Ethics & Integrity

OUR CODE OF CONDUCT

image of ethical worker at Toro

The Toro Company's Code of Conduct is the cornerstone of our ethics and compliance program and is the foundation upon which we will continue to build our legacy as an ethical organization. Our Code of Conduct serves as a guidepost of who we want to be as a company and how we want our employees to behave - it provides the framework for ethical decision-making. Every employee plays a critical role in safeguarding and maintaining our reputation and is responsible for proper conduct every day, with every business decision and action. Our commitment to conducting business in an ethical manner results in The Toro Company being a trusted partner to all of our stakeholders – employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, communities and others.

Our commitment to ethical conduct is further evidenced through concerted and innovative methods to educate and engage our employees in how to apply the key principles of our Code, including through robust, interactive training, communications, videos and even humor, when appropriate, to help ensure that our ethical principles resonate across our enterprise. In addition, we provide training to our global employee population, including management, on the importance of complying with anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. Our Board of Directors annually receives a report from management on our Code of Conduct and Ethics program.

Employees are also encouraged to trust their instincts and immediately report any concerns in good faith without fear of retaliation. As such, employees can report concerns anonymously, if they so choose. To facilitate reporting and/or inquiries on our Code of Conduct, we offer a global employee helpline with translation in 8 languages. Our management is committed to responding to concerns or ideas submitted through our helpline. As just one example, after receiving a comment from an employee through our helpline, we eliminated the use of Styrofoam in our headquarters’ cafeteria and switched to using compostable containers.

WE BELIEVE IN WINNING IN THE RIGHT WAY.

100%

OF PRODUCTION FACILITIES COMPLETED CODE OF CONDUCT & ETHICS TRAINING IN FY2020*

* Including anti-bribery and anti-corruption training; and over 99% of our office employee population completed code of conduct, ethics, anti-bribery and anti-corruption training in FY2019.

MELROSE & THE TORO COMPANY CENTER FOR PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP

Ken Melrose Kendrick “Ken” B. Melrose, legendary former chairman and chief executive officer of The Toro Company, was an extraordinary person, whose wide-ranging accomplishments were driven by his unwavering commitment to serving others. This core value enabled him to positively impact so many throughout his professional career, during his post-retirement mission to advance the principles of Servant Leadership, and in his generous philanthropic efforts.

Ken joined the company in 1970 and led the organization for 24 years before retiring in 2005. In retirement, Ken founded Leading by Serving, LLC. In this role, he wrote and traveled extensively to promote Servant Leadership principles in both public and private organizations. A champion for ethics, Ken also gave tirelessly of his time and energy to the academic community. In particular, he served as chairman of the advisory board for the University of St. Thomas – Opus College of Business Center for Ethics in Practice – in addition to having held the University’s Holloran Endowed Professorship and being a popular lecturer on business ethics and principled leadership.

To further build upon Ken’s legacy and recognize his long-standing commitment to the University of St. Thomas, The Toro Company – in partnership with retired chairman and CEO Mike Hoffman and his wife Tami – established the Melrose & The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership at the Opus College of Business. The new Center seeks to foster professional engagement on principled leadership, and public dialogue on the greater societal purpose of business advancing the common good.

“We owe much to Ken’s principled leadership, and his legacy cannot be overstated,” said Rick Olson, chairman and CEO of The Toro Company. “He was a rare transformational leader who saw the best in people and knew how to inspire them to work together and exceed their own expectations in order to achieve great things.”

WINNING THE RIGHT WAY

TTC’s success is founded on a long history of caring relationships based on trust and integrity. These relationships are the foundation on which we build market leadership with the best in innovative products and solutions to make outdoor environments beautiful. We are all entrusted to carry on this legacy of excellence.