Hundreds may lose jobs when Husquarva closes or sells McRae plant in 2019

MCRAE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Husquarva announced today that is plans to close its McRae operations in 2019. Up to 1,000 people work at that plant during peak seasons. Around 500 people would be scheduled to work there at the time of the closure, according to a spokesperson for the company.

The plant makes gas-powered walk behind lawn mowers, tillers, and snow throwers.

“This is a difficult decision and has come about after very thorough and careful consideration of all our options,” said Earl Bennett, President of Husqvarna Brand Division North America, in a news release.

The company says it is looking for a new owner for the plant and hopes to transfer operations in McRae to a new owner.

Although, production for the snow thrower will move to the Husqvarna plant in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

The McRae plant’s closure is part of the company’s refocusing efforts away from “low-margin gas-powered product segments” as the company invests more on future growth areas, such as robotic lawnmowers.