Changes Abound at Textron

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - In addition to branding changes for its turf maintenance brands of Golf, Turf & Specialty Products, Charlotte, N.C.-based Textron announced that it has appointed a new president of its turf and professional lawn care business.

After marketing its four major brands (Jacobsen, Cushman, Ransomes and Ryan) in various brand identity colors for three years, Textron has announced that orange will be the new flagship color for for the company's golf equipment line.

For sales to the golf market in the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region, Cushman turf vehicles and Ryan aerators and seeders will now feature Jacobsen orange. Simultaneously, the Ransomes brand is being discontinued, except in Europe where the Ransomes line will serve as Textron's primary mower brand, and in the Asia-Pacific region. Popular brands of the Ransomes line will continue to be sold in the Americas under the Jacobsen line.

Additionally, to help maximize the company's turf and professional lawn care market focus, Textron has appointed Jon Carlson as president of that unit. Carlson will be responsible for sales, marketing, engineering and manufacturing of those products.

"Jon has a solid background in general management and manufacturing, as well as a keen understanding of our distribution channels," explained Chairman and CEO Greg Hyland. "By brining a senior executive to oversee the day-to-day operations of our truf care business, we will be able to increase our focus on what's most important - exceeding our customers' expectations."

Carlson has nearly 25 years of management experience in operations, sales and marketing and served most recently as senior vice president and general manager of Case Corporation's North American agricultural busines unit.

Textron Golf, Turf & Specialty products manufactures a full range of vehicles and turf maintenance equipment for golf, turf, professional lawn care, sports field and industrial applications.