Textron's Jacobsen Kicks Off Spring With Field Preparations Around The World

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--May 15, 2006--

World's finest sporting fields groomed with Jacobsen equipment

Textron Inc. announced today that Jacobsen's European division, Ransomes Jacobsen, will provide turf care equipment to refurbish and transform the playing fields for the Federation Internationale de Football Association's (FIFA) World Cup tournament in June, to be held in Germany. This global event will feature 32 teams playing a total of 64 matches before the winners emerge in the final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 9, 2006.

"Jacobsen equipment will help field managers deliver the best field conditions possible for the upcoming games, allowing players to perform at their highest level," said David Withers, managing director, Jacobsen. "We are honored that the World Cup has chosen to utilize Jacobsen equipment. Our complete line of reliable mowers, groomers, utility vehicles and aeroters provide individuals in sports field management the best equipment for field preparation."

One of the mowers that will be utilized in the World Cup preparation is the Ransomes Mastiff, a walk-behind mower. This particular Jacobsen model is considered standard equipment for the preparation of football fields across Europe.

Jacobsen in the U.S.

In the United States, Jacobsen equipment is used by sports field management at all types of sporting facilities, including Ripkin Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland, Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wisconsin, University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Midway Stadium in St. Paul Minnesota, Iowa State University in Ames and Jefferson County Public Schools in Lakewood, Colorado. Jacobsen equipment helps organizations with one or a dozen fields maintain the professional grade turf that players and coaches demand.

Baseball Hall of Famer and Co-Owner of Ripken Baseball Group Cal Ripken, Jr., says, "Our partnership with Jacobsen has allowed us to maintain our facilities in a first class manner. Ripken Stadium as well as our youth academy include some of the finest playing fields in the country and we would not be able to achieve that without quality machines like the ones we receive from Jacobsen."

Jacobsen, a Textron Inc. company, manufactures a full range of vehicles and turf maintenance equipment for golf, turf, professional lawn care, sports fields, municipal and industrial applications. The company markets Bob-Cat(R), Brouwer(R), Bunton(R), Cushman(R), Jacobsen(R), Ryan(R) and Steiner(TM) brand products internationally through an extensive distribution network. Additional information is available at www.jacobsen.com.

Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company operating in 33 countries with approximately 37,000 employees in continuing operations. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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 Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.