Toro 2014 Annual Report Download - page 11

automatic irrigation. Electric controllers activate valves and sprin- landscape contractor and grounds equipment markets, such as
klers in a typical irrigation system. Both the Toro and Irritrol brands contractors, municipalities, and other governmental entities.
have achieved Environmental Protection Agency (‘‘EPA’’) Water- Rental and Specialty Construction Market. Our compact utility
Sense certification for numerous irrigation controller families and loaders are the cornerstone products for our Toro Sitework Sys-
models. Our Irritrol Climate Logic smart device automatically tems business, which are designed to improve the efficiency in
adjusts irrigation system watering times based on real-time creation and renovation of landscapes. We offer over 35 attach-
weather data from an on-site sensor combined with historical aver- ments for our compact utility loaders, including trenchers, augers,
ages, while our award-winning Toro Precision soil sensor wire- vibratory plows, and backhoes.
lessly transmits soil moisture content to an irrigation controller and Products for the rental market include compact utility loaders,
signals whether or not watering is needed. Our Precision Spray walk-behind trenchers, stump grinders, and turf renovation prod-
Nozzles & Precision Soil Sensor are intended to deliver an opti- ucts, many of which are also sold to landscape contractors. We
mum precipitation rate and superior distribution uniformity, resulting also have a line of rental products that feature concrete and mortar
in the use of less water without affecting the health of landscapes. mixers, material handlers, compaction equipment, and other con-
The EVOLUTION controller is an intuitive, menu-based controller crete power tools.
family that offers computer programming, lighting control, multiple Our presence in the specialty construction market is driven by
soil sensors, smart add-ons, and downloadable updates through a an equipment line of vibratory plows, riding trenchers, horizontal
USB device. In fiscal 2014, we launched the T5 Rotor with Rapid- directional drills, and compaction equipment, all of which are used
Set technology, allowing convenient arc adjustment with no tools, in the installation, repair, and replacement of underground utilities.
as well as a built-in clutch to protect gear damage. In fiscal 2014, we introduced the RT600 and RT1200 Riding
Our retail irrigation products are marketed under the Toro and Trenchers, as well as the DD2024 and DD4045 Directional Drills
Lawn Genie brand names. These products are designed for home- as Toro-branded products. In addition, in fiscal 2014, we began
owner installation and include sprinkler heads, valves, timers, sen- offering a version of our Pro Sneak Vibratory Plow that is compli-
sors, and drip irrigation systems. The XTRA SMART ECXTRAant with Tier 4 diesel engine emission requirements.
sprinkler timer and its intuitive, online Scheduling Advisor recom-
Micro-Irrigation Market. Products for the micro-irrigation market
mends the proper watering schedule based on the local weather,
include products that regulate the flow of water for drip irrigation,
plant type, and sprinkler type.
including Aqua-Traxx PBX drip tape, Aqua-Traxx PC (pressure-
We manufacture and market lighting products under the Unique
compensating) drip tape, Blue Stripe polyethylene tubing, Blue-
Lighting Systems brand name consisting of a line of high quality,
Line drip line, and NGE emitters, all used in agriculture, mining,
professionally installed lighting fixtures and transformers for resi-
and landscape applications. Global food demand and increased
dential and commercial landscapes. Our lighting product line is
water use restrictions have continued to drive the need for more
offered through distributors and landscape contractors that also
efficient irrigation solutions for agriculture, including our Neptune
purchase our irrigation products. The LIGHT LOGIC remote con-
thin wall drip line with flat emitter technology. In addition to these
trol system provides operators with wireless scene control for land-
core products, we offer a full complement of control devices and
scape lighting and can upgrade existing systems with expanded
connection options to complete the system, including a software
control. In fiscal 2014, we continued to expand our offering of
package used to help design drip irrigation systems. These prod-
FLEX Series drop-in LEDs to include several high-powered mod-
ucts are sold mainly through dealers and distributors who then sell
els with a built-in Smart Cool system that automatically cools
to end-users for use primarily in vegetable fields, fruit and nut
down the lamp should the system experience excessive heat. In
orchards, vineyards, landscapes, and mines.
fiscal 2014, we also acquired certain assets of a quality value-
priced line of outdoor lighting fixtures for the landscape lighting Residential – We market our residential products to homeowners
market. through a variety of distribution channels, including outdoor power
equipment distributors and dealers, hardware retailers, home cen-
Snow and Ice Management Market. During the first quarter of
ters, mass retailers, and over the Internet. These products are sold
fiscal 2015, we acquired the BOSS professional snow and ice
mainly in North America, Europe, and Australia, with the exception
management business, as previously discussed. Products for the
of snow thrower products that are sold primarily in North America
snow and ice management market are marketed under the BOSS
and Europe. We also license our trademark on certain home solu-
brand and include snowplows, salt and sand spreaders, and
tions products as a means of expanding our brand presence.
related parts and accessories for light and medium duty trucks,
ATVs, UTVs, skid steers, and front-end loaders. These products Walk Power Mower Products. We manufacture and market
are mainly sold through distributors and dealers, who then sell to numerous walk power mower models under our Toro and
end-users that primarily are the same customers as those in our Lawn-Boy brand names, as well as the Hayter brand in the United
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