Generac (GNRC) 10-K 26 Feb 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 16, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	GENERAC HOLDINGS INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1,474,735
Trading Symbol	gnrc
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		62,325,716
Entity Public Float			$ 2,189,264,580
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 138,472	$ 67,272
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,805 and $5,642 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	280,002	241,857
Inventories	380,341	349,731
Prepaid expenses and other assets	19,741	24,649
Total current assets	818,556	683,509
Property and equipment, net	230,380	212,793
Customer lists, net	41,064	45,312
Patents, net	39,617	48,061
Other intangible assets, net	2,401	2,925
Tradenames, net	152,683	158,874
Goodwill	721,523	704,640
Deferred income taxes	3,238	3,337
Other assets	10,502	2,233
Total assets	2,019,964	1,861,684
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	20,602	31,198
Accounts payable	233,639	181,519
Accrued wages and employee benefits	27,992	21,189
Other accrued liabilities	105,067	93,068
Current portion of long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations	1,572	14,965
Total current liabilities	388,872	341,939
Long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations	906,548	1,006,758
Deferred income taxes	43,789	17,278
Other long-term liabilities	76,995	61,459
Total liabilities	1,416,204	1,427,434
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	43,929	33,138
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 70,820,173 and 70,261,481 shares issued at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	708	702
Additional paid-in capital	459,816	449,049
Treasury stock, at cost, 8,448,874 and 7,564,874 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	(294,005)	(262,402)
Excess purchase price over predecessor basis	(202,116)	(202,116)
Retained earnings	616,347	456,052
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(21,198)	(40,163)
Stockholders' equity attributable to Generac Holdings, Inc.	559,552	401,122
Noncontrolling interests	279	(10)
Total stockholders’ equity	559,831	401,112
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 2,019,964	$ 1,861,684

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 4,805	$ 5,642
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	70,820,173	70,261,481
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	8,448,874	7,564,874

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Net sales		$ 1,672,445	$ 1,444,453		$ 1,317,299
Costs of goods sold		1,090,328	930,347		857,349
Gross profit		582,117	514,106		459,950
Operating expenses:
Selling and service		171,755	164,607		130,242
Research and development		42,925	37,229		32,922
General and administrative		87,512	74,700		52,947
Amortization of intangibles		28,861	32,953		23,591
Tradename and goodwill impairment	[1]	0	0		40,687
Total operating expenses		331,053	309,489		280,389
Income from operations		251,064	204,617		179,561
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense		(42,667)	(44,568)		(42,843)
Investment income		298	44		123
Loss on extinguishment of debt			(574)	[2]	(4,795)	[2]
Loss on change in contractual interest rate			(2,957)	[3]	(2,381)	[3]
Costs related to acquisition		(777)	(1,082)		(1,195)
Other, net		(3,230)	902		(5,487)
Total other expense, net		(46,376)	(48,235)		(56,578)
Income before provision for income taxes		204,688	156,382		122,983
Provision for income taxes		43,553	57,570		45,236
Net income		161,135	98,812		77,747
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		1,749	24
Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.		$ 159,386	$ 98,788		$ 77,747
Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - basic: (in dollars per share)		$ 2.58	$ 1.51		$ 1.14
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic: (in shares)		62,040,704	64,905,793		68,096,051
Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - diluted: (in dollars per share)		$ 2.56	$ 1.50		$ 1.12
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted: (in shares)		62,642,872	65,382,774		69,200,297
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment		$ 15,191	$ (18,545)		$ (7,624)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives		3,712	535		(965)
Pension liability adjustment		62	322		1,881
Other comprehensive loss		18,965	(17,688)		(6,708)
Total comprehensive income		180,100	81,124		71,039
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		5,549	(973)
Comprehensive income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.		$ 174,551	$ 82,097		$ 71,039
[1]	Represents the 2015 impairment of certain tradenames due to a change in brand strategy to transition and consolidate various brands to the Generac tradename ($36,076) and the impairment of goodwill related to the Ottomotores reporting unit ($4,611).
[2]	Represents the write-off of original issue discount and capitalized debt issuance costs due to voluntary debt prepayments.
[3]	For the year ended December 31, 2016, represents a non-cash loss relating to the continued 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio remaining above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2015, represents a non-cash loss relating to a 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio rising above 3.0 times and expected to remain above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. Following the May 2017 Term Loan amendment, which removed the pricing grid based on leverage ratio achieved, gains or losses on changes in contractual interest rate will no longer be recorded in the statements of comprehensive income. Refer to Note 10, "Credit Agreements," to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the gains and losses on changes in the contractual interest rate.

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Excess Purchase Price over Predecessor Basis [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	69,122,271		(198,312)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 691	$ 434,906	$ (8,341)	$ (202,116)	$ 280,426	$ (15,767)	$ 489,799		$ 489,799
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives						(965)	(965)		(965)	$ (965)
Foreign currency translation adjustment						(7,624)	(7,624)		(7,624)	(7,624)
Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price (in shares)	460,398
Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price	$ 5	(9,626)					(9,621)		(9,621)
Net share settlement of restricted stock awards (in shares)			(65,763)
Net share settlement of restricted stock awards			$ (3,233)				(3,233)		(3,233)
Stock repurchases (in shares)			(3,303,500)
Stock repurchases			$ (99,942)				(99,942)		(99,942)
Excess tax benefits from equity awards		9,559					9,559		9,559
Share-based compensation		8,241					8,241		8,241
Dividends declared		29					29		29
Pension liability adjustment						1,881	1,881		1,881	1,881
Net income					77,747		77,747		77,747	77,747
Redemption value adjustment
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	69,582,669		(3,567,575)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 696	443,109	$ (111,516)	(202,116)	358,173	(22,475)	465,871		465,871
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives						535	535		535	535
Foreign currency translation adjustment						(18,545)	(18,545)	13	(18,532)	(18,545)
Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price (in shares)	678,812
Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price	$ 6	(11,473)					(11,467)		(11,467)
Net share settlement of restricted stock awards (in shares)			(28,593)
Net share settlement of restricted stock awards			$ (949)				(949)		(949)
Stock repurchases (in shares)			(3,968,706)
Stock repurchases			$ (149,937)				(149,937)		(149,937)
Excess tax benefits from equity awards		7,920					7,920		7,920
Share-based compensation		9,493					9,493		9,493
Pension liability adjustment						322	322		322	322
Net income					98,788		98,788	(76)	98,712	98,788
Acquisition of business								53	53
Redemption value adjustment					(909)		(909)		(909)	(909)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	70,261,481		(7,564,874)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 702	449,049	$ (262,402)	(202,116)	456,052	(40,163)	401,122	(10)	401,112	401,122
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives						3,712	3,712		3,712	3,712
Foreign currency translation adjustment						15,191	15,191	(14)	15,177	15,191
Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price (in shares)	558,692
Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price	$ 6	2,686					2,692		2,692
Net share settlement of restricted stock awards (in shares)			(39,500)
Net share settlement of restricted stock awards			$ (1,591)				(1,591)		(1,591)
Stock repurchases (in shares)			(844,500)
Stock repurchases			$ (30,012)				(30,012)		(30,012)
Share-based compensation		10,205					10,205		10,205
Pension liability adjustment						62	62		62	62
Net income					159,386		159,386	119	159,505	159,386
Redemption value adjustment					909		909		909	909
Change in noncontrolling interest share		(2,124)					(2,124)	184	(1,940)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	70,820,173		(8,448,874)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 708	$ 459,816	$ (294,005)	$ (202,116)	$ 616,347	$ (21,198)	$ 559,552	$ 279	$ 559,831	$ 559,552

Consolidated Statements of Sto6

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals) - AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, tax	$ 2,384	$ 341	$ (609)
Pension liability adjustment, tax	$ 21	$ 207	$ 1,176

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Operating activities
Net income		$ 161,135	$ 98,812		$ 77,747
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		23,127	21,465		16,742
Amortization of Intangible Assets		28,861	32,953		23,591
Amortization of original issue discount and deferred financing costs		3,516	3,940		5,429
Tradename and goodwill impairment	[1]	0	0		40,687
Loss on extinguishment of debt			574	[2]	4,795	[2]
Loss on change in contractual interest rate			2,957	[3]	2,381	[3]
Deferred income taxes		21,439	39,347		26,955
Share-based compensation expense	[4]	10,205	9,493		8,241
Other		410	127		540
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		(29,771)	(9,082)		9,610
Inventories		(16,278)	15,514		9,084
Other assets		(14,783)	406		5,063
Accounts payable		42,788	32,908		(27,771)
Accrued wages and employee benefits		6,105	5,196		(5,361)
Other accrued liabilities		27,514	6,719		445
Excess tax benefits from equity awards		(3,152)	(7,920)		(9,559)
Net cash provided by operating activities		261,116	253,409		188,619
Investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		82	1,360		105
Expenditures for property and equipment		(33,261)	(30,467)		(30,651)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		1,257	(61,386)		(73,782)
Deposit paid related to acquisition			(15,329)
Net cash used in investing activities		(31,922)	(105,822)		(104,328)
Financing activities
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		101,991	28,712		26,384
Proceeds from long-term borrowings		3,069			100,000
Repayments of short-term borrowings		(114,874)	(27,755)		(23,149)
Repayments of long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations		(117,475)	(37,627)		(150,826)
Stock repurchases		(30,012)	(149,937)		(99,942)
Payment of debt issuance costs		(3,901)	(4,557)		(2,117)
Cash dividends paid			(76)		(1,436)
Taxes paid related to equity awards		(5,892)	(14,008)		(12,956)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		6,951	1,623
Excess tax benefits from equity awards			7,920		9,559
Net cash used in financing activities		(160,143)	(195,705)		(154,483)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		2,149	(467)		(3,712)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		71,200	(48,585)		(73,904)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		67,272	115,857		189,761
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		138,472	67,272		115,857
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Interest		41,105	42,456		39,524
Income taxes		$ 23,836	$ 8,889		$ 6,087
[1]	Represents the 2015 impairment of certain tradenames due to a change in brand strategy to transition and consolidate various brands to the Generac tradename ($36,076) and the impairment of goodwill related to the Ottomotores reporting unit ($4,611).
[2]	Represents the write-off of original issue discount and capitalized debt issuance costs due to voluntary debt prepayments.
[3]	For the year ended December 31, 2016, represents a non-cash loss relating to the continued 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio remaining above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2015, represents a non-cash loss relating to a 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio rising above 3.0 times and expected to remain above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. Following the May 2017 Term Loan amendment, which removed the pricing grid based on leverage ratio achieved, gains or losses on changes in contractual interest rate will no longer be recorded in the statements of comprehensive income. Refer to Note 10, "Credit Agreements," to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the gains and losses on changes in the contractual interest rate.
[4]	Represents share-based compensation expense to account for stock options, restricted stock and other stock awards over their respective vesting periods.

Note 1 - Description of Busines

Note 1 - Description of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	1. Description of Business Founded in 1959, Generac Holdings Inc. (the Company) is a leading global designer and manufacturer of a wide range of power generation equipment and other engine powered products serving the residential, light-commercial and industrial markets. Generac’s power products are available globally through a broad network of independent dealers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers and equipment rental companies, as well as sold direct to certain end user customers. Over the years, t he Company has executed a number of acquisitions that support its strategic plan (refer to Item 1 10 ● I n August 2013, ● I n November 2013, 2.5MW, ● In September 2014, ● I n October 2014, ● I n August 2015, ● In March 2016, Company acquired a majority ownership interest in PR Industrial S.r.l and its subsidiaries (Pramac). Headquartered in Siena, Italy, Pramac is a leading global manufacturer of stationary, mobile and portable generators primarily sold under the Pramac® brand. Pramac products are sold in over 150 ● In January 2017, of gaseous-engine control systems and accessories, which are sold primarily to European gas-engine manufacturers and to aftermarket customers. While the Motortech acquisition was completed in January 2017, fourth 2016.

