ECHO is a global brand of portable power equipment manufactured by Kioritz Corporation in Tokyo, Japan. Kioritz Corporation was established in 1947 and with almost 60 years of 2-stroke technology, has been dedicated to the production of portable power equipment. With annual volume reaching over two million units per year, Kioritz Corporation produces more clean burning engine families than any other company. The goal of Kioritz Corporation worldwide is to "Provide products and services that meet the needs of the customer and give total satisfaction through ECHO products." With two overseas plants, one overseas subsidiary, 50 distributors, and more than 8,000 servicing dealers around the world, this goal can only become closer to reality.

Originally named the Kyoritsu Noki Company and later the Kioritz Corp., ECHO was to win design awards and a major market position for its agricultural spray equipment. It first explored the U.S. and Canadian markets in the late 60s with licensing agreements and then formally entered the U.S. market in 1972 with a headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois. In 2009, Kioritz Corporation and Shindaiwa Corporation merged under one umbrella company, Yamabiko Corporation. The merger was part of the company’s overall plan to gain efficiencies and increase their global competitiveness. Integrating the strengths of both the ECHO and Shindaiwa organizations will allow Yamabiko to serve its customer base with dependable products in the outdoor power equipment, agricultural and industrial markets. 

The Canadian Division of ECHO began as a service parts and accessory unit and quickly expanded into a small distribution and shipping warehouse based in Brampton, Ontario. ECHO Power Equipment (Canada) was established in 1985 to support a market for ECHO tools that was beginning to spread from coast-to- coast.

ECHO’s Canadian operations moved to London, Ontario, in 1989 and began dealer direct sales in Ontario in 1990 and Newfoundland in 1991. Today that marketplace stretches from coast to coast and includes a network of over 1,000 dealers. Three separate expansions of its warehouse facilities now supply the full lineup of ECHO power equipment plus a wide range of specialized commercial and pro gardening tools.

 
 
Major Milestones


 

1947 The ECHO story begins in 1947 with the establishment of the original Kyoritsu Noki Company and its revolutionary manual duster-fogger for the application of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. 1950 The company makes its mark with a steadily expanding range of power tools introducing the DM-1 duster/mister powered by the new and revolutionary Kyoritsu two-stroke gas engine. 1956 The first Kyoritsu speed sprayer revolutionizes the domestic agriculture industry. 1961 Kyoritsu enters the U.S. market with licensing agreements to further expand its international agricultural business. 1963 The name ECHO is introduced which brands the company’s first chainsaw, the CS-80. The popular CS-60 is introduced two years later and remains an industry standard today. 1967 ECHO extends its power tool leadership with the introduction of its DM-9 backpack duster. 1970 Kioritz/ECHO begins to market a full range of power tools that catapults it to its current rank as the market leader and innovator. 1971 The famous ECHO CS-302, the world’s first professional mini chainsaw enters the market. 1972 Kioritz and Japan’s Mitsui & Co. Ltd., in a joint venture, establish Kioritz Corporation of America with offices in Northbrook, Illinois. The corporate name is changed to the famous and familiar ECHO Incorporated in 1978. 1977 Continuing to listen to customer needs, ECHO adds a world class lineup of weed and grass trimmers to its equipment lineup. 1979 The PB-200, the world’s first handheld blower is released bringing speed and convenience to landscape cleanups. 1984 ECHO produces its 10,000,000th power engine for the world market. 1984 ECHO Distributing Canada opens its doors in Brampton, Ontario, to establish its first major parts and service presence in Canada. 1985 ECHO Power Equipment (Canada) is established as the division begins sales and marketing initiatives that stretch from coast to coast. 1991 ECHO Canada moves to London, Ontario, where it establishes an 8,000 sq. ft. warehouse/distribution facility. That original facility has twice been expanded to serve a coast to coast network of 1,000 dealers. 1994 ECHO is approved to the internationally recognized ISO 9000 quality registration. 1995 ECHO produces its 20,000,000th power engine for the world market. 1997 ECHO celebrated its 50th anniversary as a world leader in the power tool sector serving the needs of professional landscapers, discriminating gardeners and the agricultural sector. 2002 ECHO Power Equipment (Canada) introduces the ECHO GT-200i trimmer. The world’s easiest starting trimmer is equipped with ECHO’s unique Rapid-Loader™, allowing you to change trimmer line in seconds. 2003 ECHO Power Equipment (Canada) is awarded with the Environmental Award for its contribution to the betterment of the environment. 2003 ECHO Power Equipment (Canada) introduces the complete i-Start™ family - GT-200i, PB-260i, HC-150i, TC-210i, and the SRM-210i. 2006 ECHO Incorporated acquires Terra Marc Industries, the leading manufacturer of Bear Cat chippers and shredders. 2009 Kioritz Corporation and Shindaiwa Corporation merge under one corporation; Yamabiko and ECHO Power Equipment (Canada) becomes the national distributor for Shindaiwa. 2009 ECHO Power Equipment (Canada) was awarded with the Distributor of the Year – Marketing Excellence Award for North America.