If you’ve spent any time in lawn care forums or Facebook groups lately, you’ve probably seen the question pop up: is Ferris Mowers going out of business? It’s a fair thing to wonder, especially if you own one or are considering buying one. Rumors like this tend to spread fast, especially when a brand’s parent company has been through visible financial trouble in recent years.
The good news is that the actual story is much less dramatic than the internet chatter suggests. Ferris is still designing, manufacturing, and selling mowers, and dealers across the country are stocking new models. This article breaks down where the rumors started, what’s actually happening with the company today, and whether it’s still a smart brand to buy into.
From Dairy Equipment to Lawn Care (1909–1986)
Ferris didn’t start out as a lawn equipment company at all. It began in 1909 as the Uebler Milking Machine Company, based in Vernon, New York, focused entirely on dairy farming equipment. For decades, its business had nothing to do with grass or mowers.
That changed as the dairy equipment market began to shrink through the mid-20th century. Recognizing the shift, the company rebranded in 1986 as Ferris Industries and launched its first commercial lawn mowers, betting on the growing demand for professional landscaping equipment. It was a pivot that could have easily failed, but instead it set the stage for everything the brand is known for today.
That early gamble paid off largely because of one innovation: Ferris introduced the first independent suspension system for riding mowers, borrowing ideas from race car engineering to smooth out the ride for operators. That single feature became the backbone of the brand’s identity and reputation for decades to come.
Where Did the Rumors Come From?
Most “going out of business” rumors don’t come out of nowhere, and Ferris’s case is no different. The biggest trigger was Briggs & Stratton, Ferris’s parent company, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020. Since Ferris operates under that corporate umbrella, plenty of owners understandably worried the brand would go down with it.
Adding to the confusion, Briggs & Stratton has scaled back or discontinued other brands in its portfolio, like Snapper and Simplicity, in recent years. Forum posts about those cuts often got mixed up with Ferris itself, even though Ferris wasn’t the brand being trimmed. If anything, some dealers report Ferris gaining relative shelf space as other lines shrink.
There’s also confusion tied to Ferris manufacturing mowers sold under the Stihl name. Seeing a Ferris-built machine wearing a different badge has led some customers to assume the brand is being phased out, when it’s actually a manufacturing partnership rather than a wind-down.
Signs Ferris Is Actually Growing
Rather than pulling back, Ferris has been rolling out new products. Its 2026 lineup includes the Z3 stand-on mower and the compact Z1 series, both aimed at expanding its reach in the commercial mowing market. Dealers are already stocking these models, which isn’t typical behavior for a brand on its way out.
Ferris also introduced a new 10-year suspension warranty in late 2025, doubling its previous 5-year coverage and making it the longest suspension warranty in the industry. That kind of long-term commitment signals confidence in the brand’s future, not a company preparing to disappear.
On top of new gas-powered models, Ferris has been expanding into electric mowers as well, aligning with broader industry demand for more sustainable equipment options. Between new products, longer warranties, and steady dealer restocks, the pattern points to growth rather than decline.
KPS Capital Partners’ Role After the Bankruptcy
After Briggs & Stratton filed for bankruptcy in 2020, private equity firm KPS Capital Partners acquired the company’s assets as part of its restructuring. This acquisition gave Briggs & Stratton, and by extension Ferris, a fresh financial foundation rather than an uncertain future.
Since the acquisition, KPS has continued to position Ferris as one of the key brands in its Turf & Consumer Products division, alongside Snapper and Simplicity. While some smaller or underperforming lines have been reduced, Ferris has remained a priority, benefiting from continued investment in new models and manufacturing.
This kind of private equity backing often comes with pressure to strengthen the most profitable and promising brands in a portfolio, and Ferris appears to be one of them. That gives the brand a level of financial stability that simply wasn’t guaranteed back in 2020.
The Many Faces of Ferris Mowers: What Does the Brand Represent?
At its core, Ferris represents rugged, work-first equipment built for people who use their mowers to earn a living, not just maintain a backyard. Its customer base is heavily made up of landscaping professionals who prioritize durability and uptime over flashy design.
The brand’s identity is closely tied to its patented suspension system, which remains one of the most recognizable features in the commercial mower space. For many buyers, “Ferris” and “smooth ride on rough terrain” are essentially synonymous.
At the same time, Ferris expanded its product range to include stand-on mowers, blowers, spreaders, and sprayers, evolving into a more complete turf care equipment provider rather than focusing on a single product. That evolution suggests a brand trying to grow its footprint, not shrink it.
How Ferris Compares to Competitors
Ferris competes directly with major names like Toro, Husqvarna, and John Deere, all of which have strong reputations and loyal customer bases of their own. Ferris tends to differentiate itself through its suspension technology, which none of its main competitors replicate in quite the same way.
Price is one area where Ferris often draws criticism, since its machines typically cost more than comparable models from competitors. For budget-conscious buyers, that can be a real sticking point, even if the long-term durability evens things out.
Where Ferris tends to win people over is operator comfort and machine longevity, especially for commercial users running machines for hours a day. That combination has kept it competitive even against bigger, more diversified competitors.
Ferris Mowers Future Prospects
Ferris appears to be building for future growth instead of reducing its operations. Its expanding electric mower lineup suggests the company is preparing for a shift in industry demand rather than playing catch-up later.
The extended suspension warranty and steady stream of new commercial models both point toward a brand investing in long-term customer trust, not one managing a slow exit. KPS Capital Partners’ continued investment has helped keep Ferris in a strong position within Briggs & Stratton’s lineup of brands. Unless an unexpected development occurs, the company is expected to maintain a stable outlook, with ongoing product innovation and strong dealer support.
Conclusion: Should You Still Buy a Ferris Mower?
Based on everything currently available, there’s no real evidence that Ferris Mowers is going out of business. Most of the rumors stem from its parent company’s 2020 bankruptcy and confusion surrounding other discontinued sister brands, rather than any issues involving Ferris itself.
If you’re considering a Ferris mower, the brand’s continued investment in new models, warranties, and dealer support are strong signs that parts, service, and support aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. For buyers who value comfort and durability over the lowest price tag, Ferris remains a solid choice in the commercial mower market.
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