Note 2 - Significant Accounting

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	2. Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated in conformity with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany amounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three Concentration of Credit Risk The Company maintains the majority of its domestic cash in one One approximately 7% 9% December 31, 2017 2016, No one 6%, 7% 7%, December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, Accounts Receivable Receivables are recorded at their face value amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company estimates and records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specific identification and historical experience. The Company writes off uncollectible accounts against the allowance for doubtful accounts after all collection efforts have been exhausted. Sales are generally made on an unsecured basis. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined generally using the first first Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are being depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are summarized below (in years). Costs of leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the term of the lease (including renewal option periods) or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Land improvements 8 – 20 Buildings and improvements 10 – 40 Machinery and equipment 3 – 15 Dies and tools 3 – 10 Vehicles 3 – 6 Office equipment and systems 3 – 15 Leasehold improvements 2 – 20 Total depreciation expense was $23,127, $21,465, $16,742 December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over fair value of identifiable net assets acquired from business acquisitions. Goodwill is not if indicators of impairment are present. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually as of October 31 may not not not not not not not Other indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of certain tradenames. The Company tests the carrying value of these tradenames annually as of October 31 may not not The Company performed the required annual impairment tests for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for the fiscal years 201 7, 2016 2015, no 2017 2016 no October 31, 2017 After performing the impairment tests for fiscal year 2015, he Company determined that the fair value of the Ottomotores reporting unit was less than its carrying value, resulting in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge in the fourth 2015 $4,611 second 2015: 2015 3% 15.7% In the fourth 2015, ’s Board of Directors approved a plan to strategically transition and consolidate certain of the Company’s brands acquired in acquisitions to the Generac® tradename. This brand strategy change resulted in a reclassification to a two $36,076 Other than the impairment charges discussed above, the Company found no impairment tests for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for fiscal year 2015. no not Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived asset s (excluding goodwill and indefinite-lived tradenames). Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not Debt Issuance Costs Debt discounts and d irect costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are deferred and recorded as a reduction of outstanding debt and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the terms of the related credit agreements. $ 3,516, $3,939, $5,429 2017, 2016 2015, five 2018 $4,798; 2019 $4,982; 2020 $4,936; 2021 $4,931; 2022 $5,099. Income Taxes The Company is a C Corporation and therefore accounts for income taxes pursuant to the liability method. Accordingly, the current or deferred tax consequences of a transaction are measured by applying the provision of enacted tax laws to determine the amount of taxes payable currently or in future years. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the income tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not not Revenue Recognition Sales, net of estimated returns and allowances, are recognized upon shipment of product to the customer, which is generally when title passes, the Company has no not not The Company provides for certain estimated sales programs, discounts and incentive expenses which are recognized as a reduction of sales. Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net sales, and the related costs are included in cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Advertising and Co-Op Advertising Expenditures for advertising, included in selling and service expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, are expensed as incurred. Total expenditures for advertising were $45,926, $45,488, $39,258 December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, Research and Development The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred. Total expenditures incurred for research and development were $42,925, $37,229, $32,922 December 31, 2017, 2016 2015, Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions Balance sheet amounts for non-U.S. Dollar functional currency businesses are translated into U.S. Dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of the fiscal year. Income and expenses incurred in a foreign currency are translated at the average rates of exchange in effect during the year. The related translation adjustments are made directly to accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of stockholders’ equity, in the consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recognized as incurred in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Fair Value of Financial Instruments ASC 820 10 , Fair Value Measurement , 820 10 three 1 2 3 no The Company believes the carrying amount of its financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, short-term borrowings and ABL facility borrowings), excluding Term Loan borrowings, approximates the fair value of these instruments based upon their short-term nature. The fair value of Term Loan borrowings, which have an aggregate carrying value of $902,959, $903,500 2 December 31, 2017, For the fair value of the assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis, refer to the fair value table in Note 4, 2. 820 10. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities The Company records all derivatives in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging not Share-Based Compensation Share-based compensation expense, including stock options and restricted stock awards, is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the fair value of awards which are expected to vest. The fair value of all share-based awards is estimated on the date of grant. New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, 2014 09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers five 2014 09, 2015 14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 eferral of the Effective Date 2016 08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 2016 10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 g, 2016 12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 Narrow- Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients 2016 20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, 2018. not January 1, 2018 In February 2016, 2016 02, Leases 2019, In August 2016, 2016 15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments 2018, not In January 2017, 2017 04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment 2 not 2020. not In August 2017, 2017 12, Derivatives and Hedging – Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities 2019, In the first 2017, 2016 09, Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting no no 2016 09 not no There are several other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB. Each of these pronouncements, as applicable, has been or will be adopted by the Company. Management does not ’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 - Acquisitions

Note 3 - Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	3. Acquisitions Acquisition of Pramac On March 1, 2016, 65% $60, 250. 150 The 35% $34,253, he noncontrolling interest holder has within its control the right to require the Company to redeem its interest in Pramac. The noncontrolling interest holder has a put option to sell their interests to the Company any time within five first two may five no The redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at the greater of the initial fair value, increased or decreased for the noncontrolling interests ’ share of comprehensive net income (loss), or the estimated redemption value, with any adjustment to the redemption value impacting retained earnings, but not 12, Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 Balance at beginning of perio d $ 33,138 $ - Noncontrolling interest of Prama c 1,540 (1) 34,253 Net incom e 1,631 100 Foreign currency translatio n 8,529 (2,124 ) Redemption value adjustmen t (909 ) 909 Balance at end of perio d $ 43,929 $ 33,138 ( 1 Represents the additional noncontrolling interest of Pramac resulting from a common control transaction between the Generac Mobile Products S.r.l. and Pramac UK Lim ited legal entities. The Company finalized the Pramac purchase price allocation during the first 2017, March 1, 201 6 Accounts receivabl e $ 50,716 Inventorie s 39,889 Property and equipmen t 19,138 Intangible asset s 34,471 Goodwil l 46,775 Other asset s 7,698 Total assets acquire d 198,687 Short-term borrowing s 21,741 Accounts payabl e 40,270 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (including current portion ) 18,599 Other liabilitie s 23,521 Redeemable noncontrolling interes t 34,253 Noncontrolling interes t 53 Net assets acquire d $ 60,250 The goodwill ascribed to this acquisition is not oses. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of Pramac from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2017. Acquisition of CHP On August 1, 2015, the Company acquired CHP for a purchase price, net of cash acquired, of $74,570. The Company finalized the CHP purchase price allocation during the fourth 2015 $75,174 $36,284 not $12,000 December 31, 2017. Pro Forma Information The following unaudited pro forma information of the Company gives effect to these acquisitions as though the transactions had occurred on January 1, 2015. December 31, 2016 2015 $1,473,799 $1,566,459, December 31, 2016 2015 not not January 1, 2015.

Note 4 - Derivative Instruments

Note 4 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	4. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Commodities The Company is exposed to price fluctuations in commodities it uses as raw materials; primarily steel, copper and aluminum; and periodically utilizes commodity derivatives to mitigate the impact of these potential price fluctuations on its financial results and its economic well-being. These derivatives typically have maturities of less than eighteen December 31, 2017 2016, one Because these contracts do not the related gains and losses are recorded in cost of goods sold in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Net pre-tax gains (losses) recognized were $377, $739 1,909 December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, Foreign Currencies The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk as a result of transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. The Company periodically utilizes foreign currency forward purchase and sales contracts to manage the volatility associated with certain foreign currency purchases and sales in the normal course of business. Contracts typically have maturities of twelve December 31, 2017 2016, twenty-eight thirty-eight Because these contracts do not the related gains and losses are recorded in other, net in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Net pre-tax gains (losses) recognized for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 2015 $697, 385 624 Interest Rate Swaps I n October 2013, two May 2014, one 2017, twenty in the consolidated balance sheets. December 31, 2017, 2016 2015 $3,712, $535 965 Fair Value The following table presents the fair value of the Company ’s derivatives: December 31 , 7 December 31, 6 Commodity contracts $ 107 $ 623 Foreign currency contracts 167 (150 ) Interest rate swaps 4,356 (1,739 ) The fair value of the co mmodity and foreign currency contracts are included in prepaid expenses and other assets, and the fair value of the interest rate swaps are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. December 31, 2016. December 31, 2017 2016 $4,703 $1,295,

Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comp

Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	5. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following presents a tabular disclosure of changes in AOCL during the years ended December 31, 2017 2016, Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment s Defined Benefit Pension Pla n Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge s Tota l Beginning Balance – January 1, 2017 $ (28,047 ) $ (11,040 ) $ (1,076 ) $ (40,163 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification s 15,191 (591 ) (1) 3,712 (2) 18,312 Amounts reclassified from AOC L - 653 (3) - 653 Net current-period other comprehensive incom e 15,191 62 3,712 18,965 Ending Balance – December 31, 2017 $ (12,856 ) $ (10,978 ) $ 2,636 $ (21,198 ) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment s Defined Benefit Pension Pla n Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge s Tota l Beginning Balance – January 1, 2016 $ (9,502 ) $ (11,362 ) $ (1,611 ) $ (22,475 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification s (18,545 ) (273 ) (4) 535 (5) (18,283 ) Amounts reclassified from AOC L - 595 (6) - 595 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss ) (18,545 ) 322 535 (17,688 ) Ending Balance – December 31, 2016 $ (28,047 ) $ (11,040 ) $ (1,076 ) $ (40,163 ) ( 1 Represents unrecognized actuarial losses of $( 800 $209, December 31, 2017. 14, ( 2 Represents unrealized gains of $6,096, 2,384 December 31, 2017. ( 3 Represents actuarial losses of $883, 230 December 31, 2017. 14, ( 4 Represents unrecognized actuarial losses of $( 412 $139, December 31, 2016. 14, ( 5 Represents unrealized gains of $876, 341 December 31, 2016. ( 6 Represents actuarial losses of $ 941, 346 December 31, 2016. 14,

Note 6 - Segment Reporting

Note 6 - Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	6. Segment Reporting The Company has two two Net Sale s Year Ended December 31 , Reportable Segment s 201 7 201 6 201 5 Domesti c $ 1,296,578 $ 1,173,559 $ 1,204,589 Internationa l 375,867 270,894 112,710 Tota l $ 1,672,445 $ 1,444,453 $ 1,317,299 The Company's product offerings consist primarily of power generation equipment and other engine powered products geared for varying end customer uses. Residential products and commercial & industrial products are each a similar class of products based on similar power output and end customer. The breakout of net sales by product class between residential, commercial & industrial, and other products is as follows: Net Sale s Year Ended December 31 , Product Classe s 201 7 201 6 201 5 Residential product s $ 870,410 $ 772,436 $ 673,764 Commercial & industrial product s 685,052 557,532 548,440 Othe r 116,983 114,485 95,095 Tota l $ 1,672,445 $ 1,444,453 $ 1,317,299 Management evaluates the performance of its segments based primarily on Adjusted EBITDA before noncontrolling interests, which is reconciled to Income before provision for income taxes below. The computation of Adjusted EBITDA is based on the definition that is contained in the Company’s credit agreements. Adjusted EBITD A Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Domesti c $ 290,720 $ 261,428 $ 254,882 Internationa l 27,010 16,959 15,934 Total adjusted EBITD A $ 317,730 $ 278,387 $ 270,816 Interest expens e (42,667 ) (44,568 ) (42,843 ) Depreciation and amortizatio n (51,988 ) (54,418 ) (40,333 ) Non-cash write-down and other adjustments (1 ) (2,923 ) (357 ) (3,892 ) Non-cash share-based compensation expense (2 ) (10,205 ) (9,493 ) (8,241 ) Tradename and goodwill impairment (3 ) - - (40,687 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt (4 ) - (574 ) (4,795 ) Gain (loss) on change in contractual interest rate (5 ) - (2,957 ) (2,381 ) Transaction costs and credit facility fees (6 ) (2,145 ) (2,442 ) (2,249 ) Business optimization expenses (7 ) (2,912 ) (7,316 ) (1,947 ) Othe r (202 ) 120 (465 ) Income before provision for income taxe s $ 204,688 $ 156,382 $ 122,983 ( 1 Includes gains/losses on disposal of assets, unrealized mark-to-market adjustments on commodity contracts, and certain foreign currency and purchase accounting related adjustments. ( 2 Represents share-based compensation expense to account for stock options, restricted stock and other stock awards over their respective vesting periods. ( 3 Represents the 2015 $36,076 $4,611 ( 4 Represents the write-off of original issue discount and capitalized debt issuance costs due to voluntary debt prepayments. ( 5 For the year ended December 31, 2016, 25 3.0 December 31, 2015, 25 3.0 3.0 2017 no 10, 8 10 ( 6 Represents transaction costs incurred directly in connection with any investment, as defined in our credit agreement; equity issuance, debt issuance or refinancing; together with certain fees relating to our senior secured credit facilities. ( 7 Represents charges relating to business optimization and restructuring costs. The following tables summarize additional financial information by reportable segment: Asset s Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Domesti c $ 1,606,606 $ 1,521,665 $ 1,605,043 Internationa l 413,358 340,019 173,592 Tota l $ 2,019,964 $ 1,861,684 $ 1,778,635 Depreciation and Amortizatio n Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Domesti c $ 37,962 $ 42,346 $ 35,327 Internationa l 14,026 12,072 5,006 Tota l $ 51,988 $ 54,418 $ 40,333 Capital Expenditure s Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Domesti c $ 29,258 $ 26,936 $ 29,368 Internationa l 4,003 3,531 1,283 Tota l $ 33,261 $ 30,467 $ 30,651 The Company ’s sales in the United States represent approximately 74%, 77%, 85% December 31, 2017, 2016 2015, 85% 87% December 31, 2017 2016,

Note 7 - Balance Sheet Details

Note 7 - Balance Sheet Details	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block]	7. Balance Sheet Details Inventories consist of the following: December 31, 201 7 201 6 Raw materia l $ 242,239 $ 218,911 Work-in-proces s 2,544 2,950 Finished good s 135,558 127,870 Tota l $ 380,341 $ 349,731 As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , inventories totaling $6,245 and $10,598 , respectively, were on consignment at customer locations. Property and equipment consists of the following: December 31, 201 7 201 6 Land and improvement s $ 13,118 $ 12,079 Buildings and improvement s 132,072 122,747 Machinery and equipmen t 90,487 81,687 Dies and tool s 24,504 23,269 Vehicle s 1,878 1,474 Office equipment and system s 73,254 66,929 Leasehold improvement s 2,436 2,319 Construction in progres s 18,799 8,654 Gross property and equipmen t 356,548 319,158 Accumulated depreciatio n (126,168 ) (106,365 ) Tota l $ 230,380 $ 212,793

Note 8 - Goodwill and Intangibl

Note 8 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 2016 Domesti c Internationa l Total Balance at December 31, 201 5 $ 621,451 $ 48,268 $ 669,719 Acquisitions of businesses, ne t - 46,202 46,202 Foreign currency translatio n - (11,281 ) (11,281 ) Balance at December 31, 201 6 621,451 83,189 704,640 Acquisitions of businesses, ne t - 5,271 5,271 Foreign currency translatio n - 11,612 11,612 Balance at December 31, 201 7 $ 621,451 $ 100,072 $ 721,523 The detail s of the gross goodwill applicable to each reportable segment at December 31, 2017 2016 Year Ended December 31, 201 7 Year Ended December 31, 201 6 Gros s Accumulated Impairmen t Ne t Gros s Accumulated Impairmen t Ne t Domesti c $ 1,124,644 $ (503,193 ) $ 621,451 $ 1,124,644 $ (503,193 ) $ 621,451 Internationa l 104,683 (4,611 ) 100,072 87,800 (4,611 ) 83,189 Tota l $ 1,229,327 $ (507,804 ) $ 721,523 $ 1,212,444 $ (507,804 ) $ 704,640 Refer to Note 3, 2, 2015 The following table summarizes intangible assets by major category as of Decembe r 31, 2017 2016: Weighted Averag e December 31, 201 7 December 31, 201 6 Amortization Year s Gros s Accumulated Amortizatio n Net Book Valu e Gros s Accumulated Amortizatio n Net Book Valu e Finite-lived intangible assets : Tradename s 9 $ 52,784 $ (28,422 ) $ 24,362 $ 50,742 $ (20,189 ) $ 30,553 Customer list s 10 340,138 (299,074 ) 41,064 333,935 (288,623 ) 45,312 Patent s 14 131,137 (91,520 ) 39,617 130,099 (82,038 ) 48,061 Unpatented technolog y 15 13,169 (11,915 ) 1,254 13,169 (11,771 ) 1,398 Softwar e - 1,046 (1,046 ) - 1,046 (1,046 ) - Non-compete/othe r 8 2,684 (1,537 ) 1,147 2,513 (986 ) 1,527 Total finite-lived intangible asset s $ 540,958 $ (433,514 ) $ 107,444 $ 531,504 $ (404,653 ) $ 126,851 Indefinite-lived tradename s 128,321 - 128,321 128,321 - 128,321 Total intangible asset s $ 669,279 $ (433,514 ) $ 235,765 $ 659,825 $ (404,653 ) $ 255,172 Refer to Note 2, 2015 December 31, 2017 2016. Amortization of intangible assets was $28,861, $32,953 $23,591 2017, 2016 2015, five 2018 $20,566; 2019 $18,828; 2020 $18,737; 2021 $16,927; 2022 $9,671.

