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 Mower 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 50 years; Marty O’Brien for 30 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.

2008 -Century Equipment expanded its territory with the Consumer Division into Western Pennsylvania and acquired additional counties in West Virginia.

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: