John Deere Landscapes and LESCO Plan Merger

ALPHARETTA, GA (February 20, 2007)
John Deere Landscapes, Alpharetta, GA, and LESCO, Inc, Cleveland, OH, announced today that John Deere Landscapes has agreed to purchase LESCO, Inc. The companies have signed an agreement and plan of merger, although the transaction is subject to LESCO shareholder and regulatory approval.

According to Dave Werning, President of John Deere Landscapes, “This acquisition will give both companies’ existing customers a broader and deeper range of products and services, coupled with the comfort of working with staffs that are experienced, and possess the expertise for such wide and diverse products. Contractors are looking for more efficiency in their business and by streamlining the purchasing process, we are responding. Our response will include more products, an expert staff for all product lines and a full range of non-product business solutions. It’s not just about products anymore. It’s about making the contractor’s business easier and more profitable. LESCO’s model and people know this, and are a natural fit with John Deere Landscapes.”

John Deere Landscapes is a 300-store nationwide leading distributor of irrigation, nursery stock, outdoor lighting and landscape supplies primarily to the installation and new construction markets. LESCO is the market leader in the distribution of professional products to the lawn care, maintenance and golf course markets, with over 330 stores nationwide and 125 Stores On Wheels. Both companies have a Direct Sales staff with John Deere Landscapes’ focusing on nursery products and LESCO focusing on care and maintenance products.

If you would like to learn more about John Deere Landscapes, please call 1-800-347-4272, and to learn more about LESCO, please visit their website at www.LESCO.com.