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Briggs & Stratton Corporation today announced a plan to close its Jefferson, Wisconsin manufacturing facility in fiscal 2010. The Power Products Segment facility currently manufactures all portable generator, home standby generator and pressure washer products marketed and sold by the company.

The Jefferson facility's production will be consolidated into existing United States engine and lawn and garden product facilities to optimize plant utilization and achieve better integration between engine and end product design, manufacturing and distribution.

In conjunction with the closing of the facility, the company will recognize a pre-tax $5.8 million charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 composed of $4.6 million of net asset impairments and approximately $1.2 million of employee related charges for severance and pension costs. The impact of the facilities' consolidation on fiscal 2010 earnings is projected to be minimal because estimated savings will be offset by closure costs and the fact that the facility will be in operation for a portion of the fiscal year. In fiscal 2011, the company estimates approximately $11.0 million of pre-tax savings from the consolidation of operations.