Bridgwater, UK - June 15, 2006 - The Cannington Centre for Land-based Studies at Bridgwater College, one of the UK's premier centres of vocational excellence for greenkeeping and sports turf management, has signed a five-year preferred supplier agreement with the Ipswich-based turf maintenance equipment manufacturer Ransomes Jacobsen, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

All the major equipment manufacturers were asked to tender, but it was Ransomes Jacobsen and their dealer for the southwest, PJ Flegg, who provided the best overall package to suit the requirements of the college.

Over £200,000 worth of equipment has been delivered and will be used by the grounds staff team to maintain their 9-hole, 18-tee golf course; the college gardens and by students in the Sportsturf faculty. The equipment includes walk-behind mowers, ride-on greens, tees and fairway machines; diesel-powered turf utility vehicles, tractors, an aerator and a turf cutter.

Ransomes Jacobsen will be sponsoring two student awards, one FE and one HE, providing branded clothing, as well as participating in student development by supplying workshop manuals, operator training materials and undertaking tutorials both at the college and at their training facilities in Ipswich.

Andre Gardner, Grounds Manager, Gardens and Golf said, "This is an exciting partnership for the College and provides us with modern, up-to-date equipment that will help us attract students to the courses that we offer here at Cannington. Ransomes Jacobsen has without doubt the widest range of professional grounds care equipment available from a single manufacturer. They produce high quality machinery and we are delighted that we have secured this partnership agreement with them."

Hugh Murray, Head Greenkeeper added, "The effect of this new equipment will help enhance the profile of the golf course and improve the presentation and playing surfaces to a level that will attract new members. In fact, we have seen this happening already; the course has improved significantly and we have increased our membership as a result."

Alan Prickett, Sales Director at Ransomes Jacobsen concluded, "As a leading manufacturer we have a duty to help raise the profile of the grounds care industry and the standards of the professionals within it. This agreement follows a similar accord with Myerscough College in the northwest of England and demonstrates our commitment to our industry sector."