Note 9 - Product Warranty Oblig

Note 9 - Product Warranty Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]	9. Product Warranty Obligations The Company records a liability for product warranty obligations at the time of sale to a customer based upon historical warranty experience. The Company also records a liability for specific warranty matters when they become known and are reasonably estimable. Additionally, the Company sells extended warranty coverage for certain products. The sales of extended warranties are recorded as deferred revenue, which is recognized over the life of the contracts following the standard warranty period. The following is a tabular reconciliation of the product warranty liability, excluding the deferred revenue related to our extended warranty coverage: Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Balance at beginning of perio d $ 31,695 $ 30,197 $ 30,909 Product warranty reserve assumed in acquisitio n 43 840 351 Payment s (18,861 ) (18,691 ) (21,686 ) Provision for warranty issue d 21,347 19,148 20,823 Changes in estimates for pre-existing warrantie s 1,198 201 (200 ) Balance at end of perio d $ 35,422 $ 31,695 $ 30,197 The following is a tabular reconciliation of the deferred revenue related to extended warranty coverage : Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Balance at beginning of perio d $ 31,080 $ 28,961 $ 27,193 Deferred revenue contracts assumed in acquisitio n - - 291 Deferred revenue contracts issued (1 ) 27,107 7,733 5,978 Amortization of deferred revenue contract s (7,246 ) (5,614 ) (4,501 ) Balance at end of perio d $ 50,941 $ 31,080 $ 28,961 ( 1 The increase in deferred revenue contracts issued during 2017 Product warranty obligations and extended warranty related deferred revenues are included in the balance sheets as follows: December 31, 201 7 201 6 Product warranty liabilit y Current portion - other accrued liabilitie s $ 20,576 $ 20,763 Long-term portion - other long-term liabilitie s 14,846 10,932 Tota l $ 35,422 $ 31,695 Deferred revenue related to extended warrantie s Current portion - other accrued liabilitie s $ 10,002 $ 6,728 Long-term portion - other long-term liabilitie s 40,939 24,352 Tota l $ 50,941 $ 31,080

Note 10 - Credit Agreements

Note 10 - Credit Agreements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	10. Credit Agreements Short-term borrowings are included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: December 31, 201 7 201 6 ABL facilit y $ - $ - Other lines of credi t 20,602 31,198 Tota l $ 20,602 $ 31,198 Long-term borrowi ngs are included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: December 31, 201 7 201 6 Term loa n $ 929,000 $ 929,000 Original issue discount and deferred financing cost s (26,937 ) (26,677 ) ABL facilit y - 100,000 Capital lease obligatio n 4,690 4,647 Othe r 1,367 14,753 Tota l 908,120 1,021,723 Less: current portion of deb t 936 14,399 Less: current portion of capital lease obligatio n 636 566 Tota l $ 906,548 $ 1,006,758 Maturities of long-term borrowings (before considering original issue discount and deferred financing costs) outstanding at December 31, 2017, 201 8 $ 1,572 201 9 1,078 20 20 599 20 21 614 After 20 21 931,194 Total $ 935,057 The Company’s credit agreements originally provided for a $1,200,000 $300,000 November 2016, May 31, 2020 May 31, 2023. first second 1.75% 2.75%, 0.75%. second 2014, 1.50% 2.50%, 3.00 1.00 Because the Company ’s net debt leverage ratio was above 3.00 1.00 July 1, 2015, 25 third 2015. $2,381 third 2015, 3.00 1.00 As the Company ’s net debt leverage ratio continued to be above 3.00 1.00 July 1, 2016, $2,957 third 2016, 3.00 1.00 I n May 2015, 470 50, Debt Modifications and Extinguishments $1,528 $49 second 2015. In November 2016, May 31, 2020 May 31, 2023. In connection with this amendment and in accordance with ASC 470 50, $4,242 $315 fourth 2016. In May 2017, 1.25% 2.25%. 3.00 1.00 not 0.75% 470 50, $1,432 paid to creditors as deferred financing costs on long-term borrowings and expensed $85 second 2017. In December 2017, which further reduced the applicable margin rates to base rate plus a fixed applicable margin of 1.00% 2.00%. 2017, 3.75 1.00 470 50, $2,346 $38 fourth 2017. As of December 31, 2017, 2.50 1.00 no T he Company’s credit agreements also originally provided for a $150,000 May 31, 2018. first second 1.00% 2.00%, I n May 2015, $150,000 $250,000 May 31, 2018 May 29, 2020, ( $50,000 $100,000, 50 12.5 470 50, $540 2015. I n May 2015, $100,000 fourth 2017, December 31, 2017, $249,650 I n March May 2015, $50,000 $100,000, $4,795 December 31, 2015 November 2016, $25,000, $574 December 31, 2016 As of December 31, 201 7 December 31, 2016, $20,602 $31,198,

Note 11 - Stock Repurchase Prog

Note 11 - Stock Repurchase Program	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Treasury Stock [Text Block]	11. Stock Repurchase Program I n August 2015, $200,000 third 2016. October 2016, $250,000 second may $250,000 24 may may may may December 31, 2017, 2016 2015, 844,500, 3,968,706 3,303,500 $30,012, $149,937 $99,942,

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	12. Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to the common shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, exclusive of restricted shares. Except where the result would be anti-dilutive, diluted earnings per share is calculated by assuming the vesting of unvested restricted stock and the exercise of stock options. The following table reconciles the numerator and the denominator used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share: Year Ended December 31, 201 7 201 6 201 5 Numerato r Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc . $ 159,386 $ 98,788 $ 77,747 Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustmen t 909 (909 ) - Net income attributable to common shareholder s $ 160,295 $ 97,879 $ 77,747 Denominato r Weighted average shares, basi c 62,040,704 64,905,793 68,096,051 Dilutive effect of stock compensation awards (1 ) 602,168 476,981 1,104,246 Diluted share s 62,642,872 65,382,774 69,200,297 Net income attributable to common shareholders per shar e Basi c $ 2.58 $ 1.51 $ 1.14 Dilute d $ 2.56 $ 1.50 $ 1.12 ( 1 Excludes approximately 147,400, 15,800 161,400 December 31, 2017, 2016 2015, 1,000 December 31, 2015,

Note 13 - Income Taxes

Note 13 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	13. Income Taxes The Company ’s provision for income taxes consists of the following: Year Ended December 31, 201 7 201 6 201 5 Current: Federa l $ 15,753 $ 11,717 $ 13,614 State 1,775 2,047 1,966 Foreig n 4,585 4,460 3,588 22,113 18,224 19,168 Deferred: Federa l 17,737 41,264 31,869 State 4,026 3,029 1,387 Foreig n (2,777 ) (5,585 ) (7,326 ) 18,986 38,708 25,930 Change in valuation allowanc e 2,454 638 138 Provision for income taxe s $ 43,553 $ 57,570 $ 45,236 The Company files U.S federal, U.S. state and foreign jurisdiction tax returns that are subject to examination up to the expiration of the statute of limitations. We believe the tax positions taken on our returns would be sustained upon an exam, or where a position is uncertain, adequate reserves have been recorded. As of December 31, 2017 no 2 014. 2007 2016 2012 2016. The Company is currently under examination in multiple jurisdictions and is working to address all matters. While the Compa ny does not may may On December 22, 2017, not 35% 21% one 2026 The SEC staff issued SAB 118, 118 not one 740. 118, 740 ’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 The Company's accounting for the following elements of the Tax Act is incomplete. However, reasonable estimates of certain effects were able to be made and, therefore, provisional adjustments were recorded as follows: Reduction of US federal corporate tax rate: The Tax Act reduces the federal corporate tax rate to 21% January 1, 2018. $28,434 $28,434 December 31, 2017. may not Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax: ’s foreign subsidiaries. To determine the amount of the Transition Tax, the amount of post- 1986 not Cost recovery: While the Company has not 2017 $700 $1,750 $1,050 As the Company completes its analysis of the Tax Act; collects and prepares necessary data; and interprets any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, and other standard-setting bodies; adjustments to the provisional amounts may Global intangible low taxed income (GILTI): Because of the complexity of the new GILTI tax rules, the Company is continuing to evaluate this provision of the Tax Act and the application of ASC 740. 1 2 not no no Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: December 31, 201 7 201 6 Deferred tax assets: Accrued expense s $ 15,138 $ 22,758 Deferred revenu e 8,060 10,645 Inventorie s 7,933 10,159 Pension obligation s 3,795 7,512 Stock-based compensatio n 5,522 7,291 Operating loss and credit carryforward s 23,771 20,927 Othe r 1,064 2,822 Valuation allowanc e (6,817 ) (4,362 ) Total deferred tax asset s 58,466 77,752 Deferred tax liabilitites : Goodwill and intangible assets 70,556 58,133 Depreciation 22,563 25,194 Debt refinancing cost s 5,189 7,193 Prepaid expense s 709 1,173 Total deferred tax liabilitie s 99,017 91,693 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (40,551 ) $ (13,941 ) As of December 31, 201 7 2016, $3,238 $3,337, $43,789 $17,278, One of the Company's subsidiaries, Generac Brazil, has generated net operating losses for multiple years. The realizability of the deferred tax assets associated with these net operating losses is uncertain, therefore a valuation allowance has been recorded since Generac Brazil's acquisition on December 8, 2012 December 31, 2017. In addition, the Company recorded a valuation allowance in the opening balance sheet and as of December 31, 2017 2016 At December 31, 201 7, $13,089 $4,618, 2018 2032. $1,171 Changes in the Company ’s gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, were as follows: December 31, 201 7 201 6 Unrecognized tax benefit, beginning of perio d $ 7,943 $ 7,239 Increase in unrecognized tax benefit for positions take n d 251 704 Statute of limitation expirations (1,072 ) - Unrecognized tax benefit, end of perio d $ 7,122 $ 7,943 The unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31, 2017 2016, As of December 31, 2017, 2016 2015, $131, $272 $174, $220, $425 $363, T he Company does not December 31, 2018. The Tax Act includes a mandatory one unremitted earnings for which no not A reconciliation of the statutory tax rates and the effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 2015 Year Ended December 31, 201 7 201 6 201 5 U.S. statutory rat e 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State taxe s 4.1 4.1 4.1 Research and development credit s (1.4 ) (1.0 ) (2.3 ) Share-based compensation (1 ) (1.4 ) - - Tax Act impac t (13.9 ) - - Other (1.1 ) (1.3 ) - Effective tax rat e 21.3 % 36.8 % 36.8 % ( 1 With the adoption of ASU 2016 09 in the first 2017, 2016 09, 2,

