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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 12, 2000  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> UNDER  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>THE TORO COMPANY  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="46%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>41-0580470</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="46%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="22%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>8111 Lyndale Avenue South<BR>
Bloomington, Minnesota 55420<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the plan) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>J. Lawrence McIntyre, Esquire<BR>
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel<BR>
The Toro Company<BR>
8111 Lyndale Avenue South<BR>
Bloomington, Minnesota 55420<BR>
Telephone number: (952)&nbsp;888-8801<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Copy to:  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Helen P. Starr, Esquire<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>Perkins Coie LLP<BR>
607 Fourteenth Street, N.W.<BR>
Washington, D.C. 20005 </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of securities<BR>
to be registered</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to<BR>
be registered</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
maximum<BR>
offering price<BR>
per share</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
maximum<BR>
aggregate<BR>
offering price</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of<BR>
registration fee</B></FONT><BR></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share(a)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>1,000,000 shares(b)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$35.25(c)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$35,250,000(c)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$9,306(d)</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Each
share of Common Stock includes one Preferred Share Purchase Right pursuant to the Rights Agreement dated May&nbsp;20, 1998. Value attributable to such Rights, if any, is
reflected in the market price of the Common Stock.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>An
indeterminate number of shares will be issued from time to time to participants pursuant to the Plan.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
solely to calculate the registration fee, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(c), on the basis of the average of the high and low prices reported in the consolidated reporting
system on June&nbsp;7, 2000, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(d)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Restricted
fee to be applied to account number 737758. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<H2><FONT SIZE=2> </FONT></H2>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja2247_part_i"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>PART I         </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All information required by Part&nbsp;I to be contained in the prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule&nbsp;428
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ja2247_part_ii_information_required_i__par03530"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>       INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE         </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporation of Documents by Reference.  </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission allow the Registrant to "incorporate by reference" information into this Registration Statement. This means
that the Registrant may disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
following documents have been filed by the Registrant with the SEC and are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>1.</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Registrant's
Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended October&nbsp;31, 1999 (File No.&nbsp;1-8649).
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>2.</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Its
Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended April&nbsp;28, 2000 (File No.&nbsp;1-8649).
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>3.</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
descriptions of its Common Stock and Preferred Share Purchase Rights contained in its Registration Statements filed with the Commission pursuant to Section&nbsp;12 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such descriptions (File No.&nbsp;1-8649). </FONT></DD></DL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
documents subsequently filed by Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be part of this Registration Statement from the date of filing of those documents. The information contained in a document will automatically update and
supersede any information previously incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;Description of Securities.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Common Stock is registered under Section&nbsp;12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.  </B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The opinion of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered, which is Exhibit&nbsp;5 to this Registration Statement, is rendered by J.
Lawrence McIntyre, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel to Registrant. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This
Registration Statement incorporates the consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedules of Registrant as of October&nbsp;31, 1999 and for each of
the years in the three-year period ended October&nbsp;31, 1999. Registrant relies on the reports and expertise of KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants, in incorporating
these financial statements. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;Indemnification of Directors and Officers.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware empowers a corporation incorporated under the statute to indemnify its directors,
officers, employees and agents and its former directors, officers, employees and agents and those who serve in such capacities with another enterprise </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-1</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
at the corporation's request against expenses (including attorneys' fees), as well as judgments, fines and settlements, actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding in which they or any of them were or are made parties or are threatened to be made parties by reason of their serving or having served in such capacity. The power to indemnify exists only
where such officer, director, employee or agent has acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, in the case of a
criminal action, where such person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Unless a court determines to the contrary, a corporation has no power of indemnification in an action or
suit by or in the right of the corporation, where such person has been adjudged liable to the corporation. Indemnification against expenses is mandatory to the extent a claim, issue or matter has been
successfully defended. Indemnification and advancement of expenses are not deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of
stockholders or otherwise. A Delaware corporation also has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person it has the power to indemnify, whether or not indemnity against
liability would be allowed under the statute. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;2
of Article&nbsp;XI of the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation mandates indemnification of a director or officer of Registrant or a person serving at the
request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law against expenses, liability and loss and
authorizes the Board to express such rights in written contracts. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;1
of Article&nbsp;XI of the Registrant's Certificate of the Incorporation provides, in accordance with Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, for the elimination or limitation of the personal liability of a director to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director under certain
circumstances. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant also maintains liability insurance policies which provide for indemnification of a director or officer of Registrant or a person serving at the request of the
Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity against certain liabilities under certain circumstances. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exemption from Registration Claimed.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits.  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The exhibits are listed in the exhibit index. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;Undertakings.  </B></FONT></P>

