Jacobsen Announces "Jacobsen TurfDirect" - Factory-Direct Service to Parts of N.C. and S.C.

Charlotte, NC - March 24, 2005 - Golf Courses in North Carolina and South Carolina formerly serviced by G&S Turf Equipment and Jacobsen's Columbia Branch will now get their Jacobsen equipment, parts and service directly from the company's headquarters in Charlotte, N.C.

"The Carolinas are home to Jacobsen's world-wide headquarters. More than 400 people build, service and supply golf and fine turf equipment to customers around the world," Said Mark Williams, turf direct sales manager, Jacobsen. "From Pebble Beach to St. Andrews to Fuji Mikougen in Nagano, Japan - no matter how global our reach, the Carolinas are still our home turf."

Jacobsen TurfDirect will provide the Carolinas with direct shipments from the Jacobsen plant as well as parts straight from the factory. Services include next day parts delivery upon request, factory assistance, and internal service and diagnostics. Most importantly, each customer will be assigned a Jacobsen salesperson and a service technician who will work as a team to provide products and support.

"We see this direct interaction as a reciprocal relationship. Through Jacobsen TurfDirect, we can provide the customers in our own backyard with equipment and service, plus we get valuable feedback on our people and our products directly from the end-user." Said Williams.

Vereens Turf Products based in Longs S.C., will continue to provide service and equipment for the coastal regions of both Carolinas.

For Jacobsen TurfDirect sales and service information, call (800) 732-6567 or locally in Charlotte (704) 504-5808. Territory salespeople will also be available via mobile phone (see below for information). Fax numbers are (803) 256-4989 in Columbia and (704) 504-5809 in Charlotte.

Customers will immediately be able to establish an open account to purchase Jacobsen parts through Textron Financial Corporation. For a complete list of products and finance offers, visit www.jacobsen.com.

Five salespeople will cover the Jacobsen TurfDirect factory-supplied territories. They are listed with their closest major city. (See attached map for additional detail.)

Raleigh, N.C. - Robert Hilton (919) 630-2650
Greensboro, N.C. - Rex Floyd (919) 630-5789
Winston Salem - Ivey Barber (828) 244-7508
Charlotte - Phillip Crisp (704) 577-9047

Field service technicians will be managed by Bill Ledford, Jacobsen TurfDirect's field service manager. He can be contacted at (704) 472-2426.

Jacobsen manufactures a full range of vehicles and turf maintenance equipment for golf, turf, professional lawn care, sports field, municipal and industrial applications. The company markets Bob-Cat®, Brouwer®, Bunton®, Cushman®, Jacobsen®, Ryan® and Steiner ? brand products internationally through an extensive distribution network. Jacobsen is a Textron company. Additional information is available at www.jacobsen.com.

Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) is a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in nearly 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.