Commercial Lawn Mower Market

Market Overview

The global commercial lawn mower market size was valued at USD 6.04 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 9.42 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.15% during the forecast period (2023–2031). Factors like the growing demand from the golfing sector and the growing landscaping industry drive the market growth.

The increasing engagement in the sport of golf positively influences the development of new golf courses, stimulating the market need for commercial lawn mowers. A lawn mower (also called a mower, grass cutter, or lawnmower) is a device with one or more revolving blades (or a reel) that cuts vegetation to a uniform height. Commercial lawnmowers are more than a great investment; they may even be necessary for the upkeep of larger properties or facilities and professional lawn care. Commercial mowers are designed to mow 2 to 20 times daily or operate continuously for 12 hours. Commercial mowers are also designed with increased speed to boost productivity. Commercial-grade lawnmowers perform best, as they are the most efficient, most durable, and most well-equipped with features that simplify mowing.

Market Dynamics

Global Commercial Lawn Mower Market Drivers

Growing Demand from the Golfing Sector

Participation in golf has increased significantly year-over-year and is gaining in popularity globally. Even after the pandemic that occurred in 2020, golf participation increased significantly. In 2020, the number of golfers across the US reached around 25 million, witnessing a growth of nearly 500,000 and an increase of around 2% compared to 2019. In addition, the surging number of public golf clubs is further motivating the participation of individuals in the sport. Hence, the growing participation is boosting the construction of new golf courses, thereby driving the market demand for commercial lawn mowers.

Growing Landscaping Industry

Due to the need to provide aesthetic appeal to commercial and residential landscapes and gardens, the demand for landscaping services is increasing globally. This has manifested in a worldwide increase in the landscaping of outdoor yards and spaces. The construction of decorative structures, ponds, patios, and green winding paths is gathering traction on the global market for outdoor landscaping.

The demand for landscaping services is significantly higher from the commercial segment due to the large size of lawns and landscapes. Corporate properties are one of the key users of landscaping services. Likewise, the bigger budgets of commercial properties compared to residential units boost the demand for these services. Hence, the above factors are driving the demand for commercial lawn mowers from landscaping companies worldwide.

Global Commercial Lawn Mower Market Restraint

Rising Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping that requires using rocks, natural or drought-tolerant plants, and other fillers. There is a rise in the uptake of xeriscaping, especially in drought-prone areas, due to restrictions set by the government to save water. For instance, California's Waterworks Districts offer a rebate to customers for removing water-inefficient grass with drought-tolerant landscaping, which is expected to hinder the growth of the global commercial lawn mower market.

Global Commercial Lawn Mower Market Opportunities

Rising Demand for Robotic Lawn Mowers

The demand for convenience, effectiveness, and efficiency among various end-users is driving exponential growth in the market for commercial robotic lawn mowers. It also becomes tiresome for an individual to mow larger commercial facilities with widespread acreage, which is expected to push the consumers towards robotic technology from traditional ones.

In addition, the growing government initiatives on the expansion of green acreage through the construction of parks, lawns, and playgrounds are pushing the demand for the product in the market. Likewise, the rising labor cost in the US and several European nations is encouraging the adoption of autonomous technology to minimize long-term expenses. The robotic lawn mowers market in several Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and African nations is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 13.76% in China, 8.88% in the UAE, and 12.60% in Australia. Such factors create opportunities for commercial robotic lawn mowers.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

Based on region, the global commercial lawn mower market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America is the most significant global commercial lawn mower market shareholder and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.66% during the forecast period. The North American market for commercial lawn mowers is anticipated to be significantly impacted by the escalating number of policies and programs promoting vegetation growth in public spaces. Various commercial clients are opting for eco-friendly methods to support their sustainability efforts. Several industry players emphasize the implementation of environmentally sustainable alternatives that produce fewer toxic emissions and superior and improved efficiency. In addition, North America is estimated to contribute to about 50% of the globe's overall number of golf courses. There are more than 16,000 golf courses in the US, from public, family-friendly greens to exclusive country clubs. With more golf facilities, the gardening equipment sector is expected to maintain steady growth in the region. Hence, the market's growth is expected to increase during the forecast period.

Europe is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 6.18% over the forecast period. The high market share of the European region can be attributed to the comprehensive adoption of equipment in numerous industries, including hospitality, education, and others. Increasing business investments, commercial spaces, and government expenditure on infrastructure are anticipated to increase demand for the product in the region over the next few years. In addition, market players such as Husqvarna introduced new product variants of robotic lawnmowers and traditional mowers with better mowing efficiency and high battery backup. These products were technologically more advanced than their predecessors and thus are accepted by end-users on a large scale. Market players such as Honda, Deere & Co., and Hitachi have also introduced their robotic lawn mower models. All these factors help develop this region's commercial robotic lawn mowers market.