Note 14 - Benefit Plans

Note 14 - Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	14. Benefit Plans Medical and Dental Plan The Company maintains medical and dental benefit plans covering its full-time domestic employees and their dependents. Certain plans are partially or fully self-funded under which participant claims are obligations of the plan. These plans are funded through employer and employee contributions at a level sufficient to pay for the benefits provided by the plan. The Company’s contributions to the plans were $14,992, $15,019, $14,352 December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, The Company ’s foreign subsidiaries participate in government sponsored medical benefit plans. In certain cases, the Company purchases supplemental medical coverage for certain employees at these foreign locations . The expenses related to these plans are not S avings Plan The Company maintains a defined-contribution 401 may 401 January 1, 2009, may 50% first 6% may December 31, 2008. may $3,600, $3,400 $3,000 2017, 2016 2015, Pension Plans The Company has frozen noncontributory salaried and hourly pension plans (Pension Plans) covering certain domestic employees. December 31, 2008. The benefits under the salaried plan are based upon years of service and the participants’ defined final average monthly compensation. The benefits under the hourly plan are based on a unit amount at the date of termination multiplied by the participant’s years of credited service. The Company’s funding policy for the Pension Plans is to contribute amounts at least equal to the minimum annual amount required by applicable regulations. The Company uses a December 31 The accumulated benefit obligation, reconciliation of the changes in projected benefit obligation, changes in plan assets and the funded status of the Pension Plans are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 201 7 201 6 Accumulated benefit obligation at end of period $ 72,631 $ 65,956 Change in projected benefit obligation Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 65,956 $ 63,894 Interest cost 2,688 2,747 Net actuarial loss 6,170 1,363 Benefits paid (2,183 ) (2,048 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of period $ 72,631 $ 65,956 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period $ 46,488 $ 43,985 Actual return on plan assets 8,382 3,820 Company contributions 5,327 731 Benefits paid (2,183 ) (2,048 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of period $ 58,014 $ 46,488 Funded status: accrued pension liability included in other long-term liabilities $ (14,617 ) $ (19,468 ) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss Net a ctuarial loss, net of tax $ (10,978 ) $ (11,040 ) The actuarial loss for the Pension Plans that was amortized from AOCL into net periodic (benefit) cost during 2017 $883. December 31, 2017 $802. The components of net periodic pension cost are as follows: Year E nded December 31, 201 7 201 6 201 5 Interest cost $ 2,688 $ 2,747 $ 2,681 Expected return on plan assets (3,011 ) (2,868 ) (3,041 ) Amortization of net loss 883 941 1,228 Net periodic pension cost $ 560 $ 820 $ 868 Weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations are as follows: December 31, 201 7 201 6 Discount rate – salaried pension plan 3.60 % 4.14 % Discount rate – hourly pension plan 3.62 % 4.16 % Rate of compensation increase (1) n/a n/a ( 1 No December 31, 2008. Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost are as follows: Y ear E nded December 31, 201 7 201 6 201 5 Discount rate 4.14 % 4.39 % 3.99 % Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 6.58 % 6.62 % 6.75 % Rate of compensation increase (1) n/a n/a n/a ( 1 No December 31, 2008 . To determine the long-term rate of return assumption for the plans' assets, the Company studies historical markets and preserves the long-term historical relationships between equities and fixed-income securities consistent with the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. The Company evaluates current market factors such as inflation and interest rates before it determines long-term capital market assumptions and reviews peer data and historical returns to check for reasonableness and appropriateness. The Pension Plans ’ weighted-average asset allocation at December 31, 2017 2016, Target Allocation December 31, 201 7 December 31, 201 6 Asset Category Minimum Maximum Dollars % Dollars % Fixed Income 15.0 % 25.0 % $ 10,637 18 % $ 7,812 17 % Domestic equity 36.5 % 61.5 % 25,151 43 % 19,615 42 % International equity 17.0 % 25.0 % 16,093 28 % 13,466 29 % Real estate 7.0 % 15.0 % 6,133 11 % 5,595 12 % Total $ 58,014 100 % $ 46,488 100 % The fair values of the Pension Plans ’ assets at December 31, 2017 Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical A sset (L evel 1) Significant Observable I nputs (L evel 2) Significant Unobservable I nputs (L evel 3) Mutual fund s $ 48,314 $ 48,314 $ – $ – Other investments 9,700 – – 9,700 Total $ 58,014 $ 48,314 $ – $ 9,700 The fair values of the Pension Pl ans' assets at December 31, 2016 Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical A sset (L evel 1) Significant O b servable Inputs (L evel 2) Significant Unobservable I nputs (L evel 3) Mutual fund s $ 37,860 $ 37,860 $ – $ – Other investment s 8,628 – – 8,628 Total $ 46,488 $ 37,860 $ – $ 8,628 A reconciliation of beg inning and ending balances for Level 3 December 31, 2017 2016 Year Ended December 31, 201 7 201 6 Balance at beginning of period $ 8,628 $ 3,675 Purchases - 4,400 Realized gains 1,072 553 Balance at end of period $ 9,700 $ 8,628 Mutual Funds – This category includes investments in mutual funds that encompass both equity and fixed income securities that are designed to provide a diverse portfolio. The plans' mutual funds are designed to track exchange indices, and invest in diverse industries. Some mutual funds are classified as regulated investment companies. Investment managers have the ability to shift investments from value to growth strategies, from small to large capitalization funds, and from U.S. to international investments. These investments are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded. These investments are classified within Level 1 Other Investments – This category includes investments in limited partnerships and are valued at estimated fair value, as determined with the assistance of each respective limited partnership, based on the net asset value of the investment as of the balance sheet date, which is subject to judgment, and therefore is classified within Level 3 The Company ’s target allocation for equity securities and real estate is generally between 65% 85%, At a minimum, the Company expects to make estimated contributions of $319 2018. The following benefit payments are expected to be paid from the Pension Plans: 201 8 $ 2,445 201 9 2,502 20 20 2,622 20 21 2,760 202 2 2,932 2023 – 2027 16,989 Certain of the Company ’s foreign subsidiaries participate in local statutory defined benefit or other post-employment benefit plans. These plans provide benefits that are generally based on years of credited service and a percentage of the employee’s eligible compensation earned throughout the applicable service period. Liabilities recorded under these plans are included in accrued wages and employee benefits in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and are not

Note 15 - Share Plans

Note 15 - Share Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	15. Share Plans The Company adopted an equity incentive plan (Plan) on February 10, 2010 9.1 $10,205, $9,493 $8,241 December 31, 2017, 2016 2015, Stock Options - Stock options granted in 2017 $40.12 $48.98 2016 $33.23 $35.37 2015 $28.36 $49.70 four ten S tock option exercises can be net-share settled such that the Company withholds shares with value equivalent to the exercise price of the stock option awards plus the employees’ minimum statutory obligation for the applicable income and other employment taxes. Total shares withheld were 9,033, 473,743 272,296 2017, 2016 2015, Employees can also utilize a cashless for cash exercise of stock options, such that all exercised shares will be sold in the market immediately. Cash equivalent to the exercise price of the awards plus the employees ’ minimum statutory tax obligations is remitted to the Company, with the remaining cash being transferred to the employee. Total proceeds from the cashless for cash exercise of stock options were $6,951 $1,623 2017 2016, Total payments made by the Company for the employees ’ tax obligations to the taxing authorities were $4,301, $13,056 $9,768 2017, 2016 2015, The grant-date fair value of each option grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. Use of a valuation model requires management to make certain assumptions with respect to selected model inputs. Expected volatility is calculated based on an analysis of historic and implied volatility measures for a set of peer companies. The average expected life is based on the contractual term of the option using the simplified method. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero 2017, 2016 2015 201 7 201 6 201 5 Weighted average grant date fair value $ 16.84 $ 13.77 $ 19.07 Assumptions: Expected stock price volatility 40 % 41 % 41 % Risk free interest rate 1.92 % 1.31 % 1.72 % Expected annual dividend per share $ - $ - $ - Expected life of options (years) 6.25 6.25 6.25 The Company periodically evaluates its forfeiture rates and updates the rates it uses in the determination of its share-based compensation expense. The impact of the change to the forfeiture rates on shares-based compensation expense was not December 31, 2017, 2016 2015. A summary of the Company ’s stock option activity and related information for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 2015 Number of Option s Weighted- Average Exercise Pric e Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years ) Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($ in thousands ) Outstanding as of December 31, 201 4 2,542,139 $ 9.94 8.5 $ 96,518 Grante d 287,165 45.18 Exercise d (604,088 ) 3.79 Expire d (6,409 ) 50.11 Forfeite d (90,793 ) 37.27 Outstanding as of December 31, 201 5 2,128,014 15.15 7.7 $ 40,271 Grante d 398,313 33.24 Exercise d (995,469 ) 2.89 Forfeite d (47,894 ) 37.41 Outstanding as of December 31, 201 6 1,482,964 27.49 7.5 $ 23,840 Grante d 346,421 40.13 Exercise d (287,375 ) 10.58 Forfeite d (69,880 ) 41.12 Outstanding as of December 31, 201 7 1,472,130 33.11 7.3 $ 25,281 Exercisable as of December 31, 201 7 720,730 26.76 6.1 $ 17,239 As of December 31, 201 7, $8,552 2.5 2017, 2016 2015 $4,503, $4,366 $4,198, Restricted Stock – Restricted stock awards vest in equal installments over three 2014 2017. three may 0% 200% 2015 2015 2017, 2016 2016 2018, 2017 2017 2019. Restricted stock vesting is net-share settled such that , upon vesting, the Company withholds shares with value equivalent to the employees’ minimum statutory obligation for the applicable income and other employment taxes, and then pays the cash to the taxing authorities on behalf of the employees. In effect, the Company repurchases these shares and classifies as treasury stock. Total shares withheld were 39,500, 28,593 65,763 2017, 2016 2015, $1,591, $952 $3,233 2017, 2016 2015, A summary of the Company's restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 2015 Share s Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Valu e Non-vested as of December 31, 201 4 267,284 $ 38.72 Grante d 193,117 41.31 Veste d (183,362 ) 32.56 Forfeite d (33,999 ) 47.77 Non-vested as of December 31, 201 5 243,040 44.16 Grante d 232,295 33.56 Veste d (95,858 ) 41.93 Forfeite d (18,074 ) 38.30 Non-vested as of December 31, 201 6 361,403 38.18 Grante d 211,769 39.91 Veste d (133,796 ) 40.60 Forfeite d (47,100 ) 42.48 Non-vested as of December 31, 201 7 392,276 37.77 As of December 31, 2017, $7,702 1.7 Total share-based compensation cost related to the restricted stock for 2017, 2016 2015 $5,702, $5,127 $4,043, During 201 7, 2016 2015, 34,095, 19,326 16,260 22,762, 19,326 16,260 2017, 2016 2015 $1,133, $670 $615,

Note 16 - Commitments and Conti

Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	16. Commitments and Contingencies The Company leases certain manufacturing and office facilities, machinery and computer equipment, automobiles and warehouse space under operating leases. The approximate aggregate minimum rental commitments at December 31, 2017, 201 8 $ 9,497 201 9 7,786 20 20 7,496 20 21 6,647 202 2 6,633 After 202 2 5,865 Total $ 43,924 Total rent expense for t he years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 2015, $10,845, $9,146, $4,796, The Company has an arrangement with a finance company to provide f loor plan financing for certain dealers. The Company receives payment from the finance company after shipment of product to the dealer. The Company participates in the cost of dealer financing up to certain limits and has agreed to repurchase products repossessed by the finance company, but does not December 31, 2017 2016 $36,500 $33,900, In the normal course of business, the Company is named as a defendant in various lawsuits in which claims are asserted against the Company. In the opinion of management, the liabilities, if any, which may not

Note 17 - Quarterly Financial I

Note 17 - Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	17. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) Quarters Ended 201 7 Q 1 Q 2 Q 3 Q 4 Net sale s $ 331,814 $ 395,376 $ 457,253 $ 488,002 Gross profi t 110,486 134,460 157,469 179,702 Operating incom e 31,845 52,287 72,859 94,073 Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. 12,842 25,660 39,709 81,175 Net income attributable to common shareholders pe r : $ 0.22 $ 0.42 $ 0.64 $ 1.31 Net income attributable to common shareholders pe r : $ 0.21 $ 0.41 $ 0.64 $ 1.30 Quarters Ended 201 6 Q 1 Q 2 Q 3 Q 4 Net sale s $ 286,535 $ 367,376 $ 373,121 $ 417,421 Gross profi t 98,060 124,147 137,772 154,127 Operating incom e 26,964 44,082 56,340 77,231 Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. 10,208 20,888 26,183 41,509 Net income attributable to common shareholders pe r : $ 0.15 $ 0.32 $ 0.41 $ 0.64 Net income attributable to common shareholders pe r : $ 0.15 $ 0.31 $ 0.40 $ 0.64

Note 18 - Valuation and Qualify

Note 18 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	18. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts For t he years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 2015: Balance at Beginning of Yea r Additions Charged to Earning s Charges to Reserve, Net (1 ) Reserves Established for Acquisition s Balance at End of Yea r Year ended December 31, 201 7 Allowance for doubtful account s $ 5,642 $ 346 $ (1,842 ) $ 659 $ 4,805 Reserves for inventor y 13,031 6,164 (4,036 ) 828 15,987 Valuation of deferred tax asset s 4,362 2,455 - - 6,817 Year ended December 31, 201 6 Allowance for doubtful account s $ 2,494 $ 1,654 $ (1,110 ) $ 2,604 $ 5,642 Reserves for inventor y 10,582 5,359 (5,357 ) 2,447 13,031 Valuation of deferred tax asset s 1,523 638 - 2,201 4,362 Year ended December 31, 201 5 Allowance for doubtful account s $ 2,275 $ 481 $ (325 ) $ 63 $ 2,494 Reserves for inventor y 9,387 3,739 (3,158 ) 614 10,582 Valuation of deferred tax asset s 1,385 138 - - 1,523 ( 1 Deductions from the allowance for doubtful accounts equal accounts receivable written off, less recoveries, against the allowance. Deductions from the reserves for inventory excess and obsolete items equal inventory written off against the reserve as items were disposed of.

Note 19 - Subsequent Events

Note 19 - Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	19. Subsequent Events On February 13, 2018, 300 10 2,750

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated in conformity with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany amounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of Credit Risk The Company maintains the majority of its domestic cash in one One approximately 7% 9% December 31, 2017 2016, No one 6%, 7% 7%, December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015,
Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounts Receivable Receivables are recorded at their face value amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company estimates and records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specific identification and historical experience. The Company writes off uncollectible accounts against the allowance for doubtful accounts after all collection efforts have been exhausted. Sales are generally made on an unsecured basis.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined generally using the first first
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are being depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are summarized below (in years). Costs of leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the term of the lease (including renewal option periods) or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Land improvements 8 – 20 Buildings and improvements 10 – 40 Machinery and equipment 3 – 15 Dies and tools 3 – 10 Vehicles 3 – 6 Office equipment and systems 3 – 15 Leasehold improvements 2 – 20 Total depreciation expense was $23,127, $21,465, $16,742 December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015,
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over fair value of identifiable net assets acquired from business acquisitions. Goodwill is not if indicators of impairment are present. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually as of October 31 may not not not not not not not Other indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of certain tradenames. The Company tests the carrying value of these tradenames annually as of October 31 may not not The Company performed the required annual impairment tests for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for the fiscal years 201 7, 2016 2015, no 2017 2016 no October 31, 2017 After performing the impairment tests for fiscal year 2015, he Company determined that the fair value of the Ottomotores reporting unit was less than its carrying value, resulting in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge in the fourth 2015 $4,611 second 2015: 2015 3% 15.7% In the fourth 2015, ’s Board of Directors approved a plan to strategically transition and consolidate certain of the Company’s brands acquired in acquisitions to the Generac® tradename. This brand strategy change resulted in a reclassification to a two $36,076 Other than the impairment charges discussed above, the Company found no impairment tests for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for fiscal year 2015. no not
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived asset s (excluding goodwill and indefinite-lived tradenames). Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not
Debt, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Debt Issuance Costs Debt discounts and d irect costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are deferred and recorded as a reduction of outstanding debt and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the terms of the related credit agreements. $ 3,516, $3,939, $5,429 2017, 2016 2015, five 2018 $4,798; 2019 $4,982; 2020 $4,936; 2021 $4,931; 2022 $5,099.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes The Company is a C Corporation and therefore accounts for income taxes pursuant to the liability method. Accordingly, the current or deferred tax consequences of a transaction are measured by applying the provision of enacted tax laws to determine the amount of taxes payable currently or in future years. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the income tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not not
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition Sales, net of estimated returns and allowances, are recognized upon shipment of product to the customer, which is generally when title passes, the Company has no not not The Company provides for certain estimated sales programs, discounts and incentive expenses which are recognized as a reduction of sales.
Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net sales, and the related costs are included in cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Advertising and Co-Op Advertising Expenditures for advertising, included in selling and service expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, are expensed as incurred. Total expenditures for advertising were $45,926, $45,488, $39,258 December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015,
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research and Development The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred. Total expenditures incurred for research and development were $42,925, $37,229, $32,922 December 31, 2017, 2016 2015,
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions Balance sheet amounts for non-U.S. Dollar functional currency businesses are translated into U.S. Dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of the fiscal year. Income and expenses incurred in a foreign currency are translated at the average rates of exchange in effect during the year. The related translation adjustments are made directly to accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of stockholders’ equity, in the consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recognized as incurred in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments ASC 820 10 , Fair Value Measurement , 820 10 three 1 2 3 no The Company believes the carrying amount of its financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, short-term borrowings and ABL facility borrowings), excluding Term Loan borrowings, approximates the fair value of these instruments based upon their short-term nature. The fair value of Term Loan borrowings, which have an aggregate carrying value of $902,959, $903,500 2 December 31, 2017, For the fair value of the assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis, refer to the fair value table in Note 4, 2. 820 10.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities The Company records all derivatives in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging not
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Share-Based Compensation Share-based compensation expense, including stock options and restricted stock awards, is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the fair value of awards which are expected to vest. The fair value of all share-based awards is estimated on the date of grant.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, 2014 09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers five 2014 09, 2015 14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 eferral of the Effective Date 2016 08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 2016 10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 g, 2016 12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606 Narrow- Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients 2016 20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, 2018. not January 1, 2018 In February 2016, 2016 02, Leases 2019, In August 2016, 2016 15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments 2018, not In January 2017, 2017 04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment 2 not 2020. not In August 2017, 2017 12, Derivatives and Hedging – Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities 2019, In the first 2017, 2016 09, Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting no no 2016 09 not no There are several other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB. Each of these pronouncements, as applicable, has been or will be adopted by the Company. Management does not ’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 - Significant Accounti28

