In September, the company reported record net earnings of $42.5 million on net sales of $478.7 million for its fiscal third quarter ended Aug. 3.

Professional sales for the fiscal 2007 third quarter increased 3.8 percent to $332 million. The increase resulted primarily from strong worldwide growth in shipments of landscape contractor equipment.

Professional segment net sales for the year-to-date increased 3.9 percent to $1,052 million. The strong results reflect increased worldwide shipments of equipment for golf courses, sports field and grounds products and irrigation systems.

The increase, however, was offset by a year-to-date decline in landscape contractor shipments.

Compared with the 2006 third quarter, strong growth in domestic shipments of zero-turning-radius riding mowers was offset by a significant decline in snowthrower shipments. The decline in snowthrower shipments was primarily due to the impact of the mild winter in the previous snow season.