Dixie Chopper Assets Acquired by Jacobsen, a Textron Company

Thursday, February 6 -- Jacobsen, a Textron Inc. company, has acquired the assets of Dixie Chopper, a Putnam County-based manufacturer of zero-turn-radius mowers for the commercial and residential markets, it was announced Thursday.

"The addition of Dixie Chopper expands our reach into the consumer and commercial sectors, including municipalities, with a full range of zero-turn mowers known for their speed, quality and performance," Jacobsen President David Withers said.

"It's really a win-win for both companies," he added, "and we look forward to building customer relationships together with Dixie Chopper."

Known as "the World's Fastest Lawn Mower," Dixie Chopper mowers are capable of mowing up to 6.6 acres per hour. The company manufactures 11 models of zero-turn mowers, from the residential Zee 2 with 21-hp Kawasaki engine and 42-inch deck to the industrial category XCaliber Twin with two 27-hp Generac engines and 74-inch deck.

"We are excited to join the Jacobsen and Textron family of brands," Dixie Chopper founder and Chairman Art Evans said Thursday.

"Our line of zero-turn radius mowers fit perfectly into the Jacobsen portfolio of products," Evans added, "and we look forward to working together to serve more customers.

"The joining of Dixie Chopper and Jacobsen offers an opportunity for Dixie Chopper to reach a global market and expand brand awareness in the process."

Jacobsen will continue to operate Dixie Chopper out of the company's Indiana facilities in Fillmore and Greencastle, and the existing Dixie Chopper management team will join Jacobsen.

With the addition of Dixie Chopper, Jacobsen offers a complete product line of turf maintenance equipment, including zero-turn mowers, small and large area reel mowers, trim mowers, wide-area rotary mowers, aerators, sprayers, utility vehicles and renovation equipment.

Founded in 1980, Dixie Chopper revolutionized the entire lawn and garden industry by providing the first zero-turn lawn mowers built specifically for commercial mowing contractors.

Known as "the World's Fastest Lawn Mower," Dixie Chopper mowers are about much more than being fast. The company prides itself on providing quality and reliability in addition to speed. To learn more about Dixie Chopper and view the complete lineup of zero-turn lawn mowers, visit the company's website atwww.dixiechopper.com.

With more than 90 years of experience in the turf maintenance industry, Jacobsen equipment is used on some of the finest formal turf areas across the United States and the world, through an extensive distribution network and the international Ransomes brand. Additional information about the company can be found at www.jacobsen.com.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. For more information visit: www.textron.com.

www.bannergraphic.com  

Bad Boy Mowers to Expand in Batesville, AK

March 1 -- Bad Boy Mowers, a manufacturer of a variety of zero-turn mowers and multi-terrain vehicles (MTV), today announced plans to expand its operations in Batesville, where the company is also headquartered. Bad Boy will invest $7.4 million and add 150 positions, bringing Bad Boy’s total employment in Arkansas to more than 550 people. Through this expansion, Bad Boy will add to its MTV manufacturing capacity.

Bad Boy Mowers are now manufactured, assembled and stored in multiple facilities comprising over 650,000 square feet in Batesville and Melbourne, Arkansas.

“Bad Boy Mowers is a homegrown Arkansas company that continues to grow thanks to an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong, committed workforce,” Governor Mike Beebe said. “Bad Boy and Batesville have brought each other success in recent years, and I’m glad to see this relationship continue to strengthen.”

Bad Boy was established in 1998 in Diaz, Arkansas and began production at its current Batesville location in 2002. The company has experienced several expansions in its short history.

Bad Boy co-owners Phil Pulley and Robert Foster attribute the company’s continued growth and success to the superior quality of the company’s products, and most importantly to the exceptional workforce responsible for designing and producing those products.

“We have a family atmosphere and a team spirit second to none, and a group of hard working, talented, and extremely dedicated employees that have made us what we are, allowing us to continue to grow and expand,” Pulley stated. “We like to say that our products are built Bad Boy tough and Batesville proud,” Foster added.

Bad Boy currently manufactures 33 versions of zero-turn mowers. These include the AOS Diesel Series, the Outlaw and Outlaw Extreme, the MZ Series and ZT Series.

Bad Boy currently manufactures six versions of MTVs. As a result of this expansion, ten new MTVs will be added, bringing total MTV models created by Bad Boy to 16. These include a variety of gasoline, diesel and electric models with two and four seat variations. These are produced specifically for agricultural, industrial, recreational or high-performance purposes.

“On behalf of Independence County, I can’t show enough appreciation to both the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Governor’s Office for their work in making this expansion happen,” said Independence County Judge Robert Griffin. “In the spirit of partnership, we will work to contribute funding from the county level in order to enhance the project to allow the maximum number of jobs to be created locally.”

Mowers and MTVs produced by Bad Boy are available through dealers throughout the United States as well as Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

www.arktimes.com 

Blackstreet Capital Recapps Swisher Mower

October 4, 2010 -- Blackstreet Capital has recapped Swisher Mower and Machine Co., a Warrensburg, Mo.-based maker and distributor of lawn & garden power equipment. Chevy Chase, Md.-based Blackstreet is a PE firm. News of the deal was announced by Livingstone, which acted as financial adviser to Swisher.

Livingston is pleased to announce the successful recapitalization of Swisher Mower and Machine Company, Inc. (“Swisher” or the “Company”) by Blackstreet Capital (“Blackstreet”). Livingstone acted as exclusive financial advisor to Swisher. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Swisher, based in Warrensburg, Missouri, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of branded lawn & garden power equipment and accessories. The Company’s product portfolio includes zero-turn riding mowers, trailmowers, high wheel string trimmers, log splitters, and ATV attachments. Known for its superior design, materials, components, and construction, Swisher has earned the reputation as a pioneer in the industry having created and developed multiple product categories throughout the Company’s 65 year history. Swisher sells its products through a diversified and expansive network of more than 2,000 retail outlets in the U.S. and Canada.

Livingstone worked with the Company to execute a comprehensive recapitalization process in an efficient time frame. The highly competitive process was a successful outcome for the Company’s employees, shareholders, lenders and other constituents. Livingstone completed the transaction within 90 days of its engagement by the Company.

“We are thrilled to have helped forge a partnership between Swisher and Blackstreet,” said Livingstone Director Joe Greenwood. “The Swisher family and management team are to be commended for successfully navigating challenging market conditions, while positioning the Company to capitalize on several exciting growth opportunities.”