MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- A major manufacturer of small engines is shifting more of its production to the United States and creating jobs in both Georgia and Alabama.
Briggs & Stratton announced on Monday that it is moving production of its V-Twin Vanguard engines from a joint venture partnership in Japan to existing facilities in Statesboro, Georgia and Auburn, Alabama.
“We see this as a strategic competitive advantage because we can manufacture closer to our customers in the U.S., resulting in faster production times and faster shipping," said Senior Vice President David J. Rodgers.
Rodgers is also the president of Global Engines & Power. The company also announced that increased production will mean jobs as well - about 50 at each location.
“We’re proud that an industry leader like Briggs & Stratton has chosen to expand its facility and employment roster here,” says Georgia Governor Nathan Deal.
Rodgers thanked Daihatsu Motor Company for partnering with Briggs & Stratton over the last 30 years and for committing to a smooth transition.
The decision comes at a time when foreign trade deals, including the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), have come under increased scrutiny by President Donald Trump. Proponents of these trade deals believe that they deepen ties between member countries but American critics feel they hurt industries and jobs within the country.
Since his inauguration, Trump's administration has been a vocal proponent of keeping manufacturing jobs in the United States. It's unclear if this latest move by Briggs & Stratton is a reaction to these statements or possibly the looming changes to the U.S. stance on foreign trade deals.
Production of the company's Vanguard engines at Georgia and Alabama plants is expected to phase in beginning in mid-2018 and be complete by mid-2019.
