Briggs & Stratton announces job cuts

The Milwaukee-based Briggs & Stratton says it will cut 690 U.S. jobs, and cut 77 more in the Czech Republic due to a falling demand for its lawn-and-garden products.

Briggs said on Jan. 26 that it would shut down a plant in Tennessee and the move the work to Georgia. Briggs will close its plant in the Czech Republic and move the production to Kentucky.

A plant in Poplar Bluff, Missouri will also reduce its capacity, but it does not expect major job changes at that site.

Briggs & Stratton CEOTodd Teske says the reductions are due to a quote, "significant and prolonged market decline unlike any other this industry has seen in decades." Teske said the moves would align its production to the markets the company serves.

Wall Street reacted with a 9% drop in the value of Briggs' shares in that morning's trading.

Tags: business, wisconsin, outdoors