(Charlotte, N.C. August 11, 2016) – Jacobsen®, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that 2016 marks the 95th year Jacobsen has been in business. Founded in 1921 by Oscar Jacobsen, the company has been committed to helping turf managers present world-class conditions every day.

Click here to view a brief video about Jacobsen’s 95-Year history.

Click here to view an illustrated timeline of Jacobsen’s 95-year history.

During the company’s 95-year history, Jacobsen developed many revolutionary products that helped to advance the turf management industry. A few notable milestones include:

1921 – Oscar Jacobsen founds the company and releases the 4-Acre mower. Intended for use on “the vast estates of millionaires,” the mower boasted a cutting capacity of four acres a day, a huge feat at the time.

1923 - Just two years later, Jacobsen again makes history with the introduction of the world’s first cast aluminum professional greens mower (PGM). The Jacobsen PGM can still be found on courses like Oakmont Country Club, host of this year’s U.S. Open.

1955 – Jacobsen unveils another major breakthrough with the introduction of the first rotary mower for home use that uses four reversible rotary cutting blades.

1968 – Jacobsen leads the way by producing the world’s first riding greens mower, the Greens King™, which becomes the standard of the turf maintenance industry.

1986 – The industry’s first Turf Groomer™ is introduced by Jacobsen and serves as a major advancement in greens care by increasing green speed without lowering the height-of-cut.

1989 – The legendary LF-100™ light fairway mower is introduced, specifically designed from the ground up to be as light as possible, providing less compaction and healthier turf.

1998 – Textron buys Ransomes, a British company with a 200-year history manufacturing agriculture and turf maintenance tractors, mowers and accessories.

2009 –Jacobsen unveils the revolutionary ECLIPSE® 322 riding greens mower, the industry’s first triplex without any hydraulics.

2014 – Textron acquires Dixie Chopper, an Indiana-based manufacturer of zero-turn radius mowers for commercial and residential markets.

2016 – Jacobsen introduces the HR Series of wide-area rotaries, which offer industry-leading productivity, serviceability and comfort.

“Since Oscar Jacobsen founded the company 95 years ago, his original vision really hasn’t changed much over the years,” said David Withers, president and CEO of Jacobsen. “He set out to provide equipment that helped turf managers provide superior conditions, maximize productivity and reduce costs. From his original putting greens mower to today’s HR Series of wide-area rotary mowers, we’ve delivered on that vision for 95 years. And now it’s the countdown to our centennial in 2021 when we will celebrate our 100-year anniversary.”

About Jacobsen
With over 95 years of experience in the turf maintenance industry, Jacobsen, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has built a legacy of precision craftsmanship, legendary quality of cut and unmatched expertise. Dedicated solely to delivering perfectly groomed turf, Jacobsen equipment is used on some of the finest formal turf areas across the United States and the world, through an extensive distribution network and the international Ransomes brand. Additional information about Jacobsen can be found at jacobsen.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 Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Bad Boy Off Road, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information visit: textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or 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.

For further information please contact Adam C. Slick, Senior Marketing and Communications Manager, Jacobsen 704.504.4867 aslick@textron.com