Toro 2015 Annual Report Download - page 4

enjoy a good year. Sales in our compact utility loader
product line grew nicely fueled in part by the introduction
of our all-new, award-winning Dingo® TX 1000 that
boasts an operating capacity exceeding 1,000 pounds to
lift more than any compact utility loader on the market.
Additionally, the rental industry’s continued momentum
fueled increased investments by rental business owners
to help drive demand for our rental and specialty
construction product oerings.
For the residential business, our innovative All-Wheel
Drive and SmartStow™ Recycler® walk power mowers,
and our latest zero-turn riders, helped us achieve
increased placements and increased sales. In addition,
the launch of our new, first-of-its-kind SnowMaster™
snow blower heightened preseason channel demand and
boosted our snow blower category results.
Investments in innovation
Just as it played a critical role in the success we
achieved in fiscal 2015, we expect innovation will
continue to provide a competitive advantage for our
Company in the years ahead.
For example, our BOSS team is busy developing and
testing several new products for 2016 that we expect will
help us continue to expand in the snow and ice
management industry.
Our landscape contractor businesses are also launching
a number of product enhancements across categories.
From our earliest days in the equipment business,
versatility − or the ability to adapt a piece of equipment to
perform multiple tasks − has inspired our engineers to
design a number of multi-functional products that have
resonated with customers and generated significant
sales gains. The latest examples of such innovation are
our all-new GrandStand® MULTI FORCE™ models,
featuring a Quick Attach System™ that allows contractors
to convert these stand-on mowers into multi-season
workhorses. In a matter of minutes, the mowing deck can
be switched out for a BOSS plow for clearing snow-
covered sidewalks. Now, contractors will be able to add
their GrandStand mower to their snow removal fleet and
keep their investment on the job year-round. Additional
attachments, like a heavy-duty debris blower and a
power broom, are in the works for future introductions.
Turning to golf, our Reelmaster® 5010-H Hybrid, the
industry’s first fairway mower with a true hybrid drive
system, was extremely well received when launched this
past spring and was soon cutting fairways on many
leading golf courses around the world. As expected, our
golf irrigation business had a good project year due in
part to our innovative new INFINITY® golf sprinkler heads,
along with our updated Lynx® central control software.
Demand for these innovative golf solutions remained
strong. Additionally, early next year, we plan to unveil a
number of new innovations across product categories
that we believe will be similarly well received by golf
course operators and managers.
Ongoing innovation characterizes our 2016 rental and
specialty construction line-up as well. Demand has
remained strong for our TX 1000 compact utility loader.
At the International Construction & Utility Equipment
Expo in October 2015, our new DD4050 horizontal
directional drill and the new Toro drill operating system
were well received by utility industry professionals. The
DD4050 provides increased rotary torque for optimal
performance in challenging conditions, such as drilling
through hard rock, and our new drill operating system
provides an extremely user-friendly operator experience.
As construction activity and underground infrastructure
needs continue to proliferate, so should demand for our
rental and construction solutions.
With focus on improving irrigation eciency, we expect
our advanced water-saving technologies to continue to
generate momentum in the residential, commercial and