Murray, Ky.—Briggs and Stratton has announced that after over 30 years in Murray, their facility there will be closing by the Fall of 2020.
Officials with the Murray-Calloway Economic Development Corporation said around 600 full-time positions will be affected. The closure will have a major economic impact in the local area, with millions of dollars in lost wages.
A large majority of employees of the facility come from Calloway County, but many also come from Henry County, Tenn., and Graves and Marshall Counties in Kentucky.
In their announcement released this morning, Briggs and Stratton officials said they plan to consolidate production of its small vertical-shaft engines into its Poplar Bluff, Mo., facility.
They said the closure is intended to align production capacity with current and expected future market needs.
Briggs and Stratton President and CEO Todd Teske said of the Murray closure, “Our residential engine business continues to be core to our company as we make progress on diversifying our business by growing our commercial presence. This production consolidation is important for the long-term health of this operation and will allow for better utilization of our assets by freeing up resources that we can use on growth areas within our company. Our team in Murray has done great things over the three decades since the plant was established. We are grateful for their work and the support we have received from the local community and Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
Impacted employees will have the opportunity to relocate to another facility. The Poplar Bluff plant will be hiring to accommodate the increased production being added to that facility, in addition to the hiring taking place within the Company’s commercial businesses.
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