Company Profile
Excel Industries Inc.
Company Overview
Excel Industries is a leading manufacturer of turf care products. Located in Hesston, Kansas, Excel is a proud producer of the Hustler Turf Equipment and BigDog Mower Company product lines. Visit Hustlerturf.com and bigdogmowerco.com
Company History
Hustler Turf Equipment was born of a simple need - a mower that would maneuver the irregular landscape of the family home - complete with bird baths, gardens, and winding front walkways. The first Hustler was a compilation of mower parts and farm machinery, created by a genius named John Regier. Mr. Regier’s mower cut grass and steered like no other. It could hug a flag pole or reverse directions at a fence line, with a turning radius of zero. With this, the world’s first zero-turn mower was born.
And it changed everything
Excel was incorporated on January 16, 1960. The Company began in a modest way producing Combine and Tractor Cabs.
The present Plant I building was initially built in 1964, with significant plant expansions occurring in 1966, 1973, 1981, 1988, and 1989. Plant II was purchased in 1982. In 2003 Plant 4 was built.
The Company began producing commercial rotary lawn mowers in 1967, and that product continues to be the Company’s primary focus today. The Company has produced many innovations in turf products, including the first dual-hydrostatic zero-turn mower, the first wide-area wing mower, and most recently, the first zero-turn mower that has a park brake integrated into the steering control levers. The introduction of the Hustler Z and Super Z (the world’s fastest production lawn mower at the time of its introduction) in 2001 propelled the Company into the heart of the commercial lawn contractor market.
In 2002, the Company introduced the Fastrak, a lighter-duty zero-turn rider that is aimed at the high-end homeowner market. It has been extremely well received by the Company’s rapidly growing dealer network and the retail purchaser.
The Company enjoys the reputation of building a durable, highly productive, high quality lawn mower. Every employee in the Company plays an important role in helping maintain that reputation in the market place.
Notable Products / Brands
Hustler/BigDog