Briggs & Stratton Corp. announced plans to consolidate a number of its smaller existing warehouses throughout the United States into two large warehouses in Germantown, Wis., in the Milwaukee area, and Auburn, Ala. Both facilities are expected to be operational in spring 2019.
The Germantown facility will be part of a newly approved industrial park, serving as a 700,000 square foot distribution center for Briggs & Stratton engines and products. This space will be in addition to the company’s existing service and parts distribution center located in Menomonee Falls, Wis. The company does not anticipate significant staffing changes given the consolidation of smaller local facilities. The village of Germantown and Washington County plan to support the project with an attraction fund commitment and developer TIF funding.
The Auburn facility will be a 400,000-square-foot distribution center, also for engines and products. This facility positions Briggs & Stratton’s inventory in the optimal location to best supply its customers with shorter delivery times in this region of the U.S., the company said. The City of Auburn, the Industrial Development Board of the City of Auburn, and the state of Alabama plan to support the project with available incentives, creating approximately 20 new jobs in Auburn.
“By consolidating our current footprint into two larger distribution centers, we’re increasing efficiencies to more effectively serve our customers,” said Bill Harlow, director of global distribution and warehousing at Briggs & Stratton. “The locations in Germantown and Auburn will provide a North American enterprise distribution footprint that supports our strategy and customers with optimal inventory and order delivery while managing space and capital investment.”
“This decision aligns with our commitment to invest in being a partner of choice and easy to do business with,” said Dave Rodgers, senior vice president and president – engines and power at Briggs & Stratton. “We’re already enhancing two of our existing plants in Auburn, Alabama, and Statesboro, Georgia, to bring production of our commercial Vanguard V-Twin engines back to the U.S. and we’re continuously investing in our research and development efforts to create products that help make work easier and lives better.”
Briggs & Stratton has warehouses throughout the world. The company is based in Milwaukee and includes brands such as Simplicity, Snapper, Ferris, Vangiard, Allmand, Billy Goat, Murray, Branco and Victa.