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Property Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives [Table Text Block]	Land improvements 8 – 20 Buildings and improvements 10 – 40 Machinery and equipment 3 – 15 Dies and tools 3 – 10 Vehicles 3 – 6 Office equipment and systems 3 – 15 Leasehold improvements 2 – 20

Note 3 - Acquisitions (Tables)

Note 3 - Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 Balance at beginning of perio d $ 33,138 $ - Noncontrolling interest of Prama c 1,540 (1) 34,253 Net incom e 1,631 100 Foreign currency translatio n 8,529 (2,124 ) Redemption value adjustmen t (909 ) 909 Balance at end of perio d $ 43,929 $ 33,138
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	March 1, 201 6 Accounts receivabl e $ 50,716 Inventorie s 39,889 Property and equipmen t 19,138 Intangible asset s 34,471 Goodwil l 46,775 Other asset s 7,698 Total assets acquire d 198,687 Short-term borrowing s 21,741 Accounts payabl e 40,270 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (including current portion ) 18,599 Other liabilitie s 23,521 Redeemable noncontrolling interes t 34,253 Noncontrolling interes t 53 Net assets acquire d $ 60,250

Note 4 - Derivative Instrumen30

Note 4 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule Of Derivative Assets (Liabilities) at Fair Value [Table Text Block]	December 31 , 7 December 31, 6 Commodity contracts $ 107 $ 623 Foreign currency contracts 167 (150 ) Interest rate swaps 4,356 (1,739 )

Note 5 - Accumulated Other Co31

Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment s Defined Benefit Pension Pla n Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge s Tota l Beginning Balance – January 1, 2017 $ (28,047 ) $ (11,040 ) $ (1,076 ) $ (40,163 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification s 15,191 (591 ) (1) 3,712 (2) 18,312 Amounts reclassified from AOC L - 653 (3) - 653 Net current-period other comprehensive incom e 15,191 62 3,712 18,965 Ending Balance – December 31, 2017 $ (12,856 ) $ (10,978 ) $ 2,636 $ (21,198 ) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment s Defined Benefit Pension Pla n Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge s Tota l Beginning Balance – January 1, 2016 $ (9,502 ) $ (11,362 ) $ (1,611 ) $ (22,475 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification s (18,545 ) (273 ) (4) 535 (5) (18,283 ) Amounts reclassified from AOC L - 595 (6) - 595 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss ) (18,545 ) 322 535 (17,688 ) Ending Balance – December 31, 2016 $ (28,047 ) $ (11,040 ) $ (1,076 ) $ (40,163 )

Note 6 - Segment Reporting (Tab

Note 6 - Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Net Sale s Year Ended December 31 , Reportable Segment s 201 7 201 6 201 5 Domesti c $ 1,296,578 $ 1,173,559 $ 1,204,589 Internationa l 375,867 270,894 112,710 Tota l $ 1,672,445 $ 1,444,453 $ 1,317,299 Adjusted EBITD A Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Domesti c $ 290,720 $ 261,428 $ 254,882 Internationa l 27,010 16,959 15,934 Total adjusted EBITD A $ 317,730 $ 278,387 $ 270,816 Interest expens e (42,667 ) (44,568 ) (42,843 ) Depreciation and amortizatio n (51,988 ) (54,418 ) (40,333 ) Non-cash write-down and other adjustments (1 ) (2,923 ) (357 ) (3,892 ) Non-cash share-based compensation expense (2 ) (10,205 ) (9,493 ) (8,241 ) Tradename and goodwill impairment (3 ) - - (40,687 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt (4 ) - (574 ) (4,795 ) Gain (loss) on change in contractual interest rate (5 ) - (2,957 ) (2,381 ) Transaction costs and credit facility fees (6 ) (2,145 ) (2,442 ) (2,249 ) Business optimization expenses (7 ) (2,912 ) (7,316 ) (1,947 ) Othe r (202 ) 120 (465 ) Income before provision for income taxe s $ 204,688 $ 156,382 $ 122,983 Asset s Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Domesti c $ 1,606,606 $ 1,521,665 $ 1,605,043 Internationa l 413,358 340,019 173,592 Tota l $ 2,019,964 $ 1,861,684 $ 1,778,635 Depreciation and Amortizatio n Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Domesti c $ 37,962 $ 42,346 $ 35,327 Internationa l 14,026 12,072 5,006 Tota l $ 51,988 $ 54,418 $ 40,333 Capital Expenditure s Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Domesti c $ 29,258 $ 26,936 $ 29,368 Internationa l 4,003 3,531 1,283 Tota l $ 33,261 $ 30,467 $ 30,651
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	Net Sale s Year Ended December 31 , Product Classe s 201 7 201 6 201 5 Residential product s $ 870,410 $ 772,436 $ 673,764 Commercial & industrial product s 685,052 557,532 548,440 Othe r 116,983 114,485 95,095 Tota l $ 1,672,445 $ 1,444,453 $ 1,317,299

Note 7 - Balance Sheet Details

Note 7 - Balance Sheet Details (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	December 31, 201 7 201 6 Raw materia l $ 242,239 $ 218,911 Work-in-proces s 2,544 2,950 Finished good s 135,558 127,870 Tota l $ 380,341 $ 349,731
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	December 31, 201 7 201 6 Land and improvement s $ 13,118 $ 12,079 Buildings and improvement s 132,072 122,747 Machinery and equipmen t 90,487 81,687 Dies and tool s 24,504 23,269 Vehicle s 1,878 1,474 Office equipment and system s 73,254 66,929 Leasehold improvement s 2,436 2,319 Construction in progres s 18,799 8,654 Gross property and equipmen t 356,548 319,158 Accumulated depreciatio n (126,168 ) (106,365 ) Tota l $ 230,380 $ 212,793

Note 8 - Goodwill and Intangi34

Note 8 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	Domesti c Internationa l Total Balance at December 31, 201 5 $ 621,451 $ 48,268 $ 669,719 Acquisitions of businesses, ne t - 46,202 46,202 Foreign currency translatio n - (11,281 ) (11,281 ) Balance at December 31, 201 6 621,451 83,189 704,640 Acquisitions of businesses, ne t - 5,271 5,271 Foreign currency translatio n - 11,612 11,612 Balance at December 31, 201 7 $ 621,451 $ 100,072 $ 721,523 Year Ended December 31, 201 7 Year Ended December 31, 201 6 Gros s Accumulated Impairmen t Ne t Gros s Accumulated Impairmen t Ne t Domesti c $ 1,124,644 $ (503,193 ) $ 621,451 $ 1,124,644 $ (503,193 ) $ 621,451 Internationa l 104,683 (4,611 ) 100,072 87,800 (4,611 ) 83,189 Tota l $ 1,229,327 $ (507,804 ) $ 721,523 $ 1,212,444 $ (507,804 ) $ 704,640
Schedule Of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	Weighted Averag e December 31, 201 7 December 31, 201 6 Amortization Year s Gros s Accumulated Amortizatio n Net Book Valu e Gros s Accumulated Amortizatio n Net Book Valu e Finite-lived intangible assets : Tradename s 9 $ 52,784 $ (28,422 ) $ 24,362 $ 50,742 $ (20,189 ) $ 30,553 Customer list s 10 340,138 (299,074 ) 41,064 333,935 (288,623 ) 45,312 Patent s 14 131,137 (91,520 ) 39,617 130,099 (82,038 ) 48,061 Unpatented technolog y 15 13,169 (11,915 ) 1,254 13,169 (11,771 ) 1,398 Softwar e - 1,046 (1,046 ) - 1,046 (1,046 ) - Non-compete/othe r 8 2,684 (1,537 ) 1,147 2,513 (986 ) 1,527 Total finite-lived intangible asset s $ 540,958 $ (433,514 ) $ 107,444 $ 531,504 $ (404,653 ) $ 126,851 Indefinite-lived tradename s 128,321 - 128,321 128,321 - 128,321 Total intangible asset s $ 669,279 $ (433,514 ) $ 235,765 $ 659,825 $ (404,653 ) $ 255,172

Note 9 - Product Warranty Obl35

Note 9 - Product Warranty Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Balance at beginning of perio d $ 31,695 $ 30,197 $ 30,909 Product warranty reserve assumed in acquisitio n 43 840 351 Payment s (18,861 ) (18,691 ) (21,686 ) Provision for warranty issue d 21,347 19,148 20,823 Changes in estimates for pre-existing warrantie s 1,198 201 (200 ) Balance at end of perio d $ 35,422 $ 31,695 $ 30,197 Year Ended December 31 , 201 7 201 6 201 5 Balance at beginning of perio d $ 31,080 $ 28,961 $ 27,193 Deferred revenue contracts assumed in acquisitio n - - 291 Deferred revenue contracts issued (1 ) 27,107 7,733 5,978 Amortization of deferred revenue contract s (7,246 ) (5,614 ) (4,501 ) Balance at end of perio d $ 50,941 $ 31,080 $ 28,961
Product Warranty Obligations Included In Consolidated Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	December 31, 201 7 201 6 Product warranty liabilit y Current portion - other accrued liabilitie s $ 20,576 $ 20,763 Long-term portion - other long-term liabilitie s 14,846 10,932 Tota l $ 35,422 $ 31,695 Deferred revenue related to extended warrantie s Current portion - other accrued liabilitie s $ 10,002 $ 6,728 Long-term portion - other long-term liabilitie s 40,939 24,352 Tota l $ 50,941 $ 31,080

Note 10 - Credit Agreements (Ta

Note 10 - Credit Agreements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Short-term Debt [Table Text Block]	December 31, 201 7 201 6 ABL facilit y $ - $ - Other lines of credi t 20,602 31,198 Tota l $ 20,602 $ 31,198
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	December 31, 201 7 201 6 Term loa n $ 929,000 $ 929,000 Original issue discount and deferred financing cost s (26,937 ) (26,677 ) ABL facilit y - 100,000 Capital lease obligatio n 4,690 4,647 Othe r 1,367 14,753 Tota l 908,120 1,021,723 Less: current portion of deb t 936 14,399 Less: current portion of capital lease obligatio n 636 566 Tota l $ 906,548 $ 1,006,758
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	201 8 $ 1,572 201 9 1,078 20 20 599 20 21 614 After 20 21 931,194 Total $ 935,057

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share (T

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 201 7 201 6 201 5 Numerato r Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc . $ 159,386 $ 98,788 $ 77,747 Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustmen t 909 (909 ) - Net income attributable to common shareholder s $ 160,295 $ 97,879 $ 77,747 Denominato r Weighted average shares, basi c 62,040,704 64,905,793 68,096,051 Dilutive effect of stock compensation awards (1 ) 602,168 476,981 1,104,246 Diluted share s 62,642,872 65,382,774 69,200,297 Net income attributable to common shareholders per shar e Basi c $ 2.58 $ 1.51 $ 1.14 Dilute d $ 2.56 $ 1.50 $ 1.12

Note 13 - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note 13 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 201 7 201 6 201 5 Current: Federa l $ 15,753 $ 11,717 $ 13,614 State 1,775 2,047 1,966 Foreig n 4,585 4,460 3,588 22,113 18,224 19,168 Deferred: Federa l 17,737 41,264 31,869 State 4,026 3,029 1,387 Foreig n (2,777 ) (5,585 ) (7,326 ) 18,986 38,708 25,930 Change in valuation allowanc e 2,454 638 138 Provision for income taxe s $ 43,553 $ 57,570 $ 45,236
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	December 31, 201 7 201 6 Deferred tax assets: Accrued expense s $ 15,138 $ 22,758 Deferred revenu e 8,060 10,645 Inventorie s 7,933 10,159 Pension obligation s 3,795 7,512 Stock-based compensatio n 5,522 7,291 Operating loss and credit carryforward s 23,771 20,927 Othe r 1,064 2,822 Valuation allowanc e (6,817 ) (4,362 ) Total deferred tax asset s 58,466 77,752 Deferred tax liabilitites : Goodwill and intangible assets 70,556 58,133 Depreciation 22,563 25,194 Debt refinancing cost s 5,189 7,193 Prepaid expense s 709 1,173 Total deferred tax liabilitie s 99,017 91,693 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (40,551 ) $ (13,941 )
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	December 31, 201 7 201 6 Unrecognized tax benefit, beginning of perio d $ 7,943 $ 7,239 Increase in unrecognized tax benefit for positions take n d 251 704 Statute of limitation expirations (1,072 ) - Unrecognized tax benefit, end of perio d $ 7,122 $ 7,943
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 201 7 201 6 201 5 U.S. statutory rat e 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State taxe s 4.1 4.1 4.1 Research and development credit s (1.4 ) (1.0 ) (2.3 ) Share-based compensation (1 ) (1.4 ) - - Tax Act impac t (13.9 ) - - Other (1.1 ) (1.3 ) - Effective tax rat e 21.3 % 36.8 % 36.8 %

