Briggs & Stratton Corp. announced that it will move existing manufacturing from its Newbern, Tennessee facility to its McDonough, Georgia facility. The company will also close its Ostrava, Czech Republic plant, shifting production to the company's Murray, Kentucky facility. Also, the company will continue reducing capacity by reconfiguring and idling certain assets at its Poplar Bluff, Missouri facility. Since 2004, the U.S. lawn and garden market has declined over 33%. This significant and prolonged market decline is unlike any other this industry has seen in decades. In addition, company has taken actions over the past year to reconfigure and reduce capacity and costs at Poplar Bluff, Mo engine plant. The actions announced to consolidate manufacturing footprint further, will better align production capacity to the markets it serve. The Newbern, Tennessee facility currently manufacturers walk behind lawn mowers and snow throwers for the U.S. domestic market. The Ostrava, Czech Republic facility currently manufactures small engines for the outdoor power equipment industry. These changes will result in the closing of the company's facility in Newbern Tennessee, affecting approximately 240 regular employees and 450 temporary employees. Additionally, the closing of the Ostrava, Czech Republic facility will affect approximately 77 regular employees. The company does not anticipate significant employment changes at its Poplar Bluff, Missouri facility. Where applicable, the company will provide assistance programs, continued benefits and outplacement services for the affected employees. Operations in Ostrava are expected to wind down by March 15, 2012 and Newbern are expected to wind down by approximately May 15, 2012.