In Asia-Pacific, the commercial lawn mowers market is expected to witness the quickest growth during the forecast period. The increasing demand for autonomous equipment in these nations is supported by their robust economic expansion, increased construction activities, and higher per capita disposable income. Moreover, Japan is regarded as the foremost ecosystem for startups and technology. A similar trend is observed in the commercial sector. The commercial equipment market is increasingly shifting towards robotics and smart technologies. Hence, the abovementioned factors are expected to expedite the demand for commercial lawn mowers. Due to the low cost of labor, a majority of the end-users rely on manually operating equipment. Therefore, low labor costs and many laborers in the region will likely disrupt the market's growth of commercial robotic lawn mowers.

In Latin America, the sluggish growth is attributed to the economic downturn in several nations and tough competition from other developed nations. However, the region is expected to witness a substantial expansion rate during the forecast period due to significant penetration of travel and tourism activities and gradually increasing awareness about the benefits of green cover and natural landscapes. Several developing economies in the market, including Brazil and Mexico, offer tremendous growth potential to commercial lawn mower vendors.

Segmental Analysis

The global commercial lawn mower market is segmented by product, end-user, fuel type, blade type, drive type, start type, and distribution channel.

Based on product, the global market is bifurcated into ride-on, walk-behind, and robotic commercial lawn mowers. 

The ride-on segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.90% over the forecast period. The ride-on lawn mower market is witnessing a significant rise in demand among professional and semi-professional users across the globe. These models have profound usage among professional contractors, with variations in the cutting decks' size and type of fuel used, along with different engine options. Due to its assistance in spreading grass seed and fertilizer, most contractors utilize this equipment to increase production in general. They work well on swales and hills and are considered safe, thus dominating the commercial segment.

Based on end-user, the global market is segmented into professional landscaping services, golf courses and other sports arenas, and government and others. 

The professional landscaping services segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.14% during the forecast period. The prominent aspects driving the growth of professional landscaping services include various innovations being introduced by landscaping firms in their businesses, legislation, technological advances, consumer behavior, and changing culture. Increasing innovations such as mobile-based services enable landscapers to perform their operations effectively. In addition, companies can collaborate with virtual and interactive landscape design software companies to add more value to the product, as it will allow users to utilize some drafting programs to create scale in landscape plans via a computer. This will allow the businesses to remain competitive and maximize profits in the long run.

Based on fuel type, the global market is divided into gas-powered, electric cordless, electric corded, and propane-powered. 

The gas-powered segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.78% over the forecast period. Gas-powered commercial lawn mowers have engines that run on petrol. Hence, these are ideal for large areas that lack mains or cable switches and restrict the usage of corded mowers. In addition, gas-powered ride-on mowers are extremely popular for mowing large areas because they are simple to operate and require minimal physical exertion. These lawn mowers are more powerful, which makes them suitable for thick, tall, and dense grass. They get the mowing job done in a shorter span of time than other mowers.

Based on blade type, the global market is divided into standard blades, mulching blades, lifting blades, and cylinder blades. 

The standard blades segment is the largest revenue contributor to the market and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.60% over the forecast period. Standard blades are also referred to as straight blades. The horizontally rotating blade is the most prevalent blade type in lawn mowers. The slightly curved edges of these blades create a constant airflow as the blade rotates, generating suction and cutting action. These blades are commonly found on lawnmowers with a side-discharge mechanism. These blades are suitable for yards with dense patches of grass.

Based on drive type, the global market is divided into RWD, FWD, AWD, and manual drive. 

The RWD segment owns the highest market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.77% over the forecast period. A lawn mower with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) is pushed forward by its back wheels. In general, lawn mowers have two types of back wheels: low (standard) or high. The words apply to wheel thickness, with a small wheel weighing the same as the front wheels and a larger large wheel that is taller because of a larger diameter. In addition, the strength of rear-wheel drive (RWD) will propel all models in a forward direction. Lawn mowers equipped with rear-wheel drive are most optimally designed for effectively mowing inclines and slopes. The front tires do not lose grip when forced down the handle heading up a slope.

Based on start type, the global market is bifurcated into key start, push start, and recoil start. 

The key start segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 4.73% over the forecast period. A key is used to turn the ignition and start the machine. One of the major advantages of key start mowers is to avoid the stressful situation that users generally face with a push start version. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to manually pull the string prior to the motor reaching its full capacity, as the user is just required to insert the key into the ignition, activate it, and the system will be prepared to proceed.

Based on distribution channels, the global market is divided into offline and online channels. 

The offline segment contributed the highest market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 4.57% over the forecast period. The offline distribution channel dominated the market and is predicted to grow significantly, as customers prefer to understand the product's features and applications before committing to a purchase. Moreover, since commercial lawn mowers involve high prices, the preference for the offline channel is high to lower the risk of receiving damaged products.

Recent Developments

• February 2023- John Deere announced that they are entering the electric market alongside other American legacy brands, including Ford and General Motors. The company has announced intentions to increase the number of electric mowers in both its residential and commercial product lines.
• March 2023- Stiga, a European maker and supplier of garden machinery and equipment, released the Stiga A1500 Autonomous Robot Mower. Stiga asserts it is the "world's smartest" autonomous lawn mower and the first mower to combine RTK GPS with Stiga's patented Active Guidance System (AGS) technology.