Note 14 - Benefit Plans (Tables

Note 14 - Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 201 7 201 6 Accumulated benefit obligation at end of period $ 72,631 $ 65,956 Change in projected benefit obligation Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 65,956 $ 63,894 Interest cost 2,688 2,747 Net actuarial loss 6,170 1,363 Benefits paid (2,183 ) (2,048 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of period $ 72,631 $ 65,956 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period $ 46,488 $ 43,985 Actual return on plan assets 8,382 3,820 Company contributions 5,327 731 Benefits paid (2,183 ) (2,048 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of period $ 58,014 $ 46,488 Funded status: accrued pension liability included in other long-term liabilities $ (14,617 ) $ (19,468 ) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss Net a ctuarial loss, net of tax $ (10,978 ) $ (11,040 )
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	Year E nded December 31, 201 7 201 6 201 5 Interest cost $ 2,688 $ 2,747 $ 2,681 Expected return on plan assets (3,011 ) (2,868 ) (3,041 ) Amortization of net loss 883 941 1,228 Net periodic pension cost $ 560 $ 820 $ 868
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	December 31, 201 7 201 6 Discount rate – salaried pension plan 3.60 % 4.14 % Discount rate – hourly pension plan 3.62 % 4.16 % Rate of compensation increase (1) n/a n/a
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	Target Allocation December 31, 201 7 December 31, 201 6 Asset Category Minimum Maximum Dollars % Dollars % Fixed Income 15.0 % 25.0 % $ 10,637 18 % $ 7,812 17 % Domestic equity 36.5 % 61.5 % 25,151 43 % 19,615 42 % International equity 17.0 % 25.0 % 16,093 28 % 13,466 29 % Real estate 7.0 % 15.0 % 6,133 11 % 5,595 12 % Total $ 58,014 100 % $ 46,488 100 %
Schedule of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical A sset (L evel 1) Significant Observable I nputs (L evel 2) Significant Unobservable I nputs (L evel 3) Mutual fund s $ 48,314 $ 48,314 $ – $ – Other investments 9,700 – – 9,700 Total $ 58,014 $ 48,314 $ – $ 9,700 Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical A sset (L evel 1) Significant O b servable Inputs (L evel 2) Significant Unobservable I nputs (L evel 3) Mutual fund s $ 37,860 $ 37,860 $ – $ – Other investment s 8,628 – – 8,628 Total $ 46,488 $ 37,860 $ – $ 8,628
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 201 7 201 6 Balance at beginning of period $ 8,628 $ 3,675 Purchases - 4,400 Realized gains 1,072 553 Balance at end of period $ 9,700 $ 8,628
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	201 8 $ 2,445 201 9 2,502 20 20 2,622 20 21 2,760 202 2 2,932 2023 – 2027 16,989
Net periodic Benefit Costs [Member]
Notes Tables
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	Y ear E nded December 31, 201 7 201 6 201 5 Discount rate 4.14 % 4.39 % 3.99 % Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 6.58 % 6.62 % 6.75 % Rate of compensation increase (1) n/a n/a n/a

Note 15 - Share Plans (Tables)

Note 15 - Share Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	201 7 201 6 201 5 Weighted average grant date fair value $ 16.84 $ 13.77 $ 19.07 Assumptions: Expected stock price volatility 40 % 41 % 41 % Risk free interest rate 1.92 % 1.31 % 1.72 % Expected annual dividend per share $ - $ - $ - Expected life of options (years) 6.25 6.25 6.25
Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	Number of Option s Weighted- Average Exercise Pric e Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years ) Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($ in thousands ) Outstanding as of December 31, 201 4 2,542,139 $ 9.94 8.5 $ 96,518 Grante d 287,165 45.18 Exercise d (604,088 ) 3.79 Expire d (6,409 ) 50.11 Forfeite d (90,793 ) 37.27 Outstanding as of December 31, 201 5 2,128,014 15.15 7.7 $ 40,271 Grante d 398,313 33.24 Exercise d (995,469 ) 2.89 Forfeite d (47,894 ) 37.41 Outstanding as of December 31, 201 6 1,482,964 27.49 7.5 $ 23,840 Grante d 346,421 40.13 Exercise d (287,375 ) 10.58 Forfeite d (69,880 ) 41.12 Outstanding as of December 31, 201 7 1,472,130 33.11 7.3 $ 25,281 Exercisable as of December 31, 201 7 720,730 26.76 6.1 $ 17,239
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]	Share s Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Valu e Non-vested as of December 31, 201 4 267,284 $ 38.72 Grante d 193,117 41.31 Veste d (183,362 ) 32.56 Forfeite d (33,999 ) 47.77 Non-vested as of December 31, 201 5 243,040 44.16 Grante d 232,295 33.56 Veste d (95,858 ) 41.93 Forfeite d (18,074 ) 38.30 Non-vested as of December 31, 201 6 361,403 38.18 Grante d 211,769 39.91 Veste d (133,796 ) 40.60 Forfeite d (47,100 ) 42.48 Non-vested as of December 31, 201 7 392,276 37.77

Note 16 - Commitments and Con41

Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	201 8 $ 9,497 201 9 7,786 20 20 7,496 20 21 6,647 202 2 6,633 After 202 2 5,865 Total $ 43,924

Note 17 - Quarterly Financial42

Note 17 - Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	Quarters Ended 201 7 Q 1 Q 2 Q 3 Q 4 Net sale s $ 331,814 $ 395,376 $ 457,253 $ 488,002 Gross profi t 110,486 134,460 157,469 179,702 Operating incom e 31,845 52,287 72,859 94,073 Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. 12,842 25,660 39,709 81,175 Net income attributable to common shareholders pe r : $ 0.22 $ 0.42 $ 0.64 $ 1.31 Net income attributable to common shareholders pe r : $ 0.21 $ 0.41 $ 0.64 $ 1.30 Quarters Ended 201 6 Q 1 Q 2 Q 3 Q 4 Net sale s $ 286,535 $ 367,376 $ 373,121 $ 417,421 Gross profi t 98,060 124,147 137,772 154,127 Operating incom e 26,964 44,082 56,340 77,231 Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. 10,208 20,888 26,183 41,509 Net income attributable to common shareholders pe r : $ 0.15 $ 0.32 $ 0.41 $ 0.64 Net income attributable to common shareholders pe r : $ 0.15 $ 0.31 $ 0.40 $ 0.64

Note 18 - Valuation and Quali43

Note 18 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Notes Tables
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Table Text Block]	Balance at Beginning of Yea r Additions Charged to Earning s Charges to Reserve, Net (1 ) Reserves Established for Acquisition s Balance at End of Yea r Year ended December 31, 201 7 Allowance for doubtful account s $ 5,642 $ 346 $ (1,842 ) $ 659 $ 4,805 Reserves for inventor y 13,031 6,164 (4,036 ) 828 15,987 Valuation of deferred tax asset s 4,362 2,455 - - 6,817 Year ended December 31, 201 6 Allowance for doubtful account s $ 2,494 $ 1,654 $ (1,110 ) $ 2,604 $ 5,642 Reserves for inventor y 10,582 5,359 (5,357 ) 2,447 13,031 Valuation of deferred tax asset s 1,523 638 - 2,201 4,362 Year ended December 31, 201 5 Allowance for doubtful account s $ 2,275 $ 481 $ (325 ) $ 63 $ 2,494 Reserves for inventor y 9,387 3,739 (3,158 ) 614 10,582 Valuation of deferred tax asset s 1,385 138 - - 1,523

Note 1 - Description of Busin44

Note 1 - Description of Business (Details Textual)	Mar. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017
Pramac [Member]
Number of Countries Where Product is Sold by Subsidiary	150	150

Note 2 - Significant Accounti45

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Depreciation			$ 23,127	$ 21,465	$ 16,742
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	[1]		0	0	$ 40,687
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		$ 4,611
Financial Assumptions Including Sales Growth, Terminal Growth Rate					3.00%
Financial Assumptions Including Sales Growth, Discount Rate					15.70%
Amortization of Financing Costs and Debt Discount Premium			3,516	3,939	$ 5,429
Deferred Costs Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months			4,798
Deferred Costs Amortization Expense, Year Two			4,982
Deferred Costs Amortization Expense, Year Three			4,936
Deferred Costs Amortization Expense, Year Four			4,931
Deferred Costs Amortization Expense, Year Five			5,099
Advertising Expense			45,926	45,488	39,258
Research and Development Expense			42,925	$ 37,229	32,922
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure			903,500
Term Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt			$ 902,959
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		2 years
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 36,076			$ (36,076)
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage			7.00%	9.00%
Number of Major Customers			1	1
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage			6.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Number of Major Customers			0	0	0
[1]	Represents the 2015 impairment of certain tradenames due to a change in brand strategy to transition and consolidate various brands to the Generac tradename ($36,076) and the impairment of goodwill related to the Ottomotores reporting unit ($4,611).

Note 2 - Significant Accounti46

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Land Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	8 years
Land Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	20 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	10 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	40 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	15 years
Dies and Tools [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	3 years
Dies and Tools [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	10 years
Vehicles [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	3 years
Vehicles [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	6 years
Office Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	3 years
Office Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	15 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	2 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives (Year)	20 years

Note 3 - Acquisitions (Details

Note 3 - Acquisitions (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	Mar. 01, 2016USD ($)	Aug. 01, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			$ (1,257)	$ 61,386	$ 73,782
Goodwill			$ 721,523	704,640	669,719
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue				$ 1,473,799	$ 1,566,459
Pramac [Member]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	65.00%
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$ 60,250
Number of Countries Where Product is Sold by Subsidiary	150		150
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	35.00%
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Fair Value	$ 34,253
Noncontrolling Interest, Term of Put Option	5 years
Noncontrolling Interest, Term of Put Option in which Option Price is Fixed	2 years
Goodwill	$ 46,775
CHP [Member]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired		$ 74,570
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Intangible Assets Including Goodwill		75,174
Goodwill		36,284
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed		$ 12,000

Note 3 - Acquisitions - Redeema

Note 3 - Acquisitions - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Redemption value adjustment	$ 909		$ (909)
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at beginning of period	33,138
Noncontrolling interest of Pramac	1,540	[1]	34,253
Net income	1,631		100
Foreign currency translation	8,529		(2,124)
Redemption value adjustment	(909)		909
Balance at end of period	$ 43,929		$ 33,138
[1]	Represents the additional noncontrolling interest of Pramac resulting from a common control transaction between the Generac Mobile Products S.r.l. and Pramac UK Limited legal entities.

Note 3 - Acquisitions - Prelimi

Note 3 - Acquisitions - Preliminary Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill	$ 721,523	$ 704,640		$ 669,719
Pramac [Member]
Accounts receivable			$ 50,716
Inventories			39,889
Property and equipment			19,138
Intangible assets			34,471
Goodwill			46,775
Other assets			7,698
Total assets acquired			198,687
Short-term borrowings			21,741
Accounts payable			40,270
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (including current portion)			18,599
Other liabilities			23,521
Redeemable noncontrolling interest			34,253
Noncontrolling interest			53
Net assets acquired			$ 60,250

Note 4 - Derivative Instrumen50

Note 4 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), Net Fair Value of Derivative Contracts, Excluding Impact of Credit Risk			$ 4,703	$ (1,295)
Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held			1	1
Commodity Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net			$ 377	$ 739	$ (1,909)
Commodity Contract [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative, Remaining Maturity			1 year 180 days
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held			28	38
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other, Net [Member]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net			$ 697	$ (385)	(624)
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative, Remaining Maturity			1 year
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Number of New Contracts Entered	1	2	20
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net			$ 3,712	$ 535	$ (965)

Note 4 - Derivative Instrumen51

Note 4 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Fair Value of Derivatives (Details) - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Commodity Contract [Member]
Fair Value of Derivatives	$ 107	$ 623
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value of Derivatives	167	(150)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value of Derivatives	$ 4,356	$ (1,739)

Note 5 - Accumulated Other Co52

Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	$ (800)	$ (412)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax	(209)	(139)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	883	941
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(230)	(346)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	6,096	876
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax	$ 2,384	$ 341

Note 5 - Accumulated Other Co53

Note 5 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Disclosure of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Beginning Balance	$ (40,163)
Other comprehensive loss	18,965		$ (17,688)		$ (6,708)
Ending Balance	(21,198)		(40,163)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Beginning Balance	(28,047)		(9,502)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	15,191		(18,545)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL
Other comprehensive loss	15,191		(18,545)
Ending Balance	(12,856)		(28,047)		(9,502)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Beginning Balance	(11,040)		(11,362)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(591)	[1]	(273)	[2]
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	653	[3]	595	[4]
Other comprehensive loss	62		322
Ending Balance	(10,978)		(11,040)		(11,362)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Beginning Balance	(1,076)		(1,611)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3,712	[5]	535	[6]
Amounts reclassified from AOCL
Other comprehensive loss	3,712		535
Ending Balance	2,636		(1,076)		(1,611)
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Beginning Balance	(40,163)		(22,475)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	18,312		(18,283)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL	653		595
Other comprehensive loss	18,965		(17,688)
Ending Balance	$ (21,198)		$ (40,163)		$ (22,475)
[1]	Represents unrecognized actuarial losses of $(800), net of tax benefit of $209, included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 2017. Refer to Note 14, "Benefit Plans," to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
[2]	Represents unrecognized actuarial losses of $(412), net of tax benefit of $139, included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 2016. Refer to Note 14, "Benefit Plans," to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
[3]	Represents actuarial losses of $883, net of tax effect of $(230), amortized to net periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 2017. Refer to Note 14, "Benefit Plans," to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
[4]	Represents actuarial losses of $941, net of tax effect of $(346), amortized to net periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 2016. Refer to Note 14, "Benefit Plans," to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
[5]	Represents unrealized gains of $6,096, net of tax effect of $(2,384) for the year ended December 31, 2017.
[6]	Represents unrealized gains of $876, net of tax effect of $(341) for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Note 6 - Segment Reporting (Det

