by Aaron W. Hughey

When you think of Briggs and Stratton, you probably think of lawn mowers and garden equipment. But you should also think of Murray, Kentucky.

Briggs and Stratton moved into their current 270,000 square foot facility in 1985. They manufacture the three-and-a-half horsepower Classic, the three-and-three-quarters horsepower Sprint, and the four horsepower Quattro.

“We sell small engines to customers all over the world,” explains Joe Wright, general manager of Briggs and Stratton in Murray, Kentucky. “The domestic market is rather flat at the moment, but the international market is growing.”

“We are the largest small engine supplier for Australia,” Wright observes.

“We supply products to the lawn and garden industry,” Wright observes. “We produce several different kinds of small engine products, including pressure washers and small generators.”

In addition to the Murray facility, Wright is also the general manager of four other assembly plants. He has been in Murray now for about four years. He came to this area from Michigan.

“We have the capacity for about three million engines a year,” Wright explains. “And we currently have just under 1,000 employees.”

“We are running four full-time assembly lines at the present time,” Wright continues. “Actually, that’s two lines at two shifts per line.”

The Murray facility is one of only five assembly plants located outside Michigan. Moreover, it is one of Briggs and Stratton’s most productive facilities.

“The Murray area offers a variety of advantages for manufacturing,” Wright says. One of the biggest benefits is Murray State University.”

“We have a student line at the plant; two groups of students who work at night.,” Wright elaborates. “It’s a great learning experience for them and they are typically excellent workers for us.”

“The company provides valuable internships and opportunities for part-time employees who are also college students,” Wright continues. “It’s practical, hands-on experience that they can’t quite get in the classroom.”

“Briggs and Stratton also hires its share of engineers from Murray State University,” Wright adds.

Wright indicates that Briggs and Stratton is very pleased with their Murray location.

“This area has a great group of people to draw from,” Wright asserts. “The people here have an excellent work ethic, which is not uncommon in areas with a farming tradition.”

“Calloway County is a great place to raise a family,” Wright continues. “The values people have in the community are very solid.”

“I think Briggs and Stratton will be here for quite some time,” Wright concludes.