Briggs & Stratton to lay off 114 at Poplar Bluff plant

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Briggs & Stratton has announced a layoff will occur at its Poplar Bluff plant beginning April 17, according to the Daily American Republic. "The layoff is expected to affect approximately 114 employees," plant manager Mark Melloy said. Briggs & Stratton's Poplar Bluff facility manufactures small engines for the outdoor power equipment industry. "The softer demand for lawn and garden equipment and efforts by retailers to maintain reasonable inventory levels in the distribution channels have contributed to the slowdown in shipping product," Melloy said. When Briggs & Stratton celebrated the company's 100th anniversary last year, the Poplar Bluff plant had 1,300 workers. Briggs & Stratton built the plant in 1989 and is the area's largest industrial employer. "We look to hire additional folks this fall as we prepare for the next busy season," Melloy said. "The seasonal cycle is not unfamiliar to the company. We continue to be healthy and profitable."

Construction will continue on a new Briggs & Stratton warehouse.

"We expect the warehouse will be completed in May or June," Melloy said. "We will staff the warehouse with existing employees."

The new warehouse will save transportation and rental costs. Briggs & Stratton currently leases space in area warehouses.

Briggs & Stratton is the world's largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment.