ROCKFORD, Ill. (March 12, 2018) -- Greenlee Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is expanding its PVC cutter offering with the new 1 5/8-inch O.D. PVC Cutter. Its comfortable rubber grips and shorter handle span reduce the required handle force for easy ergonomic cutting of PVC.

“Professional contractors are getting a premium PVC cutter that is durable, functional and safer to use,” says Dale Speggen, product manager at Greenlee. “Having low handle force not only means the new PVC Cutter reduces hand strain, but it allows for more cuts per day, which can increase user productivity.”

Third-party testing performed by Materials Engineering, Inc. shows the new Greenlee 1 5/8-inch cutter requires less operator handle force than competitive 1-5/8-inch O.D. PVC cutter models made by Klein Tools® (21.9 percent less force), Ridgid® (36 percent less force), and Lenox® (69 percent less force) when cutting 1-5/8” O.D. schedule 40 PVC. See how the Greenlee 1 5/8-inch O.D. PVC Cutter compares to other cutters on the market at Greenlee.com/PVCCutter.

A right-angled jaw and a corrosion resistant blade are designed to achieve burr-free, clean, straight cuts with every use. The new Greenlee 1 5/8-inch O.D. PVC Cutter is also designed for the easiest quick-blade replacement on the market, allowing the user to efficiently change blades without using tools or loose parts. The new locking mechanism feature located at the top of the tool is designed to prevent unintentional locking while in use. A unique compact storage process gives operators the ability to store the PVC Cutter with the blade fully open or closed without the risk of having an exposed blade.

The new Greenlee 1 5/8-inch O.D. PVC Cutter (catalog number 864QR) is now available for purchase. Professionals can see the new PVC Cutter in action at Greenlee.com/PVCCutter. To schedule a demonstration or purchase the tool, contractors should locate the nearest dealer by visiting Greenlee.com/where-to-buy.

Greenlee Textron Inc.

Greenlee Textron Inc. is known as a global leader in the professional tool category. The Rockford, Illinois-based company develops high quality, innovative products distinguished by customer-driven design and differentiated by supply chain excellence. It also leverages its powerful brands such as Greenlee Communications and Greenlee Utility in the electrical, construction and maintenance markets worldwide. More information is available at www.greenlee.com.

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, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Off Road, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release may describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Klein^® is a registered trademark of Klein^® Tools, Inc. RIDGID^® is a registered trademark of Emerson Electric Co. Lenox^® is a registered trademark of Irwin Industrial Tool Company.