Dixie Chopper was the talk of the town at last week’s GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Ky., as the mower manufacturer marched into the show with a military-themed campaign called “Chopper Army” that helped showcase several new mowing weapons added to the company's arsenal.

The Chopper Army theme was carried out in Dixie Chopper’s indoor and outdoor booths, along with the GIE+EXPO’s concert Wednesday evening featuring Montgomery Gentry. Included in the booths were a Bell 407 helicopter, an armored vehicle, a mower parachuting in from above and a ive bald eagle. Dixie Chopper brand ambassadors were on hand during the concert to blast out t- shirts and interact with attendees next to a full-size World War II tank.

The Chopper Army theme represents Dixie Chopper’s renewed competitive power as part of the Jacobsen and Textron global businesses. Textron companies including Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, and Bad Boy Buggies were all highlighted in the booth displays.

At GIE+EXPO, Dixie Chopper introduced its new 2015 product line-up, which features walk-behind and stand-on units and several updates to the existing XCaliber and Classic series zero-turn mowers.

The all-new Pursuit walk-behind comes standard with an 18 HP Briggs and Stratton engine and includes 32”, 36”, and 44” deck options. The Pursuit features single and dual hydro options and can reach up to 7 miles per hour.

The Stryker Stand-On features a 26 HP Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine with 48” and 54” deck options. The Stryker includes a large operator platform that can be flipped to be used as a conventional walk-behind.

The XCaliber and Classic series have been the choice for commercial cutters for several years.

For 2015, the Classic series will offer 27 HP, 31 HP, and 35 HP Kawasaki FX; 34 HP Kohler EFI; and 36 HP Vanguard engine options (depending on deck size). The XCaliber engine options (also depending on deck size) now include 31 HP and 35 HP Kawasaki FX; 33 HP and 34 HP Kohler EFI; and 36 HP Vanguard. Updates to the commercial lines also include a new deck lift system and increased ground speed of 13 miles per hour.

“The Chopper Army has definitely helped us generate a lot of excitement about our new and upgraded products,” said Chris Vernon, Vice President and General Manager of Dixie Chopper.

“The booth traffic and customer engagement exceeded our expectations. We also need to give credit to GIE+EXPO organizers, who put on a very well-run and well-attended show.”

About Dixie Chopper

Founded in 1980, Dixie Chopper revolutionized the entire lawn and garden industry by providing the first zero-turn lawn mowers built specifically for commercial mowing contractors. Today Dixie Chopper continues to lead the industry in innovation and quality. Known as "the World's Fastest Lawn Mower," Dixie Chopper mowers are about much more than being fast. The company prides itself on providing quality and reliability in addition to speed. To learn more about Dixie Chopper and view the complete line-up of zero-turn lawn mowers, visit the company's website at www.dixiechopper.com. Dixie Chopper is owned by Jacobsen, a Textron (NYSE: TXT) Company.

About Textron

Textron is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services.

Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. For more information visit: www.textron.com.