Portland, Maine – Eastman Industries, maker of the HoverMower lawnmowers, rolled its first Ingersoll tractor off the production line, officially bringing the Ingersoll Tractor Company to Maine after purchasing the company and moving it from Wisconsin.
Governor John E. Baldacci was on hand today to test out the new tractor and congratulate Eastman on its purchase. Governor Baldacci also toured Eastman’s new 40,000 square-foot manufacturing facility, which houses both the tractor and the lawnmower production lines. Eastman recently moved from a 7,000-square-foot facility into its new headquarters on Riverside Drive in Portland. Eastman invested more than $3.5 million in purchasing and updating the building and preparing it for the manufacturing businesses.
“Eastman Industries is an innovative company that is playing an important role in expanding Maine’s manufacturing sector,” said Governor Baldacci. “We appreciated Eastman for bringing the established Ingersoll brand to Maine.”
Eastman President Nick Nikazmerad said he hopes to increase employment to 50 people over the next couple of years as the company modernizes and expands the Ingersoll line of garden tractors and compact loader backhoes. Eastman recently added seven employees.
“We knew we would be able to handle the manufacturing growth and be able to absorb the Ingersoll production line because of the incredible work force we have here in the state of Maine,” said Nikazmerad. “We hope to continue to grow our business in Maine.”
Nikazmerad added that it took approximately 50 tractor trailers to move all of the Ingersoll inventory and equipment to the Portland facility. With the incorporation of the Ingersoll line, Nikazmerad hopes to begin manufacturing riding lawnmower and tractors to add to Eastman’s line of push mowers.
“Eastman is positioning itself as the global manufacturing leader in the niche market of lawnmowers and tractors,” said Jack Cashman, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development. “Nick, his employees and his business set a positive example for the manufacturing industry in Maine.”
Eastman Industries designs and manufactures lawnmowers, including the HoverMower, a wheel-less lawnmower that floats on air and is preferred by landscapers and golf course superintendents for its ability to mow difficult terrains and steep inclines. The HoverMower is sold in 28 countries around the world. Eastman was named 2005 International Innovator of the Year by the Maine International Trade Center for its international marketing success.