WAUWATOSA, Wis. — Briggs & Stratton has ceased production at its Wauwatosa plant, resulting in 160 layoffs, TMJ4 News has confirmed.
The company announced it was eliminating its tractor and snow-thrower production in Wauwatosa back in the fall of 2022. At the time, Briggs & Stratton retained most of its employees by placing them in other positions.
This week, the company informed the United Steelworkers Union, which represents the Wauwatosa employees, that it would be relocating engine-component production to Auburn, Alabama, and air-cooled home standby generator production to Bluff, Missouri.
Executives told the union that 160 layoffs are expected, due to the Wauwatosa plant losing money.
Once the layoffs are complete, the union will represent about 100 Briggs employees in Wauwatosa and Menomonee Falls. That number was 500 back in 2020.
Read the company's statement to TMJ4 News below:
"Throughout 2023, we will transition home standby and engine component production from Wisconsin to other existing Briggs & Stratton facilities. It's important to note that Briggs & Stratton remains committed to the Milwaukee community and will maintain a strong local presence with its Corporate Headquarters and a number of other local facilities and functions.
The transition allows us to consolidate production into facilities that manufacture similar Briggs & Stratton products, which will minimize freight costs, streamline processes, allow us to build products faster and more quickly respond to customer needs.
Impacted employees were given a minimum of 60-days notice of this transition. We thank these employees for their time and dedication to the Company and are committed to providing them with support throughout the transition."
