the segments we track,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. “While this year has been very challenging, the industry has stepped up to continue making and shipping necessary equipment, helping many Americans get outside and work in and reconnect with their living landscapes.”
Kiser added, “We expect demand for outdoor power equipment to remain strong into 2021 as homeowners expand their connection to their living landscape and invest in the maintenance of their outdoor spaces. Consumer demand remains high, and inventories at outdoor power equipment dealers remain tight.” Overall, the industry saw shipments of outdoor power equipment increase by more than 5 million units – a jump of 16 percent from last year – and those levels are expected to remain elevated in 2021.
This year has seen expansion of both gas and battery/electric equipment, with all electric and battery powered segments tracked by OPEI posting double-digit growth.
“The industry continues to expand its power offerings for commercial contractors and homeowners,” Kiser said. “Whether its gasoline, propane, or battery/electric power, OPE manufacturers have the equipment and the power source to get the job done.”
- Consumer lawn mower shipments grew more than 15 percent in 2020, with 7.7 million units shipped.
- Commercial lawn mower shipments are down about 5 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, with more than 308,000 shipped, but are expected to grow by more than 5 percent in 2021.
- Handheld power equipment shipments grew by more than 17 percent in 2020, with 29.3 million units shipped.
“Commercial products are down a bit this year, as professional landscape contractors have been conservative during this period of uncertainty. They’ve been saving and will likely be in a strong cash position in the spring,” Kiser said. “Manufacturers expect significant commercial investment in spring of 2021, and we expect this sector to grow by more than 5 percent next year.” OPEI forecasted projections use as their basis the compiled monthly shipment data reported by OPEI members, constituting more than 90 percent of all shipments in the U.S. market. OPEI projections reflect shipments of products to include all power sources (e.g., gas, battery, corded (AC), diesel, propane).
