Snapper, Inc. is a United States company that makes residential and professional lawn care and snow removal equipment, based in McDonough, Georgia. Most known for their high-quality red "rear-engine" riding lawnmower, which comes with either their patented hi-vac cutting deck, or side discharge, and is capable of standing on end for storage, or repairs.
The company began in 1894 as Southern Saw Works, and claims to have invented the first self-propelled rotary lawn mower.
Southern Saw Works (later McDonough Power Company) was acquired in the 1940s by William Raymond Smith (Bill) and the company changed the direction when the lumber industry declined. Bill Smith recognized a need for a lawn mower and he received a patent for a mowing blade. With this, he created the "Snappin' Turtle." While still alive, he cited the reason for the name was because of the way it snapped the grass and he placed a turtle figurine on the top front of the first model.
Snapper, Inc. was led by Bill's innovation throughout the years and improved with the needs of the consumer by producing an assortment of lawn care tools. With this, Snapper became a multi-unit production with facilities in two states.
Snapper was acquired in 2002 by Simplicity Manufacturing, which was subsequently acquired by Briggs & Stratton in 2004.
