Engine production to move from Japan to U.S.

Briggs & Stratton Corp. says it will move production of its V-Twin Vanguard engines from a joint venture partnership in Japan to its existing manufacturing facilities in Statesboro, Georgia and Auburn, Alabama.

“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,” states David J. 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.”  

The increased production in North America will create approximately 50 new jobs at each of the facilities.

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.