Briggs & Stratton commercial growth efforts result in financial savings

MILWAUKEE – Briggs & Stratton Corporation is anticipated to yield pre-tax savings of $30 million to $35 million and set the foundation for continued profitable commercial growth. The company introduced a Business Optimization Program last year to increase production capacity for higher-margin commercial turf products, bring engine production closer to its customers, and better utilize its facilities to drive efficiencies.

"Over the last five years, we've successfully grown commercial sales by more than 70 percent, requiring us to evaluate all facets of our business to best support this growth," says Todd Teske, Briggs & Stratton chairman, president and CEO. "In a short amount of time, Briggs & Stratton has displayed quick execution and substantial movement toward meeting the goals of the Program, and is on pace to meet the expected pre-tax cost savings."

• Briggs & Stratton is moving production of its Vanguard V-Twin Small and Big BlockTM engines from a joint venture partnership in Japan to its existing Statesboro, Georgia and Auburn, Alabama, facilities in the United States.
• The company is expanding its Ferris mower production capacity into a new, modern facility in Sherrill, New York.

• Recognizing the need to be easier to do business with and streamline processes to be more efficient and work more effectively, the company invested in upgrading its global ERP system, which was recently integrated into the business.