Exmark Manufacturing showed off its new corporate headquarters building, while celebrating the company’s 40th anniversary. Governor Pete Ricketts was on hand for the observance at the Gage County Industrial Park.
Exmark, a division of the Toro Company, is one of the area’s major employers, and manufactures lawn and turf care equipment. Toro Company President and CEO, Rick Olson said the company is number one in the landscape professional market because of dedicated employees.
“You exemplify the world class innovation, creativity and commitment to quality that Exmark and the Toro Company are known for. Your care is evident in every machine that comes off the line. You take enormous pride in the products you build…and you care about helping your customers grow their business, and beautify the land.”
Olson said Exmark has shown significant growth since becoming a part of Minneapolis-based Toro, in 1997. Those attending the building dedication were shown a brief history of renovations coordinated by the Ryan Company.
Governor Pete Ricketts participated in the ribbon-cutting for the 30,000 foot headquarters. He said manufacturing, the second-largest industry in the state behind agriculture, is showing a big resurgence in the Nebraska, with over 101,000 people employed…the most since 2008.
“That’s a great deal for us…because according to the National Association of Manufacturers…here in Nebraska, overall compensation of manufacturing jobs is about twenty thousand dollars a year higher than the average job in Nebraska. So, manufacturing jobs are great jobs for our families here in the state.”
Ricketts praised Exmark and its employees for their role in also making their communities better. “Last year, the Big Rock program gave $25,000 to the Diller Community Park to be able to improve that park. In 2020, it gave $100,000 to the YMCA in Beatrice for their capital campaign. And that’s not all….the United Way of Gage County got $70,000 last year from Exmark. They give away lawnmowers to schools, gift cards to seniors. They allow people who work here to take work time to be able to work on volunteer projects…in fact even put money in if a dozen or so get together on a project, such as beautification of the Four-H grounds. So, they are a great community player.”
Ricketts called attention to administration and legislative efforts to develop the worker talent pool in Nebraska, and this year’s legislative approval of a package of tax cuts he described as historic, that eventually will generate $3.4 billion in relief.
“We are going to continue to be competitive and see that investment. Not only do we see that investment here with Exmark but we see it from a variety of companies. Nucor last summer invested in their facility in Norfolk. AGP is building a crush facility in David City. Kawasaki made a $200 million investment in Lincoln that’s going to create another 300 jobs there. We just see it all over the state….companies are investing in our state, bringing those job opportunities for our Nebraska families.”
Exmark General Manager Daryn Walters said within the new headquarters, the company will develop new and advance technologies to push the green industry forward. Those attending the ceremony were provided tours of the new headquarters building…..a part of the Exmark campus in the Gage County Industrial Park.