Briggs & Stratton Corporation to Acquire Generac Portable Products

    MILWAUKEE, March 1 Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Briggs & Stratton announced today that it has signed a letter of intent to
acquire Generac Portable Products, Inc. of Jefferson, Wisconsin for
$55 million in cash.  Total consideration at closing, which will include an
anticipated $215 million of outstanding debt, is expected to be $270 million.
The letter of intent also includes an earnout provision based on future
earnings through June 2002.  Generac Portable Products, a leading designer,
manufacturer and marketer of generators and pressure washers, had net sales of
$90 million for the six months ended December 31, 2000 and anticipates net
sales of approximately $250 million for the twelve months ending July 1, 2001.
Briggs & Stratton currently believes the acquisition may have a neutral to
slightly negative effect on earnings per share for fiscal 2001 and will be
accretive to earnings in fiscal 2002 by $.10 to $.20 per share and $.25 to
$.35 per share in fiscal 2003.  Cost synergies resulting from the combination
are expected to be modest.  Completion of the transaction is subject to
negotiation of a definitive agreement and other customary conditions for a
transaction of this type.  The transaction is targeted for closing in Briggs &
Stratton's fiscal fourth quarter.

    "The acquisition will bring together two companies who share the vision of
strong future growth for portable and standby generator products as dependable
sources of power become an ongoing issue in the U.S. and markets around the
world," states John S. Shiely, Briggs & Stratton Corporation's president and
chief operating officer.

    Generac Portable Products is the first acquisition by Briggs & Stratton
where the acquired company is the manufacturer of a consumer product.  "Briggs
& Stratton historically has been only an engine supplier to original equipment
manufacturers.  We believe there can be significant value creating
opportunities in combining the breadth and quality of Generac Portable
Products' product lines with the brand equity associated with the Briggs &
Stratton name," said Shiely.  "As the powered product markets continue to
evolve, the need for closer alliances with other original equipment
manufacturers will be continually evaluated."

    "We're excited about this combination," said Dorrance Noonan, president
and chief executive officer of Generac Portable Products.  "We pride ourselves
as being this industry segment's leader in product innovation and
responsiveness to customers' needs for value delivery.  We believe our
leadership in these areas will be further enhanced through an even more
integrative approach to meeting the market's needs."

    In the twelve months ended July 2, 2000, approximately 9% of Briggs &
Stratton's engine unit sales were for generator and pressure washer
applications.  Briggs & Stratton is a major engine supplier to the markets for
these products and will continue to aggressively pursue supplying engines to
all original equipment manufacturers of generators and pressure washers,
competing on quality, delivery, price and breadth of engine product offerings.