WHX?? 51,442 #1 Posted April 12, 2019 In Wisconsin anyway. Rumor mill had it that Kohler was going to quit making engines altogether to focus on bathroom crap but that was false. I woulda built a privy and crapped outside before I would buy Kohler $$ fixtures anyway. Turns out they are moving all their engine building to Hattiesburg MS. https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2019/03/12/small-engine-maker-moving-work-kohler-mississippi/3146185002/ So Achto sent us that and I have a bro who works R&D in the engine plant and I ask him if he's gonna need help moving. He says yup all engines are going to be built there within two years. He ain't worried... same age as I and will be retired he says. Sounds like Kohler had some great tax incentives and funny WI didn't trip over themselves to keep them here? Anyway end of a long era here in WI. Thoughts guys? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 12,063 #2 Posted April 12, 2019 Sad for the people who may be losing jobs. Good jobs are hard to find and sometimes harder to keep. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,442 #3 Posted April 12, 2019 Read the link RJG... says there was only 250 people losing their jobs ?? But would be offered other employment within Kohler. Kinda unheard of these days when corps have a tendency to throw employees under the bus? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #4 Posted April 12, 2019 We are thankful they are not going across the border. It’s sad this country is getting weaker everyday. God bless small business! Hope all works out! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,283 #5 Posted April 12, 2019 49 minutes ago, WHX22 said: funny WI didn't trip over themselves to keep them here? Our last Governor may have helped to keep them here. Not gonna get into politics though. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 12,063 #6 Posted April 12, 2019 8 hours ago, WHX22 said: Read the link RJG... says there was only 250 people losing their jobs ?? But would be offered other employment within Kohler. Kinda unheard of these days when corps have a tendency to throw employees under the bus? I saw that, still tho how many of those people will actually want to uproot their families, leave their friends and relatives. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,217 #7 Posted April 12, 2019 At least they are staying in the USA and not moving to Mexico or China. I know many of the replacement parts that I have gotten for my Kohler's have come from Mexico or China, I'd hate to see the whole shebang move there. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,283 #9 Posted April 12, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, rjg854 said: I saw that, still tho how many of those people will actually want to uproot their families, leave their friends and relatives. I believe Kohler's plan is to offer the employees from engine plant in WI, positions in one of their other plants in WI. They are still keeping their plumbing and generator plants in WI. Edited April 12, 2019 by Achto 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,743 #10 Posted April 12, 2019 Wisconsin had been a hub for many facets (JD plant Horicon, Case GT plant Winneconne, Kohler, Bolens, just to name a few...)of the Lawn and Garden equipment Industry for a looooonnnnngggg Time. It is sad to see this “institution” moving out of our state. They were the Premier engine to have in your garden tractor in the 60’s and 70’s. As has been mentioned, I’m glad that they aren’t moving production overseas but still sad to see them moving away from here. I remember taking school field trips to visit the plant in the late 1980’s! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,727 #11 Posted April 12, 2019 With foreign competition, Kohler likely could no longer pay high union wages and had to make a choice of move or go off-shore. I did a search and found that jobs are offered at $10 to $15 per hour at the new plant in MS. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,185 #12 Posted April 12, 2019 Make more on a living wage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,451 #13 Posted April 12, 2019 Briggs, Economy tractors and a few more were made in Wisc. It was the garden tractor hub after WWII 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,566 #14 Posted April 12, 2019 It is the same old story repeated The northeast used to be the textile center. Then the mills closed (like the Huyck felt mill my father worked in) and moved down south to places like Aliceville Ga. for cheaper labor. Then a few years ago the Huyck mill that moved to Aliceville closed and production moved to the far east.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,283 #15 Posted April 13, 2019 6 hours ago, squonk said: Briggs, Economy tractors and a few more were made in Wisc. This is true @squonk. In fact 3 of the major small engines came from the Milwaukee area at one time. Briggs, Kohler, and Wisconsin were all made around the Milwaukee area. Tecumseh also had engine plants in WI As far as garden tractors... Bolens, Simplicity, Economy/Power King, Ariens / Gravely, John Deere, Case/ Ingersoll, Jacobsen/Ford/Oliver/Minneapolis. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,451 #16 Posted April 13, 2019 7 hours ago, Achto said: This is true @squonk. In fact 3 of the major small engines came from the Milwaukee area at one time. Briggs, Kohler, and Wisconsin were all made around the Milwaukee area. Tecumseh also had engine plants in WI As far as garden tractors... Bolens, Simplicity, Economy/Power King, Ariens / Gravely, John Deere, Case/ Ingersoll, Jacobsen/Ford/Oliver/Minneapolis. Wisconsin engines were built in Wisconsin? Lordy Sakes! ( I was trying to think of more companies in my post and drew a blank ! ) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
