MILWAUKEE — As the world's largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment, Briggs & Stratton also has one of the most extensive dealer networks in the country. With over 12,000 authorized Briggs & Stratton dealers in North America, the company implements a variety of training programs to ensure technicians are properly educated to service outdoor power equipment powered by Briggs & Stratton engines. As a result of their efforts, Briggs & Stratton was named manufacturer of the year by the Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC).

Founded in 1997, The EETC is a non-profit association made up of industry professionals, including manufacturers and dealers, that works to train and educate technicians in the outdoor power equipment industry. Each year the EETC recognizes a manufacturer who is an active partner in providing educational opportunities and resources to properly train technicians. This year, the manufacturer of the year award was presented to Briggs & Stratton for their support of the EETC through ongoing membership, educational efforts, and dealer engagement.

"Briggs & Stratton has done an outstanding job with education. I look at them as a model for their involvement in education for dealers and their commitment to quality for their customers," said Erik Sides, executive director for the EETC.

As one of the founding members and biggest supporters of the EETC, Briggs & Stratton has alway provided education and resources to technicians. Whether it is through their annual updates on new product innovations and service related topics, providing hands-on training curriculum or online training through their Power Portal, or providing vocational instructors at high schools, tech colleges, and universities with curriculum to teach small engines classes, Briggs & Stratton provides a wide variety of training opportunities and resources.

"As a manufacturer, you want to know that your product is in good hands, and consumers can be confident that these people (technicians) are the 'best of the best' and their equipment will be serviced correctly the first time around," said Tom Billigen, manager of customer education at Briggs & Stratton.