Briggs & Stratton to Move V-Twin Vanguard Production from Japan to U.S.

Briggs & Stratton is moving production of its V-Twin Vanguard engine from a joint venture partnership in Japan to its existing manufacturing facilities in Statesboro, Ga., and Auburn, Ala. The increased production in North America will create approximately 50 new jobs at each of the facilities.

“Moving production of the Vanguard Small and Big Block V-Twin engines to the U.S. is another step in the execution of our commercial growth strategy,” said David Rodgers, senior vice president and president – global engines & power. “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. I’d like to thank Daihatsu Motor Company for being a great partner for the past 30 years and for their continued commitment to assisting with a smooth transition.”

Briggs & Stratton has worked closely with state officials in Alabama and Georgia, as well as county and local officials in Auburn and Statesboro to ensure a collaborative transition.

“I would like to extend our thanks to both the Alabama Department of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Economic Development for their overwhelming support, which has helped enable us to be competitive here in the U.S. and strengthen our communities by providing good paying jobs and training programs,” Rodgers added.

Production of V-Twin Vanguard engines in the company’s U.S. plants is expected to be phased in beginning in the middle of 2018 through the middle of 2019.