Procurement Market Intelligence Report
Portable Generators
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Portable Generators Global Overview
Definition
Summary
Portable generators supply electricity temporarily at job sites, campsites or homes. These devices usually run off of gasoline; however, natural gas, propane and diesel versions are also available. Portable generators may be conventional models, or they may be inverter generators, which were introduced in the early 2000s. Inverter generators are smaller, lighter, quieter and more fuel efficient than conventional models, but are also more expensive to purchase. While portable generators can be purchased directly through a small number of manufacturers, the majority of buyers make their purchases through wholesalers and retailers.
This Report Includes:
- Gas Generators
- Portable Generators
- Inverter Generators
- Diesel Generators
Not in this Report:
- Stationary Generators
- Emergency Generators
Global Portable Generators Procurement Trends
Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Portable Generators market.
Warning Trends
Increased tariffs on copper imports take effect
- On August 1, the Trump administration implemented 50.0% tariffs on imported copper. Chile and Canada will be most impacted by these tariffs, as they account for a combined 87.0% of all copper imports in the United States.
- However, these tariffs are less sweeping than initially expected, only applying to semi-finished copper products, while excluding high-purity refined copper and copper input materials, such as ore and concentrate. As leading importers, such as Chile and Canada, have both high copper mining and refining capacities, they will likely avoid most of these tariffs by either exporting the copper in its unrefined form or refining the copper before exporting it to the United States
- These copper tariff exemptions limit the impact on the electronics and electrical equipment sectors because these applications require refined copper due to its optimal conductive properties.
- Thus, the prices of metal alloys that include copper, consumer products made from copper, tools, plumbing, corrosion-resistant alloys, and construction materials made from copper are forecast to rise by an average of 39.2%, according to the Yale Budget Lab.
Tariffs may drive up prices and lead times for electrical equipment
- The Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs, which raise the tariffs on all goods imported from most other countries, are set to take effect on August 7 after the rates were finalized on August 1. The US power generation and distribution sector is highly reliant on imports, with electrical equipment imports accounting for an estimated 56.7% of total annual domestic supply.
- Due to the complexity of most power generation and distribution machinery, most components or raw materials included in these products originate outside the United States, even if the finished machinery is assembled domestically.
- As a result, the Yale Budget Lab currently estimates that the upcoming tariffs will cause electrical equipment prices to increase by 26.6% on average.
- Further, tariffs present complications for the long, often multinational production cycles common for more complex electrical equipment manufacturing, leading American Electric Power and other leaders in the energy sector to warn of shortages and increased lead times for electric equipment.
United States announces new tariffs on all imported steel
- In February 2025, the United States announced 25.0% tariffs on all imported steel with no exemptions or exceptions. The tariffs took effect on March 12, 2025. On June 4th, these tariffs were increased further to 50%. These tariffs were not impacted by a recent court decision that temporarily suspended duties on certain goods as they were implemented under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
- Previously, countries such as Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, the top exporters of steel to the United States, had exemptions from tariffs. These have now been removed and all imported steel, regardless of origin, will be subject to the 50.0% tariff. However, on May 8th, the US announced an agreement with the United Kingdom to remove all levies on steel exported from the UK.
- When tariffs on steel imports were introduced in March 2018, they contributed to an increase in the price of steel and steel products. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of steel-milled products increased by 10.2% in the year after the tariffs were implemented. This market heavily relies on steel as an input and may be impacted by this policy.
Global Portable Generators Market - Suppliers by Region
| Country/Region | Number of Suppliers |
|---|---|
| #1 China | 10,230 |
| #2 Europe | 8,410 |
| #3 India | 4,740 |
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2
Geography Drilldown - US
Average Cost of Portable Generators
United States
2026 Market Pricing$280.00 to $X,XXX.XX
per unitAverage Price
Prices in the Portable Generators market range from $280.00 to $X,XXX.XX, depending on Power Output, Power Quality, Noise Level, Fuel Efficiency and Quality & Type of Materials Used. For example, lower prices are associated with Low output ($280 to $1,800 per unit) and Low peak wattage ($280 to $2,000 per unit), whereas higher prices are associated with High output ($1,000 to $5,000 per unit) and High peak wattage ($1,250 to $5,000 per unit).
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Portable Generators Category Price Trends
Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Portable Generators market, prices in the US have grown 2.1% from 2022 to 2025. Subscribers can access price trend forecasts, price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data. Learn more
United States (2022-2025)
United States (2025-2028)
Compound Annual Growth Rate
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Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Portable Generators
Total cost of ownership is High in the Portable Generators market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs. For example, unforeseen costs in the form of Lost Orders may raise the total cost of ownership unexpectedly.
Negotiated Before
Rentals
Implementation
Billed During
Fuel
Maintenance
Unforeseen
Lost Orders
Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations
In 2026, buyer power amounts to -2.6 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Recent Developments. It is most negatively impacted by Product Specialization. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more
United States
Buyer power forecasts: your glimpse into the future
Develop strategies for the upcoming year and identify unforeseen opportunities for buying now
- Actionable "Buy Now" and "Buy Later" insights
- Near-real-time updates to current and forecast Buyer Power Scores
- Methodology and weightings for Buyer Power Score Components
Supply Chain Risk
The average level of supply chain risk is assessed as Medium, which has a negative impact on buyer power. The level of supply chain risk is affected by industry volatility, barriers to entry, competition, import penetration, regulation and industry financial risk. Buyers in this market can mitigate procurement and supply chain management risks by monitoring risk levels for individual first and second tier suppliers:
1st
Tier Suppliers
- Engine & Turbine Manufacturers
- Long-Distance Freight Truckers
- Commercial Leasing Companies
2nd
Tier Suppliers
- Copper Rolling, Drawing & Extruding Firms
- Steel Rolling & Drawing Firms
- Gasket & Seal Manufacturers
Biggest Portable Generators Suppliers in the US by Revenue
The largest Portable Generators vendors by revenue in the US are Home Depot, inc., Transform Holdco LLC and W.W. Grainger, Inc. Subscribers can sort and filter by market share concentration, profit level and other factors. Learn more
| Supplier | Operational Size | Headquarters | Number of Employees | Market Share (%) | Market Share Performance (3yr trend) | Total Revenue ($ million) | Profit Level (%) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.Com, Inc. | Global | Seattle | >10,000 | 10-15 | ||||
| Home Depot, inc. | International | ATLANTA | >10,000 | 10-15 | ||||
| Honda Motor Co Ltd | Global | Tokyo, JP | >10,001 | 5-10 | ||||
| Walmart Inc. | International | BENTONVILLE, AR | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Yamaha Corp | Global | Hamamatsu, JP | >10,001 | 5-10 | ||||
| Lowes Companies Inc. | International | MOORESVILLE | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Northern Tool & Equipment Co. | National | Burnsville, MN | 1,001-10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Eaton Corporation Plc | Global | DUBLIN | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Ferguson Plc | Global | Wokingham, UK | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
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Profit Analysis
The average profit margin across vendors in the Portable Generators market is 5.4% and steady. Profit levels shift depending on suppliers' spend on wages, purchases and overhead. The highest cost component for vendors is Purchases. The cost trend for this component is falling, when considering movement between 2025 and 2026. To understand cost forecasts for 2027 and uncover the implications on profit, start your subscription. Learn more
Vendor & Supply Chain Analysis
There is a moderate level of market share concentration in the market for portable generators. Market share concentration has been increasing in recent years as top suppliers expand their operations, thereby decreasing some of buyers' negotiating power.
Moderate supply chain risk, high competition, and a moderate level of substitutes contribute to a low vendor financial risk. Vendors are generally financially healthy on average because they tend to offer diversified products with long product life times.
Supply chain risk is moderate, primarily due to dependence on metals such as copper and steel, where high levels of volatility can contribute to sudden price spikes for buyers in the market. Although prices have been reducing recently as supply lines improve.
The United States is a net importer of electric motors and generators, meaning it imports more than it exports. US buyers seeking to import electric motors and generators should expect higher buying lead times and should check quality standards.
Supplier Information
Amazon.Com, Inc.
Amazon.com, Inc. is a global e-commerce company that offers a range of consumer products and services through online and physical stores. It resells merchandise and content and offers products from third-party sellers. It also manufactures and sells electronic devices and develops and distributes media content.... Subscribe to learn more
Home Depot, inc.
Home Depot, Inc. is a home improvement retailer offering building materials, home improvement products, lawn and garden products, décor products, and related services under national and proprietary brands. Its proprietary brands include, among others, HDX®, Husky®, Hampton Bay®, Home Decorators Collection®,... Subscribe to learn more
Honda Motor Co Ltd
Honda Motor Co Ltd is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include passenger vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and portable generators. Founded in 1946, the company is currently headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with an estimated employee count of over 10,000. Subscribe to learn more
Lowes Companies Inc.
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a home improvement retailer for maintenance, repair, remodeling, and decorating markets. Its product portfolio includes appliances, seasonal & outdoor living, lumber, lawn & garden, kitchen & bath, hardware, building materials, millwork, paint, rough plumbing, tools, electrical, Subscribe to learn more
Northern Tool & Equipment Co.
Northern Tool & Equipment Co. is a private company operating nationally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include platform lifts, portable concrete mixers, welding machines, pallet trucks, industrial trucks. Founded in 1981, the company is currently headquartered in Burnsville, Minnesota,... Subscribe to learn more
Walmart Inc.
Walmart Inc. is a public company operating internationally in the manufacturing, manufacturing and professional, scientific and technical services sectors. The company's offerings include personal paper products, paper towels, receipt tape, gps navigation devices, portable generators. Founded in 1962, the... Subscribe to learn more
Yamaha Corp
Yamaha Corp is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include golf carts and portable generators. Founded in 1887, the company is currently headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan with an estimated employee count of over 10,000. Subscribe to learn more
Eaton Corporation Plc
Eaton Corporation Plc is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include electric vehicle charging station construction & maintenance, electric vehicle charging stations, electric ac motors, electric dc motors, hydraulic motors. Founded in 2018, the company... Subscribe to learn more
Ferguson Plc
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. /DE/ is a value-added distributor of infrastructure, plumbing, appliances, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), fire, and fabrication products and solutions to residential, commercial, civil/infrastructure, and industrial markets. It organizes its business into two... Subscribe to learn more
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Procurement Management KPIs for the Portable Generators Market
Managing vendor performance throughout the contract period is easier when tracking specific key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, buyers should monitor Average Order Value and Average Time Between Failures. Buyers may experience better performance throughout their contracts if they establish service level agreements (SLAs) based on Quality and other factors.
| KPI | Level of Importance (1-5) | Measurements | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Order Value |
|
Total number of orders Total value from orders |
The average order value measures the average price that buyers pay for a generator from a specific supplier. Given the varying level of specialization that generators may possess, and the very wide price range that exists within the market, the average order value may be used to understand if a supplier is able to provide the type of generator that is required. |
| Average Time Between Failures |
|
Total time in a given period Total number of failures in a given period |
The average time between failures measures how frequently a generator fails and requires maintenance. Similar to the average time to repair, this metric can be used as an indicator to assess how frequently buyers should expect maintenance to occur. Additionally, this metric will allow buyers to assess the reliability of the generator, as some buyers may require their generator to be able to be powered for long periods of time in colder months. |
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Questions to Ask During Procurement Negotiations
How can I gain leverage during negotiations?
Experience and Expertise
What recent customers from my industry have you supplied with portable generators? What models did they purchase and in what quantity?
What model do you recommend for me?
Reputation
What share of your generator business stems from my preferred generator manufacturer?
Do you receive special pricing terms from the manufacturer based on the volume you sell? How do I benefit from this?
Service & Maintenance
What extended warranty programs do you offer to complement the manufacturer's warranty?
How are your warranties superior to other extended warranties (e.g. those from the manufacturer)?
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Portable Generators RFP Guidelines
What should my RFP include?
Organizational Overview
Buyers should describe their operations (i.e. commercial, industrial, municipal), to help vendors understand their voltage requirements.
Buyers should provide a detailed description of their operational structure, including to whom vendors will report.
Statement Of Need
Buyers should list the type and number of portable generators they require.
Buyers should provide a description of major project sites, and plans for future project sites and energy needs, if applicable.
Project Budget
Buyers should explicitly state the amount for the award.
Buyers should explain the schedule with which payments will be made.
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Our Reports include:
- Opportunity assessment
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- Positive and warning trends
- Buyer power levers
- Price environment and market pricing
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- Cost structure benchmarks and analysis
- Supply chain and vendors
- Global supplier breakdown
- Market share concentration
- Regulation and business requirements
- Vendor management and KPIs
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