Ipswich, Suffolk – February 26, 2010 – Ransomes Jacobsen, the Ipswich-based turf maintenance equipment manufacturer, has appointed Steve Barnfather to the newly created role of Trade Sales Manager with responsibility for all non-exclusive dealer activities. Ransomes Jacobsen, a Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT) company

In this new role he will be primarily responsible for the development of Ransomes Jacobsen’s non-exclusive dealer network across the UK focussing on Iseki compact tractors and mowers, E-Z-GO utility vehicles, Ryan turf maintenance equipment and the smaller Ransomes pedestrian mower range.

His dealers currently include Cherry’s Country Hardware, Devon Garden Machinery, Grasshopper Horticultural, JE Lawrence & Sons, Lodgeway Tractors and Sharnford Horticultural together with the newly appointed Fentons of Bourne and DJ Scott Garden Machinery. Ransomes Jacobsen plans to appoint a further 20 non-exclusive dealers over the next 12 months, all of whom will fall under Barnfather’s remit.

During his career in the industry he was the ground care general manager at the Hexham branch of Carrs Billington, the Hayter and Massey Ferguson dealer; he has worked in the hire sector with SGM Hire and Swan Plant and in a sales role with Landforce Woodchippers.

Commenting on his appointment, Rupert Price, UK & Ireland sales manager at Ransomes Jacobsen said, “Steve has a great understanding of the compact tractor market from his time with Carrs Billington and a rounded knowledge of the industry in general. He is an able communicator which will certainly be an advantage in this new role. I’m sure he will be a great asset to the business as we develop our non-exclusive dealer network, going forward.”

Steve lives in Morpeth, Northumberland with his wife Lesley. He has three grown-up children and is a long-suffering supporter of Newcastle United Football Club.

About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, 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 Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. For more information visit: www.textron.com.