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EXMARK CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY

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Beatrice, Neb. (June 9, 2007) – In 1982, Exmark^® Manufacturing Company opened for business with seven employees in a garage south of Beatrice, Neb. Twenty-five years later, the company's workforce has grown to nearly 700 employees, and Exmark has become the nation's leading manufacturer of commercial, zero-turn riding mowers.

Exmark celebrated and paid tribute to its southeast Nebraska roots June 9 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the renovated Roszell-Exmark Park. Exmark chose to improve and expand the park as part of its anniversary celebration. The company's employees selected the park's new design, and Exmark provided funding and labor to expand and improve the community recreation area. The city of Beatrice and the Toro Foundation also contributed funds.

Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Richard Baier and Beatrice Mayor Dennis Schuster joined city and county officials, Exmark president Mark Stinson, Exmark employees and hundreds of Beatrice residents at the event.

"Improving Roszell Park was the perfect way to celebrate Exmark's 25th anniversary and to recognize the valued partnership we've had with the city of Beatrice," Stinson said. "We are proud of our Nebraska roots, and we believe our employees' Midwestern work ethic has been a vital component of Exmark's success for a quarter of a century."

Exmark employees played an integral role in improving the park. In addition to selecting the park's design, employees provided manual labor, including installation of the new playground equipment. The enhanced Roszell-Exmark Park also includes a basketball court, a pavilion, a new sign and new trees.

The park, formerly known as Roszell Park, was originally named for Beatrice resident Ralph Roszell. A gifted photographer, Roszell chronicled the people and history of Beatrice and southeast Nebraska. His work has been displayed at area museums and the Nebraska State Historical Society.

Roszell's granddaughter, Sandy Roszell James, spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

"This has been quite a fantastic project that will be such a big asset to the community," James said. "Future generations will be able to enjoy the park for a long time. I feel very, very proud, and very happy that this is something Exmark chose to do for its 25th anniversary."

Today, Exmark manufactures a full line of riding and walk-behind mowers and is the largest private employer in Gage County. But the company grew from modest beginnings. In 1983, Exmark moved from a garage to its present location in the Gage County Industrial Park. By 1990, Exmark had expanded four times, increasing its workforce to 60.

Exmark revolutionized the industry in 1995 with the introduction of the Lazer Z^®, a highly-maneuverable, zero-turn riding mower. Landscape professionals immediately recognized the Lazer Z as a state-of-the-art machine.

Two years later, Exmark became a division of The Toro Company. The added resources of Toro helped to ensure Exmark's continued growth and market leadership. In 2000, Exmark surpassed $100 million in sales. Four years later, the company exceeded $200 million.

In 2007, the Exmark manufacturing facility in Beatrice will produce more commercial zero-turn mowers than any other facility in the United States. The company owns approximately one-third of the market. Landscape professionals use Exmark 2-to-1 over any other brand of commercial mower.

About Exmark
Exmark Manufacturing was incorporated in 1982 and, since its inception, has been engaged in the design and manufacture of mid-size commercial walk-behind and riding lawn mowers for landscape professionals. In addition to designing, building and marketing quality turf care equipment, Exmark's goal is total customer satisfaction. Products are sold to distributors who, in turn, market to dealers throughout the continental United States and Canada.

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Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Richard Baier, Beatrice Mayor Dennis Schuster, Exmark President and CEO Mark Stinson, Exmark Research and Development Director Garry Busboom, Dennis Himan of The Toro Company and Sandy (Roszell) James participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony for Roszell-Exmark Park June 9. [Download]

The Lincoln Saltdogs and mascot Homer signed autographs at the Roszell-Exmark Park event. [Download]

Exmark employees helped to install the new playground equipment, which was popular among kids in attendance at the ribbon cutting ceremony. [Download]

Exmark President and CEO Mark Stinson welcomes hundreds of Beatrice residents to Roszell-Exmark Park. Beatrice Mayor Dennis Schuster (left) and Dennis Himan of The Toro Company (right) are also pictured. [Download]

Exmark President and CEO Mark Stinson thanked employees for their contributions in improving and expanding Roszell-Exmark Park. [Download]

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Note to Editors: All media inquiries or requests for photos should be directed to Shannon Sherman, Public Relations Account Executive, Bailey Lauerman; (402) 514-9423. For other questions, please contact Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc., Industrial Park N.W., P.O. Box 808, Beatrice, NE 68310-0808; (402) 223-6300.

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