Janesville Plant Closing Idles 140 Workers

An estimated 140 workers at the Ariens Specialty Brands plant in Janesville will lose their jobs by the end of the year.  Ariens is closing the southern Wisconsin facility.  The company says it’s making the move to focus on its core business of making power equipment.  The Janesville facility was involved in direct marketing.  Ariens plans to sell two of the three brands and company officials say they are still exploring options for the third one.  Employees met with company officials earlier this week.