The Toro Company is bringing in a new technology chief as it looks to advance equipment innovation and coordinate engineering efforts across its business.

Neal  Lackritz joined the Bloomington, Minn. -based company as vice president and chief technology officer on Nov. 2. The newly created position puts him in charge of the company’s global engineering organization and its Center for Technology, Research and Innovation.

Lackritz will oversee technology development across Toro’s portfolio, with a focus on autonomous systems, alternative power and connected equipment. The company said the role is intended to bring its technology plans into closer alignment, help direct investments and make better use of shared platforms.

A Focus on Emerging Technologies

Toro makes equipment and solutions for industries ranging from landscaping and irrigation to underground construction and snow and ice management. As technology changes how that equipment operates, the company is looking to coordinate development efforts across its different businesses.

Lackritz brings more than 30 years of experience in technology leadership, including work in automotive, robotics, outdoor equipment and consumer hardware. His background includes autonomous systems, electrification, connected products and embedded controls.

He joins Toro from Whisker, where he served as vice president of engineering and led engineering strategy and development. He previously held the role of vice president of advanced development at Ariens Corp. and worked in senior technology positions at Genesis Motion Solutions, Apple and Bose.

“Throughout his career, he has built and transformed high-performing engineering organizations by uniting teams around clear priorities, shared technology platforms, and disciplined execution,” said Edric Funk, Toro’s president and chief operating officer.

Funk said Lackritz’s experience working across teams will help the company advance its technology strategy and develop solutions for customers.

Engineering for What Comes Next

Lackritz holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also pursued doctoral studies at MIT.

The appointment comes as Toro looks to build on its existing equipment lineup while developing new technologies for customers across its markets, the company said. The company reported $4.5 billion in net sales for fiscal 2025 and operates in more than 125 countries.