Lawn-gear maker to merge facilities

By The Associated Press

NASHVILLE — Outdoor power-equipment maker Husqvarna, with manufacturing plants at Nashville and De Queen in southwest Arkansas, says it will consolidate the two operations at the Nashville plant next year, and the De Queen site will become a warehouse.

The company based at Stockholm, Sweden, said in a news release that the transfer of De Queen’s manufacturing operations to Nashville will begin in June 2010.

The release said U.S. production of chain saws, trimmers and other hand-held products would be consolidated at the Nashville plant, which manufactures similar products. The De Queen plant has handled final assembly of such products, but that function will move to Nashville.

The company said the change is intended to reduce costs and improve the company’s competitiveness.