Facility will support manufacturing operations in Minnesota and
Nebraska to improve efficiencies
BLOOMINGTON, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 19, 2012--
In an effort to support growth and improve operational efficiency, The
Toro Company today announced that it is partnering with Ryan Companies
to build a 450,000 square-foot distribution center near Des Moines, IA.
Toro will ultimately lease the facility from Ryan once construction is
completed later this year. At that time, Toro will transition
distribution operations from its current facilities in Lakeville, MN,
and Beatrice, NE, to the new Des Moines facility. The facility will
employ approximately 20 people.
The new location will primarily distribute Toro and Exmark-branded
residential and landscape contractor turf maintenance equipment to
distributors, dealers and The Home Depot® in the U.S. and Canada. These
products are mostly produced at the company’s manufacturing facilities
in Windom, MN, and Beatrice.
“With growth in our Residential and Landscape Contractor businesses,
this larger facility creates expansion flexibility as we work towards
our Destination 2014 revenue and profitability goals, and operational
efficiencies by being in close proximity to both our Windom and Beatrice
manufacturing plants,” said Judy Altmaier, vice president of operations
and quality management at The Toro Company. “The Des Moines location
also provides good transportation infrastructure and site access. We are
excited to partner with Ryan on this project given our strong
relationship, and their role in building our Tomah, WI, distribution
center in 2010.”
“Ryan is honored to have earned the trust of Toro on this new build
project in Des Moines,” said Casey Hankinson, vice president of
development at Ryan Companies. “We competed against several strong teams
for this opportunity and through Ryan’s integrated project delivery
platform we are able to provide Toro with a new distribution center that
fits their needs at a competitive price. Ryan has enjoyed its business
relationship with Toro and has the utmost respect for their company and
the people that are working with us on this project.”
“Job creation is foremost in our economic development strategy for
Iowa,” said Terry E. Branstad, Governor of Iowa. “The Toro Company will
create at least 20 high quality jobs with this distribution center, jobs
that could have gone somewhere else. We welcome Toro to Iowa and we look
forward to their successful partnership with Ryan Companies in
developing this project.”
“Ankeny is pleased that The Toro Company has made the decision to invest
in our community,” said Ankeny Mayor Steve Van Oort. “The company's
choice affirms that Ankeny is a place where businesses can be
successful.”
"Congratulations to Toro and Ryan Companies on this exciting venture,"
said economic development leader Jay Byers, CEO of the Greater Des
Moines Partnership. "Central Iowa's strategic location central to the
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago, Kansas City and Omaha metros offers Toro
key competitive strength for distribution and logistics, which will help
them in accomplishing their growth goals. We were pleased to work with
our partners in Ankeny and the State of Iowa in assisting Toro and Ryan
Companies in creating jobs and expanding business opportunity in Central
Iowa."
Added Brad Schoenfelder, vice president of development at Ryan
Companies, “This is not only a vote of confidence in Ryan Companies, but
also in Iowa. We are pleased our proven track record with Toro helped
tee up this opportunity for the Greater Des Moines area.”
About The Toro Company
The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a
leading worldwide provider of turf and landscape maintenance equipment,
and precision irrigation systems. With sales of nearly $1.9 billion in
fiscal 2011, Toro’s global presence extends to more than 90 countries
through its reputation of world-class service, innovation and turf
expertise. Since 1914, the company has built a tradition of excellence
around a number of strong brands to help customers care for golf
courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential
properties, and agricultural fields. More information is available at www.toro.com.
About Ryan Companies, US, Inc.
Ryan is a national builder,
designer, developer and real estate manager specializing in fully
integrated solutions for more than 70 years. With a mission to build
lasting relationships, Ryan delivers full-service customized solutions
based on industry expertise and total collaboration — pairing a
customer’s needs and expectations with a specialized team of
constructors, architects, engineers, developers, property managers and
financiers. The result: 77% of Ryan’s business is from repeat customers
and 95% of customers are highly satisfied with Ryan’s project delivery.
Ryan serves customers and communities throughout the US with offices in
the Midwest, Southwest, Great Lakes, South central and Southeast
regions. For more information please visit www.ryancompanies.com.
Source: The Toro Company
The Toro Company
Branden Happel, 952-887-8930
Senior Manager,
Public Relations
branden.happel@toro.com
or
Padilla
Speer Beardsley, Inc.
Madeline Riggs, 612-455-1755
mriggs@psbpr.com