Note 6 - Segment Reporting (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Number of Reportable Segments			2
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 4,611
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | UNITED STATES
Concentration Risk, Percentage			74.00%	77.00%	85.00%
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Net Assets, Geographic Area [Member] | UNITED STATES
Concentration Risk, Percentage			85.00%	87.00%
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase (Decrease)		0.25%		0.25%	0.25%
Net Debt Leverage Ratio Not Achieved				3	3
Ottomotores [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss					$ (4,611)
Trade Names [Member]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 36,076				$ (36,076)

Note 6 - Segment Reporting - Se

Note 6 - Segment Reporting - Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
As reported		$ 488,002	$ 457,253	$ 395,376	$ 331,814	$ 417,421	$ 373,121	$ 367,376	$ 286,535	$ 1,672,445	$ 1,444,453		$ 1,317,299
Total adjusted EBITDA										317,730	278,387		270,816
Interest expense										(42,667)	(44,568)		(42,843)
Depreciation and amortization										(51,988)	(54,418)		(40,333)
Non-cash write-down and other adjustments (1)	[1]									(2,923)	(357)		(3,892)
Non-cash share-based compensation expense (2)	[2]									(10,205)	(9,493)		(8,241)
Tradename and goodwill impairment (3)	[3]									0	0		(40,687)
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt											(574)	[4]	(4,795)	[4]
Gain (loss) on change in contractual interest rate (5)											(2,957)	[5]	(2,381)	[5]
Transaction costs and credit facility fees (6)	[6]									(2,145)	(2,442)		(2,249)
Business optimization expenses (7)	[7]									(2,912)	(7,316)		(1,947)
Other										(202)	120		(465)
Income before provision for income taxes										204,688	156,382		122,983
Assets		2,019,964				1,861,684				2,019,964	1,861,684		1,778,635
Depreciation and Amortization										51,988	54,418		40,333
Capital expenditures										33,261	30,467		30,651
Domestic [Member]
As reported										1,296,578	1,173,559		1,204,589
Total adjusted EBITDA										290,720	261,428		254,882
Depreciation and amortization										(37,962)	(42,346)		(35,327)
Assets		1,606,606				1,521,665				1,606,606	1,521,665		1,605,043
Depreciation and Amortization										37,962	42,346		35,327
Capital expenditures										29,258	26,936		29,368
International [Member]
As reported										375,867	270,894		112,710
Total adjusted EBITDA										27,010	16,959		15,934
Depreciation and amortization										(14,026)	(12,072)		(5,006)
Assets		$ 413,358				$ 340,019				413,358	340,019		173,592
Depreciation and Amortization										14,026	12,072		5,006
Capital expenditures										$ 4,003	$ 3,531		$ 1,283
[1]	Includes gains/losses on disposal of assets, unrealized mark-to-market adjustments on commodity contracts, and certain foreign currency and purchase accounting related adjustments.
[2]	Represents share-based compensation expense to account for stock options, restricted stock and other stock awards over their respective vesting periods.
[3]	Represents the 2015 impairment of certain tradenames due to a change in brand strategy to transition and consolidate various brands to the Generac tradename ($36,076) and the impairment of goodwill related to the Ottomotores reporting unit ($4,611).
[4]	Represents the write-off of original issue discount and capitalized debt issuance costs due to voluntary debt prepayments.
[5]	For the year ended December 31, 2016, represents a non-cash loss relating to the continued 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio remaining above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2015, represents a non-cash loss relating to a 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio rising above 3.0 times and expected to remain above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. Following the May 2017 Term Loan amendment, which removed the pricing grid based on leverage ratio achieved, gains or losses on changes in contractual interest rate will no longer be recorded in the statements of comprehensive income. Refer to Note 10, "Credit Agreements," to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the gains and losses on changes in the contractual interest rate.
[6]	Represents transaction costs incurred directly in connection with any investment, as defined in our credit agreement; equity issuance, debt issuance or refinancing; together with certain fees relating to our senior secured credit facilities.
[7]	Represents charges relating to business optimization and restructuring costs.

Note 6 - Segment Reporting - Ne

Note 6 - Segment Reporting - Net Sales by Products and Services (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net sales	$ 488,002	$ 457,253	$ 395,376	$ 331,814	$ 417,421	$ 373,121	$ 367,376	$ 286,535	$ 1,672,445	$ 1,444,453	$ 1,317,299
Residential Power Products [Member]
Net sales									870,410	772,436	673,764
Commercial and Industrial Power Products [Member]
Net sales									685,052	557,532	548,440
Other Products and Services [Member]
Net sales									$ 116,983	$ 114,485	$ 95,095

Note 7 - Balance Sheet Detail57

Note 7 - Balance Sheet Details (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Inventory, Materials, Supplies and Merchandise under Consignment, Gross	$ 6,245	$ 10,598

Note 7 - Balance Sheet Detail58

Note 7 - Balance Sheet Details - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Raw material	$ 242,239	$ 218,911
Work-in-process	2,544	2,950
Finished goods	135,558	127,870
Total	$ 380,341	$ 349,731

Note 7 - Balance Sheet Detail59

Note 7 - Balance Sheet Details - Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property and equipment, gross	$ 356,548	$ 319,158
Accumulated depreciation	(126,168)	(106,365)
Total	230,380	212,793
Land and Land Improvements [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	13,118	12,079
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	132,072	122,747
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	90,487	81,687
Dies and Tools [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	24,504	23,269
Vehicles [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	1,878	1,474
Office Equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	73,254	66,929
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	2,436	2,319
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 18,799	$ 8,654

Note 8 - Goodwill and Intangi60

Note 8 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 28,861	$ 32,953	$ 23,591
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	20,566
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	18,828
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	18,737
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	16,927
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	$ 9,671

Note 8 - Goodwill and Intangi61

Note 8 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance	$ 704,640	$ 669,719
Acquisitions of businesses, net	5,271	46,202
Foreign currency translation	11,612	(11,281)
Balance	721,523	704,640
Goodwill, gross			$ 1,229,327	$ 1,212,444
Accumulated impairment			(507,804)	(507,804)
Goodwill	704,640	669,719	721,523	704,640
Domestic [Member]
Balance	621,451	621,451
Acquisitions of businesses, net
Foreign currency translation
Balance	621,451	621,451
Goodwill, gross			1,124,644	1,124,644
Accumulated impairment			(503,193)	(503,193)
Goodwill	621,451	621,451	621,451	621,451
International [Member]
Balance	83,189	48,268
Acquisitions of businesses, net	5,271	46,202
Foreign currency translation	11,612	(11,281)
Balance	100,072	83,189
Goodwill, gross			104,683	87,800
Accumulated impairment			(4,611)	(4,611)
Goodwill	$ 83,189	$ 48,268	$ 100,072	$ 83,189

Note 8 - Goodwill and Intangi62

Note 8 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	$ 540,958	$ 531,504
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(433,514)	(404,653)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	107,444	126,851
Indefinite-lived tradenames, gross	128,321	128,321
Total intangible assets, gross	669,279	659,825
Total intangible assets, net	$ 235,765	255,172
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (Year)	9 years
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	$ 52,784	50,742
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(28,422)	(20,189)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 24,362	30,553
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (Year)	10 years
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	$ 340,138	333,935
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(299,074)	(288,623)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 41,064	45,312
Patents [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (Year)	14 years
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	$ 131,137	130,099
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(91,520)	(82,038)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 39,617	48,061
Unpatented Technology [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (Year)	15 years
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	$ 13,169	13,169
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(11,915)	(11,771)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 1,254	1,398
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (Year)
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	$ 1,046	1,046
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(1,046)	(1,046)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life (Year)	8 years
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	$ 2,684	2,513
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(1,537)	(986)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 1,147	$ 1,527

Note 9 - Product Warranty Obl63

Note 9 - Product Warranty Obligations - Reconciliation of Product Warranty Liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Balance at beginning of period		$ 31,695	$ 30,197	$ 30,909
Product warranty reserve assumed in acquisition		43	840	351
Payments		(18,861)	(18,691)	(21,686)
Provision for warranty issued		21,347	19,148	20,823
Changes in estimates for pre-existing warranties		1,198	201	(200)
Balance at end of period		35,422	31,695	30,197
Balance at beginning of period		31,080	28,961	27,193
Deferred revenue contracts assumed in acquisition				291
Deferred revenue contracts issued (1)	[1]	27,107	7,733	5,978
Amortization of deferred revenue contracts		(7,246)	(5,614)	(4,501)
Balance at end of period		$ 50,941	$ 31,080	$ 28,961
[1]	The increase in deferred revenue contracts issued during 2017 was largely due to the launch of a post-sale extended warranty program.

Note 9 - Product Warranty Obl64

Note 9 - Product Warranty Obligations - Deferred Product Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current portion - other accrued liabilities	$ 20,576	$ 20,763
Long-term portion - other long-term liabilities	14,846	10,932
Total	35,422	31,695	$ 30,197	$ 30,909
Current portion - other accrued liabilities	10,002	6,728
Long-term portion - other long-term liabilities	40,939	24,352
Total	$ 50,941	$ 31,080	$ 28,961	$ 27,193

Note 10 - Credit Agreements (De

Note 10 - Credit Agreements (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2016	Jul. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2016USD ($)	May 31, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)		Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2013USD ($)
Net Debt Leverage Ratio Threshold								2.5
Gain Loss on Change in Cash Flows Related to Debt													$ (2,957)	[1]	$ (2,381)	[1]
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt													(574)	[2]	$ (4,795)	[2]
Short-term Debt				$ 20,602				$ 20,602				20,602	$ 31,198
ABL Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						$ 150,000
Uncommitted Incremental Term Loan Facility						50,000
Amended ABL Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						250,000
Uncommitted Incremental Term Loan Facility						$ 100,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate						(0.50%)
Debt Issuance Costs, Net						$ 540
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Decrease In Commitment Fee Percentage						0.125%
Proceeds from Lines of Credit						$ 100,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity				$ 249,650				249,650				$ 249,650
Base Rate [Member] | ABL Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate						1.00%
Adjusted LIBOR Rate [Member] | ABL Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate						2.00%
Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity																		$ 1,200,000
Uncommitted Incremental Term Loan Facility																		$ 300,000
Net Debt Leverage Ratio Threshold				3.75					3	3		3
Net Debt Leverage Ratio Not Achieved													3		3
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase (Decrease)										0.25%			0.25%		0.25%
Gain Loss on Change in Cash Flows Related to Debt									$ (2,957)	$ (2,381)
Debt Issuance Costs, Net				$ 2,346	$ 4,242	$ 1,528		2,346				$ 2,346					$ 1,432
Debt Instrument, Fee Amount				$ 38	315	49		$ 38				$ 38					$ 85
Repayments of Long-term Debt					$ 25,000	$ 100,000	$ 50,000
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt													$ (574)		$ (4,795)
Term Loan [Member] | Net Debt Leverage Ratio Threshold Not Achieved [Member]
Net Debt Leverage Ratio Not Achieved		3	3
Term Loan [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%										1.25%	1.00%
Term Loan [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Net Debt Leverage Ratio Threshold [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Term Loan [Member] | Adjusted LIBOR Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.75%										2.25%	2.00%
Term Loan [Member] | Adjusted LIBOR Rate [Member] | Net Debt Leverage Ratio Threshold [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.50%
Term Loan [Member] | LIBOR Floor Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.75%										0.75%
[1]	For the year ended December 31, 2016, represents a non-cash loss relating to the continued 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio remaining above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2015, represents a non-cash loss relating to a 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio rising above 3.0 times and expected to remain above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. Following the May 2017 Term Loan amendment, which removed the pricing grid based on leverage ratio achieved, gains or losses on changes in contractual interest rate will no longer be recorded in the statements of comprehensive income. Refer to Note 10, "Credit Agreements," to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the gains and losses on changes in the contractual interest rate.
[2]	Represents the write-off of original issue discount and capitalized debt issuance costs due to voluntary debt prepayments.

Note 10 - Credit Agreements - S

Note 10 - Credit Agreements - Short-term Borrowings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Short-term borrowings	$ 20,602	$ 31,198
ABL Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Other Lines of Credit [Member]
Short-term borrowings	$ 20,602	$ 31,198

Note 10 - Credit Agreements - L

Note 10 - Credit Agreements - Long-term Borrowings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Term loan	$ 929,000	$ 929,000
Original issue discount and deferred financing costs	(26,937)	(26,677)
ABL facility		100,000
Capital lease obligation	4,690	4,647
Other	1,367	14,753
Total	908,120	1,021,723
Less: current portion of debt	936	14,399
Less: current portion of capital lease obligation	636	566
Total	$ 906,548	$ 1,006,758

Note 10 - Credit Agreements - M

Note 10 - Credit Agreements - Maturities of Long-term Borrowings Outstanding (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
2,018	$ 1,572
2,019	1,078
2,020	599
2,021	614
After 2,021	931,194
Total	$ 935,057

Note 11 - Stock Repurchase Pr69

Note 11 - Stock Repurchase Program (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$ 250,000				$ 200,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Period in Force	2 years
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock		$ 30,012	$ 149,937	$ 99,942
Treasury Stock [Member]
Shares Acquired Under Stock Repurchases Program, Shares		844,500	3,968,706	3,303,500

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share (D

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share (Details Textual) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	147,400	15,800	161,400
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount			1,000

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share -

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.		$ 81,175	$ 39,709	$ 25,660	$ 12,842	$ 41,509	$ 26,183	$ 20,888	$ 10,208	$ 159,386	$ 98,788	$ 77,747
Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment										909	(909)
Net income attributable to common shareholders										$ 160,295	$ 97,879	$ 77,747
Weighted average shares, basic (in shares)										62,040,704	64,905,793	68,096,051
Dilutive effect of stock compensation awards (in shares)	[1]									602,168	476,981	1,104,246
Diluted shares (in shares)										62,642,872	65,382,774	69,200,297
Basic (in dollars per share)		$ 1.31	$ 0.64	$ 0.42	$ 0.22	$ 0.64	$ 0.41	$ 0.32	$ 0.15	$ 2.58	$ 1.51	$ 1.14
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 1.30	$ 0.64	$ 0.41	$ 0.21	$ 0.64	$ 0.40	$ 0.31	$ 0.15	$ 2.56	$ 1.50	$ 1.12
[1]	Excludes approximately 147,400, 15,800 and 161,400 stock options for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, as the impact of such awards was anti-dilutive. Excludes approximately 1,000 shares of restricted stock for the year ended December 31, 2015, as the impact of such awards was anti-dilutive.