<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>1.</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Rule&nbsp;415
offering. </FONT></DD></DL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<UL>
<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(i)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>To
include any prospectus required by section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(ii)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-2</FONT></P>

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<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(iii)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement; </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>provided,
however, that paragraphs (1)(i)&nbsp;and (1)(ii)&nbsp;do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained
in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section&nbsp;13 or section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering. </FONT></P>

<UL>
<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Filings
incorporating subsequent Securities Exchange Act of 1934 documents by reference. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant
to section&nbsp;13(a) or
section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h)&nbsp;Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-3</FONT></P>

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<H2><FONT SIZE=2> </FONT></H2>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc2247_signatures"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES         </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant.</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bloomington, State of Minnesota on the 23rd day of May, 2000. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="48%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>THE TORO COMPANY<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2>(Registrant)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="48%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="46%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>J. LAWRENCE MCINTYRE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> J. Lawrence McIntyre,<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><I>Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel</I></FONT></TD>
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<BR>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc2247_power_of_attorney"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY         </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and
appoints Kendrick B. Melrose, Stephen P. Wolfe and J. Lawrence McIntyre, or any one of them, each with power to act without the other, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and/or all subsequent amendments to this registration
statement, and to file the same, or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,
hereby approving and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Signature</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="29%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>&nbsp;<BR> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>KENDRICK B. MELROSE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Kendrick B. Melrose</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>STEPHEN P. WOLFE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Stephen P. Wolfe</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>RANDY B. JAMES</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Randy B. James</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
<BR></FONT>
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-4</FONT></P>

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<TABLE WIDTH="76%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>RONALD O. BAUKOL</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Ronald O. Baukol</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR></FONT>
<HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Robert C. Buhrmaster</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>WINSLOW H. BUXTON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Winslow H. Buxton</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JANET K. COOPER</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Janet K. Cooper</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>KATHERINE J. HARLESS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Katherine J. Harless</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ROBERT H. NASSAU</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Robert H. Nassau</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DALE R. OLSETH</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Dale R. Olseth</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>CHRISTOPHER A. TWOMEY</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Christopher A. Twomey</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR></FONT>
<HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Gregg W. Steinhafel</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>EDWIN H. WINGATE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Edwin H. Wingate</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
May&nbsp;23, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="48%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-5</FONT></P>

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<H2><FONT SIZE=2> </FONT></H2>
<BR>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka2247_exhibit_list"> </A></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT LIST         </B></FONT></P>

