FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 20, 2009

Contact:
Kathleen C. Searle
Vice President – Communications
706.560.6036
ksearle@textron.com

Brandon Haddock
Manager – Marketing Communications
706.772.5931
bhaddock@textron.com

E-Z-GO Named Finalist for Industry Week's Best Plants 2009

Honor Marks Second Consecutive Year E-Z-GO Has Been Named a Finalist

(AUGUSTA, GA) — For the second consecutive year, E-Z-GO, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been named a finalist for Industry Week magazine’s Best Plants Award. The award recognizes outstanding North American manufacturing facilities which, in the magazine’s words, "are on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction, and create stimulating and rewarding work environments."

E-Z-GO’s World Headquarters in Augusta, Ga., which manufactures all E-Z-GO vehicles sold worldwide, was one of only 20 finalists announced today by the magazine.

"E-Z-GO is humbled and honored to be named once again as a finalist for Industry Week’s Best Plants Award," said Kevin P. Holleran, president of E-Z-GO. "This honor is a testament to the commitment and passion of our employees to improving our business operations and driving customer satisfaction. It is truly our employees who lead our continuous improvement every step of the way."

The 664,000-square-foot plant manufactures all E-Z-GO makes and models, from the state-of-the-art RXV fleet golf car to the popular ST line of personal utility vehicles. The company’s newest manufacturing line, the RXV line, incorporates "smart tools," ergonomic workstations, natural lighting, and other high-tech advances to drive product quality, conserve energy and resources, and minimize environmental impacts.

E-Z-GO’s philosophy of continuous improvement and its employment of Lean methodology and Six Sigma practices have led to dramatic strides forward in eliminating wasteful practices and driving enhanced productivity and customer satisfaction.

"Although we’ve made tremendous progress, this is only the beginning," Holleran said. "E-Z-GO is committed to continued innovation and improvement so that we can continue to exceed our customers’ expectations, support our community, protect our environment, and drive value for Textron shareholders."

The honor is the latest in a string of honors for E-Z-GO and its manufacturing facilities. Besides being named a finalist for Industry Week’s Best Plants Award in 2008 and 2009, E-Z-GO also received the prestigious Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence – dubbed the "Nobel Prize of manufacturing" by Business Week magazine – in April 2009. E-Z-GO is the first and only company to receive the prize at the enterprise level – meaning that E-Z-GO was recognized for world-class status at all of its geographic locations and across all business functions, including manufacturing, engineering, sales, finance, marketing, communications, supply chain management, information technology, and human resources.

The company also has been featured for its manufacturing and operational excellence in several recent publications, including a cover feature in IMPO magazine in April 2008.

Ten of the 2009 Industry Week’s Best Plants Award finalists will be selected to win the prestigious award. Winners of the 2009 award will be announced in January 2010.

About E-Z-GO

E-Z-GO, a Textron Company, is a leading manufacturer of golf cars and utility vehicles. E-Z-GO is the preferred golf car fleet provider for seven of the top 10 of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses as ranked by Golf Digest. E-Z-GO is also the golf car of choice of nine of the nation’s 10 largest course-management companies. E-Z-GO boasts the largest sales and service network in the industry, with more factory branch locations and independent distributors than any other manufacturer.

More than a maker of golf cars, E-Z-GO is also a leading provider of industrial, turf and utility vehicles for a variety of applications and industries. Products under the E-Z-GO flagship include the Shuttle Personnel Carrier, ST Trail Utility vehicles, and the Clays Car, the world’s first vehicle designed specifically for the sporting clays shooter. E-Z-GO also produces the Cushman line of heavy duty burden carriers.

Founded in 1954 in Augusta Ga., E-Z-GO became part of Textron Inc. in 1960. Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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 Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.

About Textron

Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, 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 Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.

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Special note to Editors:  The correct spelling of ‘E-Z-GO’ is with all capital letters and two hyphens.

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