Note 13 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 13 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent		35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability		$ (28,434)
Adjustment to Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		(28,434)
Provisional Expense (Benefit)		(700)
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable		(1,750)
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Tax Liabilities		1,050
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent		3,238	$ 3,337
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent		43,789	17,278
Tax Credit Carry Forward State Research and Development		13,089
Tax Credit Carryforward State Manufacturing		4,618
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance		6,817	4,362
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense		131	272	$ 174
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Expense		220	$ 425	$ 363
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance		$ 1,171
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	21.00%

Note 13 - Income Taxes - Provis

Note 13 - Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Federal	$ 15,753	$ 11,717	$ 13,614
State	1,775	2,047	1,966
Foreign	4,585	4,460	3,588
Current	22,113	18,224	19,168
Federal	17,737	41,264	31,869
State	4,026	3,029	1,387
Foreign	(2,777)	(5,585)	(7,326)
Deferred	18,986	38,708	25,930
Change in valuation allowance	2,454	638	138
Provision for income taxes	$ 43,553	$ 57,570	$ 45,236

Note 13 - Income Taxes - Compon

Note 13 - Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accrued expenses	$ 15,138	$ 22,758
Deferred revenue	8,060	10,645
Inventories	7,933	10,159
Pension obligations	3,795	7,512
Stock-based compensation	5,522	7,291
Operating loss and credit carryforwards	23,771	20,927
Other	1,064	2,822
Valuation allowance	(6,817)	(4,362)
Total deferred tax assets	58,466	77,752
Goodwill and intangible assets	70,556	58,133
Depreciation	22,563	25,194
Debt refinancing costs	5,189	7,193
Prepaid expenses	709	1,173
Total deferred tax liabilities	99,017	91,693
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (40,551)	$ (13,941)

Note 13 - Income Taxes - Unreco

Note 13 - Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Unrecognized tax benefit, beginning of period	$ 7,943	$ 7,239
Increase in unrecognized tax benefit for positions taken in current period	251	704
Statute of limitation expirations	(1,072)
Unrecognized tax benefit, end of period	$ 7,122	$ 7,943

Note 13 - Income Taxes - Reconc

Note 13 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory and Effective Tax Rates (Details)		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
U.S. statutory rate		35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State taxes		4.10%	4.10%	4.10%
Research and development credits		(1.40%)	(1.00%)	(2.30%)
Share-based compensation (1)	[1]	(1.40%)
Tax Act impact		(13.90%)
Other		(1.10%)	(1.30%)
Effective tax rate		21.30%	36.80%	36.80%
[1]	With the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017, excess tax benefits from equity awards are reflected within the provision for income taxes rather than within the consolidated balance sheet. For further information on the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-09, refer to Note 2, "Significant Accounting Policies - New Accounting Pronouncements" to the consolidated financial statements.

Note 14 - Benefit Plans (Detail

Note 14 - Benefit Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Employer Contribution under Medical and Dental Plan	$ 14,992	$ 15,019	$ 14,352
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss)	$ (883)	(941)	(1,228)
Equity and Real Estate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	65.00%
Equity and Real Estate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage	85.00%
Savings Plan 401(k) [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	50.00%
Defined Contribution Plan Percentage of Eligible Compensation	6.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost	$ 3,600	$ 3,400	$ 3,000
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss)	(883)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization, Next Fiscal Year	802
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year	$ 319

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Accum

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Accumulated Benefit Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of period	$ 72,631	$ 65,956
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period	65,956	63,894
Interest cost	2,688	2,747	$ 2,681
Net actuarial loss	6,170	1,363
Benefits paid	(2,183)	(2,048)
Projected benefit obligation at end of period	72,631	65,956	63,894
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	46,488	43,985
Actual return on plan assets	8,382	3,820
Company contributions	5,327	731
Benefits paid	(2,183)	(2,048)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period	58,014	46,488	$ 43,985
Funded status: accrued pension liability included in other long-term liabilities	(14,617)	(19,468)
Net actuarial loss, net of tax	$ (10,978)	$ (11,040)

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Compo

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Interest cost	$ 2,688	$ 2,747	$ 2,681
Expected return on plan assets	(3,011)	(2,868)	(3,041)
Amortization of net loss	883	941	1,228
Net periodic pension cost	$ 560	$ 820	$ 868

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Weigh

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Weighted-average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations (Details)		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Rate of compensation increase (1)	[1]
Pension Plan [Member]
Discount rate - pension plan		3.60%	4.14%
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Discount rate - pension plan		3.62%	4.16%
[1]	No compensation increase was assumed as the plans were frozen effective December 31, 2008.

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Wei81

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Weighted-average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Pension (Benefit) Cost (Details)		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Discount rate		4.14%	4.39%	3.99%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		6.58%	6.62%	6.75%
Rate of compensation increase (1)	[1]
[1]	No compensation increase was assumed as the plans were frozen effective December 31, 2008.

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Wei82

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Weighted-average Asset Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	$ 58,014	$ 46,488	$ 43,985
Asset Category, Percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	$ 10,637	$ 7,812
Asset Category, Percentage	18.00%	17.00%
Domestic Equity [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	$ 25,151	$ 19,615
Asset Category, Percentage	43.00%	42.00%
International Equity [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	$ 16,093	$ 13,466
Asset Category, Percentage	28.00%	29.00%
Real Estate [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	$ 6,133	$ 5,595
Asset Category, Percentage	11.00%	12.00%
Minimum [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Asset Category, Target	15.00%
Minimum [Member] | Domestic Equity [Member]
Asset Category, Target	36.50%
Minimum [Member] | International Equity [Member]
Asset Category, Target	17.00%
Minimum [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Asset Category, Target	7.00%
Maximum [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Asset Category, Target	25.00%
Maximum [Member] | Domestic Equity [Member]
Asset Category, Target	61.50%
Maximum [Member] | International Equity [Member]
Asset Category, Target	25.00%
Maximum [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Asset Category, Target	15.00%

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Fair

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Fair Value of Pension Plan's Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	$ 58,014	$ 46,488	$ 43,985
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	48,314	37,860
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	9,700	8,628
Mutual Fund [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	48,314	37,860
Mutual Fund [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	48,314	37,860
Mutual Fund [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets
Other Investment [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	9,700	8,628
Other Investment [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets
Other Investment [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair values of the Pension Plan's assets	$ 9,700	$ 8,628

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Recon

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Reconciliation of Level 3 Assets (Details) - Other Investment [Member] - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance at beginning of period	$ 8,628	$ 3,675
Purchases		4,400
Realized gains	1,072	553
Balance at end of period	$ 9,700	$ 8,628

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Expec

Note 14 - Benefit Plans - Expected Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
2,018	$ 2,445
2,019	2,502
2,020	2,622
2,021	2,760
2,022	2,932
2023 – 2027	$ 16,989

Note 15 - Share Plans (Details

Note 15 - Share Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			48 Months Ended	72 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 10, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized						9,100,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 10,205	$ 9,493	$ 8,241
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 40.13	$ 33.24	$ 45.18
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	$ 6,951	$ 1,623
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	$ 5,892	$ 14,008	$ 12,956
Board of Directors Chairman [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Shares Issued	34,095	19,326	16,260
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Shares Vested	22,762	19,326	16,260
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Compensation Expense	$ 1,133	$ 670	$ 615
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 4,503	$ 4,366	$ 4,198
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation	9,033	473,743	272,296
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	$ 6,951	$ 1,623
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	4,301	13,056	$ 9,768
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 8,552			$ 8,552	$ 8,552
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	2 years 182 days
Restricted Stock [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 5,702	$ 5,127	$ 4,043
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period					3 years
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation	39,500	28,593	65,763
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	$ 1,591	$ 952	$ 3,233
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 7,702			$ 7,702	$ 7,702
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 255 days
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Performance Measurement, Period				3 years
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 40.12	$ 33.23	$ 28.36
Performance Share Award, Percentage	0.00%			0.00%	0.00%
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 48.98	$ 35.37	$ 49.70
Performance Share Award, Percentage	200.00%			200.00%	200.00%

Note 15 - Share Plans - Weighte

Note 15 - Share Plans - Weighted-average Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing Model (Details) - Employee Stock Option [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 16.84	$ 13.77	$ 19.07
Expected stock price volatility	40.00%	41.00%	41.00%
Risk free interest rate	1.92%	1.31%	1.72%
Expected annual dividend per share (in dollars per share)
Expected life of options (years) (Year)	6 years 91 days	6 years 91 days	6 years 91 days

Note 15 - Share Plans - Summary

Note 15 - Share Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Outstanding, number of options (in shares)	1,482,964	2,128,014	2,542,139
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 27.49	$ 15.15	$ 9.94
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term (Year)	7 years 109 days	7 years 182 days	7 years 255 days	8 years 182 days
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 25,281	$ 23,840	$ 40,271	$ 96,518
Granted, number of options (in shares)	346,421	398,313	287,165
Granted, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 40.13	$ 33.24	$ 45.18
Exercised, number of options (in shares)	(287,375)	(995,469)	(604,088)
Exercised, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 10.58	$ 2.89	$ 3.79
Expired, number of options (in shares)			(6,409)
Expired, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)			$ 50.11
Forfeited, number of options (in shares)	(69,880)	(47,894)	(90,793)
Forfeited, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 41.12	$ 37.41	$ 37.27
Outstanding, number of options (in shares)	1,472,130	1,482,964	2,128,014	2,542,139
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 33.11	$ 27.49	$ 15.15	$ 9.94
Exercisable, number of options (in shares)	720,730
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 26.76
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term (Year)	6 years 36 days
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 17,239

Note 15 - Share Plans - Summa89

Note 15 - Share Plans - Summary of Restricted Share Awards Activity (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Non-vested (in shares)	361,403	243,040	267,284
Non-vested (in dollars per share)	$ 38.18	$ 44.16	$ 38.72
Granted (in shares)	211,769	232,295	193,117
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 39.91	$ 33.56	$ 41.31
Vested (in shares)	(133,796)	(95,858)	(183,362)
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 40.60	$ 41.93	$ 32.56
Forfeited (in shares)	(47,100)	(18,074)	(33,999)
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 42.48	$ 38.30	$ 47.77
Non-vested (in shares)	392,276	361,403	243,040
Non-vested (in dollars per share)	$ 37.77	$ 38.18	$ 44.16

Note 16 - Commitments and Con90

Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	$ 10,845	$ 9,146	$ 4,796
Amount Financed by Dealers	$ 36,500	$ 33,900

Note 16 - Commitments and Con91

Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies - Minimum Rental Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
2,018	$ 9,497
2,019	7,786
2,020	7,496
2,021	6,647
2,022	6,633
After 2,022	5,865
Total	$ 43,924

Note 17 - Quarterly Financial92

Note 17 - Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net sales	$ 488,002	$ 457,253	$ 395,376	$ 331,814	$ 417,421	$ 373,121	$ 367,376	$ 286,535	$ 1,672,445	$ 1,444,453	$ 1,317,299
Gross profit	179,702	157,469	134,460	110,486	154,127	137,772	124,147	98,060	582,117	514,106	459,950
Operating income	94,073	72,859	52,287	31,845	77,231	56,340	44,082	26,964	251,064	204,617	179,561
Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.	$ 81,175	$ 39,709	$ 25,660	$ 12,842	$ 41,509	$ 26,183	$ 20,888	$ 10,208	$ 159,386	$ 98,788	$ 77,747
Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - basic: (in dollars per share)	$ 1.31	$ 0.64	$ 0.42	$ 0.22	$ 0.64	$ 0.41	$ 0.32	$ 0.15	$ 2.58	$ 1.51	$ 1.14
Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - diluted: (in dollars per share)	$ 1.30	$ 0.64	$ 0.41	$ 0.21	$ 0.64	$ 0.40	$ 0.31	$ 0.15	$ 2.56	$ 1.50	$ 1.12

Note 18 - Valuation and Quali93

Note 18 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Balance at Beginning of Year		$ 5,642	$ 2,494	$ 2,275
Additions Charged to Earnings		346	1,654	481
Charges to Reserve, Net	[1]	(1,842)	(1,110)	(325)
Reserves Assumed in Acquisition		659	2,604	63
Balance at End of Year		4,805	5,642	2,494
Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]
Balance at Beginning of Year		13,031	10,582	9,387
Additions Charged to Earnings		6,164	5,359	3,739
Charges to Reserve, Net	[1]	(4,036)	(5,357)	(3,158)
Reserves Assumed in Acquisition		828	2,447	614
Balance at End of Year		15,987	13,031	10,582
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Balance at Beginning of Year		4,362	1,523	1,385
Additions Charged to Earnings		2,455	638	138
Charges to Reserve, Net	[1]
Reserves Assumed in Acquisition			2,201
Balance at End of Year		$ 6,817	$ 4,362	$ 1,523
[1]	Deductions from the allowance for doubtful accounts equal accounts receivable written off, less recoveries, against the allowance. Deductions from the reserves for inventory excess and obsolete items equal inventory written off against the reserve as items were disposed of.