Employees and leaders from Briggs & Stratton Corporation recently celebrated the grand opening of the company’s new commercial products facility in Sherrill, NY.
In 2004, Briggs & Stratton Corporation acquired Ferris Industries – manufacturer of commercial-grade outdoor power equipment - in an effort to diversify its product portfolio and expand its business to serve the growing commercial landscape industry.
With growth in its commercial business, Briggs & Stratton saw a need to expand the Ferris plant previously located in Munnsville, NY.
For the ribbon cutting (left to right): Don Klenk, VP of Operations, Briggs & Stratton; Michael Reese, Regional Director of Empire State Development Mohawk Valley Regional Office ; Todd Teske, Chairman, President and CEO, Briggs & Stratton; Harold Redman, SVP and President - Turf & Consumer Products, Briggs & Stratton; Jeremy Sanders, Vice President of Sales - Turf & Consumer Products, Briggs & Stratton; Tom Burkard, Vice President Product Management, Briggs & Stratton
“This expansion is the result of strong sales growth of commercial products the company has achieved over the past several years and will position it well for continued future growth,” said Todd Teske, chairman, president and CEO of Briggs & Stratton. “In 2013, commercial engines and products were less than 13% of total sales; and now, they represent more than 30% of our sales.”
He went on to thank the state of New York, Oneida County and City of Sherrill officials for their involvement in the expansion.
“This is really a testament to the great workforce in this state and region and could not have been done without their support,” added Harold Redman, senior vice president and president of Briggs & Stratton’s Turf & Consumer Products Group.
At the celebration, nearly 500 employees were present and recognized for their hard work, flexibility and dedication in the midst of the move.
“I would be remiss to not thank our great employees who stepped up to the challenge of moving, acclimating to a new environment and continuing to build the top-of-the-line products we’re known for,” Redman said. “One of the things I love most about the products made here is the pride that goes into each and every unit built. We truly believe that great products are a reflection of the people who build them.”
The new facility and commercial sales growth resulted in the creation of approximately 50 new, full-time jobs in the Sherrill facility. While 600 employees currently work at the facility, it has nearly 60 positions currently available in all areas of the business; most notably in assembly, weld, fabrication and paint in addition to positions to support its growth through quality, manufacturing and supply chain.
In addition to the new Sherrill facility which now manufactures commercial lawn care products from Briggs & Stratton’s Ferris, Simplicity, Snapper, Snapper Pro and Billy Goat brands, the company also leases warehouse space at another facility in Sherrill.
