Briggs & Stratton last week announced that it will consolidate manufacturing of its Home Power Products Group, located in Jefferson Wis., to multiple existing Briggs & Stratton locations in the United States. Portable generator production will be moved to its Auburn, Ala., facility where it currently produces engines for these products. Pressure washer manufacturing will be moved to its McDonough, Ga., facility, which produces other lawn and garden products. Home standby generator production, along with engineering research and development, will be moved to its Wauwatosa, Wis., facility.

“The market volatility for our weather-dependent products along with the current economy constantly challenges us to find new ways to remain competitive,” said Harold Redman, president, Briggs & Stratton Home Power Products Group. “We continuously review our manufacturing footprint in order to achieve the greatest efficiency and utilization from the assets we employ. Currently we have available capacity in other Briggs & Stratton locations and can optimize our efficiency by moving Home Power Products manufacturing to these other locations within the United States.”

These changes will result in the closing of the company’s facilities in Jefferson and Watertown Wis., affecting approximately 430 permanent employees. The company will provide assistance programs, continued benefits and outplacement services.

Home Power Products operations in Jefferson are expected to wind down in fiscal year 2010. Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Briggs & Stratton Corp.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Briggs & Stratton Corp., is an international producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment.