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November 23, 1874| | Frederick Daniel Kees founds F.D. Kees, making husking hooks and pegs, Calf weaners, sash and screen hangers (and a host of other products).
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1880| | F.D. Kees begins manufacturing glower stands and window brackets. Later washing machines, butter churns and domestic sewing machines are added.
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1910| | F.D. Kees moved to its first manufacturing plant at the intersection of First and High Streets in Beatrice Nebraska.
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1910-1920| | Product line expands to include electrical meter boxes, transformer housings, and Postoscopes for projecting artwork. Ice skates and roller skates are produced under the Brownie Trademark, for export to Holland and the Scandinavian countries.
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October 1927| | Fred D. Kees passes away at the age of 76 and his son John takes over F.D. Kees.
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1933| | The Kees roller and ice skate interests were sold to the Chicago Roller Skate Company. |
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1935| | Kerr Tire & Rubber of Jackson, Mississippi is founded by two brothers, J.A. & O.H. Kerr.
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1939| | F.D. Kees manufactures field kitchens and radio equipment for the American Armed Forces.
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1945| | The Kerrs buy a concept high-wheel mower from a retired welder and create Yazoo Manufacturing Company. They relocate to 3650 Bay Street in Jackson, MS.
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1947| | John Kees sells F.D. Kees Manufacturing Company to George J. Schaefer and his neighbor, Frank Stangler. The new owners move into a new plant located at 700 Park Street in Beatrice, NE.
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1949| | The first Kees Power Rake (dethatcher) was introduced.
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1959| | Yazoo Manufacturing Co. pioneered the first Out-Front rotary riding mower, the YR-60 (Yazoo Rider - 60 inch). It is a 3-wheel rider, with a 60 inch cut and a 12.5 hp Wisconsin single cylinder engine.
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1960 to 1963| | The YR-32, YR-36, YR-42, YR-48 & YR-76 are added to the Yazoo line, creating an impressive range of rider for the smallest to the largest jobs.
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1963| | Frank Stangler retires and sells his interest in F.D. Kees to his partner, George J. Schaefer. |
| | George J. Schaefer adds the line of Kees Lawn and Garden Equipment including The Kees Krawlerฎ a self-propelled sprinkler, and The Kees Garden Tool Set featuring one-piece construction with each tool being formed from a single piece of heavy-duty steel.
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1969| | The Kees Kaster is introduced, a broadcast seeder that deliveres up to five times the coverage of conventional spreaders.
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1972| | The Kees Kompak (Chipper-shredder), Power Blow (Blower) and Power Vac (Turf/pavement Vacuum) are introduced.
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1976| | F.D. Kees enters the commercial mower market with a 21 inch steel deck mower. This unit was side-discharge, came complete with a grass collector, and was loved by the rental market.
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1977| | The 36 inch and 48 inch intermediate walk behind mowers are introduced and establish the Kees brand as a leader in the market.
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1980| | J.A. Kerr's widow sells Yazoo Manufacturing to Robert Herrin, a partner in H & H Corporation with Leon Hess.
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1983| | The Yazoo front-cut riders change from clutch driven transmissions to Hydrostatic transmissions and the old engine range of 6-18.5hp is increased to 16-23hp engines.
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1986| | Kees creates its first 60 inch rider by adding a two point hitch and a sulky.
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1987| | Snapper purchases F.D. Kees from the Schaefer family as a means of entering the commercial market.
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1991| | Snapper sells F.D. Kees back to the Schaefer family. Robert Herrin passes away and H & H Corporation takes over running Yazoo Manufacturing Co.
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1992| | The first gear drive walk-behind is added to the Kees line. It is a 36 inch 12hp unit with a Peerless 700 transmission.
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1994| | The first Hydro mowers are added to the F.D Kees line and acceptance is great.
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May 1997| | Yazoo Manufacturing is purchased from H & H Corp. by a group of investors, and the name is changed to Yazoo Power Equipment.
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November 1997| | Yazoo Power Equipment purchases F.D. Kees and the company is again renamed as Yazoo / Kees Power Equipment.
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October 1999| | Swedish based Husqvarna purchases Yazoo/Kees Power Equipment, establishes Husqvarna Turf Care Company to which Yazoo/ Kees belongs, and names Anders Berggren President. |
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August 2000| | Husqvarna Turf Care Company acquires BlueBird International of Denver, CO to expand their commercial product offering into the 'Turf Maintenance' area.
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February 2001| | Yazoo/Kees has second expansion of the Beatrice, NE factory is completed, adding nearly 70,000 sq. feet to the plant.
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November 2001| | Yazoo/Kees introduces new MAX2 ZTH mower line as well as updated versions of the compact Mini-Max, Kutter, and Kutter Hydro mowers.
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June 2002| | BlueBird International moves all operations to Beatrice to join its sister company, Yazoo/Kees.
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November 2002| | Yazoo/Kees introduces the Mega-Max and Floating Deck Kutter Hydro models.
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January 2004| | Henric Andersson replaces Anders Berggren as President of Husqvarna Turf Care.
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April 2005| | Yazoo/Kees moves into new 274,000 manufacturing facility in Beatrice, Nebraska.
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| | Yazoo/Kees launches new website.
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December 2005| | Yazoo/Kees introduces the Esteem series of zero-turn mowers, designed for large residential or estate owners. |
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