Textron Units Introduce Groundbreaking Environmentally-Friendly Products
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--April 22, 2003--First All-Electric Greens Mower and European LP Gas-Powered Golf Car; First Turf Care Companies To Achieve ISO 14001
Responding to growing environmental concerns and requirements, two Textron Inc. units have introduced innovative new environmentally-conscious products, primarily for the golf and turf care markets. Highlighting their commitment to the environment and addressing customer demand for quieter products, Charlotte, N.C.-based Jacobsen and U.K.-based Ransomes are producing golf and turf care equipment and vehicles that run on alternative power and reduce noise pollution. In addition, unlike traditional models, this equipment uses little or no environmentally damaging fluids. Both companies were also recently awarded International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) certification, becoming the first in the turf care industry to meet these high environmental standards.
"Jacobsen and Ransomes are responding to the needs of customers by applying innovative proprietary technologies to create products that are quiet and environmentally-friendly," said Greg Hyland, president of Textron's Industrial Products segment. "We are the first in the industry to offer such a wide range of alternative power products for the golf, turf, sports and municipal markets," he added.
Mowers
Jacobsen now offers three all-electric greens mowers that are ideal for use near residential areas due to their low noise levels.
The first-ever all electric riding greens mower, the Jacobsen E-Plex II, is already in use at Scotland's world-renowned St. Andrews, known as the Home of Golf. "The purchase of the Jacobsen E-Plex II supports our policy of using the most suitable turf equipment while caring for the environment," said Gordon Moir, St. Andrews Links superintendent. "The electric greens mower is much quieter, ideal for greens close to residential areas. It also meets our quality of cut requirements and is a welcome addition to our fleet," he added.
The new E-Walk(R) and Tournament Cut-22E(TM) are all-electric, whisper-quiet walking greens mowers. These pollution-free, patent-pending mowers deliver a precision cut without oil, hydraulic fluids or emissions.
In addition, Ransomes offers the first riding mower to run entirely on liquid propane (LP) gas. The Ransomes Highway LPG is the first alternative fuel, commercial mower of its type available in the U.K. municipal market. The mower holds a total of 72 liters of propane, which provide eight to nine hours of productive time, equal to the diesel version of the same mower.
Golf Cars
Responding to the demand for cleaner burning fuel and to the high cost of gasoline in Europe, Ransomes has also recently developed the first LP gas-powered golf car available in the European market. LP gas, which is exempt from taxes in the U.K., is approximately 65% cheaper and burns 20% cleaner than gasoline. The car performs to the same specifications as its electric or gasoline-powered counterparts, while saving operators more than 25% in fuel costs over three years.
ISO 14001 Certification
Jacobsen and Ransomes were the first companies in the turf care industry to be awarded ISO 14001 EMS certification. This designation allows organizations to develop their own policies and objectives from a framework that outlines key requirements for companies to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.
"The award of this international standard represents our ongoing commitment to environmental best practice and responsible management," said Steve Chicken, managing director for Ransomes.
Jacobsen and Ransomes manufacture a full range of vehicles and turf maintenance equipment for golf, turf, professional lawn care, sports field, municipal and industrial applications. The company markets Bob-Cat(R), Brouwer(R), Bunton(R), Cushman(R), Jacobsen(R), Ransomes(R), Ryan(R), and Steiner(TM) brand products internationally through an extensive distribution network. Jacobsen and Ransomes Jacobsen are Textron companies. Additional information is available at www.jacobsen.com or www.ransomes.com.
Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company with 49,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services in industries such as aircraft, fastening systems, industrial products and components and finance. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.