For
Over 50 Years
1950 - Century
Equipment originated as a partnership between Bob and Don
O’Brien on Bennett Road in Toledo, Ohio, primarily
engaging in the retail sale of power mowers, selling almost
exclusively to homeowners in the Toledo and Southern Michigan
areas. It was known then as Century Power Mower Center.
1954 - Century
Power Motor Center expanded its operation to include distribution
of lawn products to dealers in the Toledo area.
1957 - Toro
Manufacturing Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota (known
now as The Toro Company) appointed Century Power Mower Center
to be the exclusive distributor of Toro products throughout
18 counties in Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan. A concentrated
effort was made to expand the wholesale phase of the business.
Within 90 days, 90 dealers were established in Northwestern
Ohio to sell Toro lawn products at the retail level. Century
Power Mower Center continued to grow and soon became one
of the leading Toro distributors in market penetration throughout
the United States.
1961 - Century
Power Mower Center was granted the Toro franchise for the
12 counties in the metropolitan Dayton, Ohio, area, and a
branch office was opened in Dayton.
1962 - The
name was changed to Century Toro Distributors to more closely
identify the company with Toro products. It was decided to
discontinue the retail sales and service operation at the
Bennett Road location. Century Toro could then concentrate
on the wholesale distribution of Toro products while continuing
the direct sales of commercial products to golf courses,
cemeteries and municipalities.
1963 - Toro
Manufacturing Corporation purchased Moist-O’Matic Irrigation
Company in Riverside, California. A separate division was
formed by Century to sell Toro irrigation systems.
1964 - Century
Toro Distributors purchased an existing Toro distributorship
in Cincinnati, Ohio.
1965 - Operations
in both Cincinnati and Dayton were relocated to a new facility
in Cincinnati, Ohio, more conveniently located close to I-75.
1972 -
Partner Don O’Brien passed away unexpectedly.
Bob O’Brien retained ownership of Century Toro Distributors.
1973 - Century
Toro Distributors purchased the Toro distributorship in Columbus,
Ohio, which added 24 counties to Century’s territory.
A branch office was opened in Columbus that included parts
and service departments and a facility to warehouse wholegoods.
1984 - Century
Toro Distributors changed its name to Century Equipment.
1985 - Century
Equipment added a golf car division for the purpose of distributing
(through leasing and sales) the Club Car® brand of golf
cars to golf courses, businesses, and individuals.
1986 - The
Columbus branch of Century Equipment moved into a new facility
in Hilliard, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus.
1990 - Marty
O’Brien was promoted to Vice President.
1992 - Marty
O’Brien became Executive Vice President. Century Equipment was assigned 18 counties in West Virginia and 55 counties in eastern Kentucky for Toro sales, and 75 counties in Kentucky for Club Car sales.
1995 - Marty
O’Brien became President, and Bob O’Brien became
Chairman of the Board.
1996 - Century
Equipment received the Toro Gold Level of Excellence Award,
which is awarded to the No. 2 distributor in the U.S. in recognition
of achievement of high customer satisfaction and sales performance
in Toro turf and irrigation.
1997 - Century
Equipment received the Club Car® Performing Distributor
Award, which is awarded to the No. 1 distributor in the U.S.
in recognition of a combination of sales achievement, customer
service and business management.
2001 - Century
Equipment purchased the Toro distributorship in Cleveland,
Ohio, which added 22 counties to Century’s territory.
Century received The Toro Company’s “Best in Landscape
Contractor Equipment” Sales & Service award for
providing its dealers with excellent customer service.
2003 -The
Toro Company recognized both Bob O’Brien and Marty O’Brien
for their many years of association with Toro: Bob for over
48 years; Marty O’Brien for 25 years.
2006 -The
Cincinnati branch of Century Equipment moved on August 15
into a 26,000 sq. ft. building on 3½ acres of land
in Hamilton, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. The facilities
include offices, service, warehouse and a training room.
The training room is 750 sq. ft. and will accommodate 30
people for updates on servicing turf equipment and golf cars,
plus irrigation maintenance.
Century Equipment has shown remarkable growth
each year and is now one of the largest distributors of Toro
products in the United States. We are ranked at the top in
market penetration, although our market potential is rated
11th in the United States. Century has also been recognized
by Club Car® as being one of its top-performing independent
distributors. These achievements are accomplished through
the team effort of key personnel, who are interested in the
welfare of the company and work closely to promote the future
development of Century Equipment.
In summary, Century Equipment’s divisions are structured
as follows:
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