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<TABLE WIDTH="79%" BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit<BR>
Number</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="85%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Description</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Specimen form of Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c) to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 2-94417)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 33-16125)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation dated December 9, 1986 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 30, 1987, Commission File
No. 1-8649)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>(d)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Certificate of Designation to Certificate of Incorporation dated May 28, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (c)(1) to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 27, 1998, Commission File No. 1-8649)
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>(e)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Bylaws of Registrant, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) and 4(d) to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 1999)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>(f)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Rights Agreement dated as of May 20, 1998, between the Registrant and Norwest Bank Minnesota National Association, relating to rights to purchase Series B Junior Participating Voting Preferred Stock (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (c)(1) to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 27, 1998, Commission File No. 1-8649).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>(g)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Indenture dated as of January 31, 1997 between Registrant and First National Trust Association, as Trustee, relating to Registrant's 7.125% Notes due June 15, 2007 and its 7.80% Debentures due June 15, 2027 (incorporated
by reference Exhibit 4(a) to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K for June 24, 1997, Commission File No. 1-8649).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of counsel regarding legality.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of KPMG LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>23</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of counsel (contained in Exhibit 5).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Powers of Attorney (contained in signature pages).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<BR>
<H2><FONT SIZE=2><A NAME="00STP2247_1">QuickLinks</A></FONT></H2>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#ja2247_part_i">PART I</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#ja2247_part_ii_information_required_i__par03530">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#jc2247_signatures">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#jc2247_power_of_attorney">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></FONT><BR>
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<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#ka2247_exhibit_list">EXHIBIT LIST</A></FONT><BR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "s-8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 37189}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "TORO CO", "cik": "0000737758", "assigned-sic": "3524", "irs-number": "410580470", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1031"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-39052", "film-number": "653043"}, "business-address": {"street1": "8111 LYNDALE AVE SOUTH", "city": "BLOOMINGTON", "state": "MN", "zip": "55420-1196", "phone": "6128888801"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "8111 LYNDALE AVENUE SOUTH", "city": "BLOOMINGTON", "state": "MN", "zip": "55420"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "TORO CO/DE", "date-changed": "19920703"}}
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 12, 2000
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
THE TORO COMPANY
(Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)
Delaware
41-0580470
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55420
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
J. Lawrence McIntyre, Esquire
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
The Toro Company
8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55420
Telephone number: (952) 888-8801
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Copy to:
Helen P. Starr, Esquire
Perkins Coie LLP
607 Fourteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities
to be registered
Amount to
be registered
Proposed
maximum
offering price
per share
Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price
Amount of
registration fee
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share(a)
1,000,000 shares(b)
$35.25(c)
$35,250,000(c)
$9,306(d)
(a)
Each
share of Common Stock includes one Preferred Share Purchase Right pursuant to the Rights Agreement dated May 20, 1998. Value attributable to such Rights, if any, is
reflected in the market price of the Common Stock.
(b)
An
indeterminate number of shares will be issued from time to time to participants pursuant to the Plan.
(c)
Estimated
solely to calculate the registration fee, pursuant to Rule 457(c), on the basis of the average of the high and low prices reported in the consolidated reporting
system on June 7, 2000, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape.
(d)
Restricted
fee to be applied to account number 737758.
PART I
All information required by Part I to be contained in the prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Item 3.  Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission allow the Registrant to "incorporate by reference" information into this Registration Statement. This means
that the Registrant may disclose important information to you by referring you to another document.
The
following documents have been filed by the Registrant with the SEC and are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
1.
Registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999 (File No. 1-8649).
2.
Its
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 28, 2000 (File No. 1-8649).
3.
The
descriptions of its Common Stock and Preferred Share Purchase Rights contained in its Registration Statements filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such descriptions (File No. 1-8649).
All
documents subsequently filed by Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be part of this Registration Statement from the date of filing of those documents. The information contained in a document will automatically update and
supersede any information previously incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.
Item 4.  Description of Securities.
The Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
The opinion of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered, which is Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement, is rendered by J.
Lawrence McIntyre, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel to Registrant.
This
Registration Statement incorporates the consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedules of Registrant as of October 31, 1999 and for each of
the years in the three-year period ended October 31, 1999. Registrant relies on the reports and expertise of KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants, in incorporating
these financial statements.
Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware empowers a corporation incorporated under the statute to indemnify its directors,
officers, employees and agents and its former directors, officers, employees and agents and those who serve in such capacities with another enterprise
II-1
at the corporation's request against expenses (including attorneys' fees), as well as judgments, fines and settlements, actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding in which they or any of them were or are made parties or are threatened to be made parties by reason of their serving or having served in such capacity. The power to indemnify exists only
where such officer, director, employee or agent has acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, in the case of a
criminal action, where such person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Unless a court determines to the contrary, a corporation has no power of indemnification in an action or
suit by or in the right of the corporation, where such person has been adjudged liable to the corporation. Indemnification against expenses is mandatory to the extent a claim, issue or matter has been
successfully defended. Indemnification and advancement of expenses are not deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of
stockholders or otherwise. A Delaware corporation also has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person it has the power to indemnify, whether or not indemnity against
liability would be allowed under the statute.
Section 2
of Article XI of the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation mandates indemnification of a director or officer of Registrant or a person serving at the
request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law against expenses, liability and loss and
authorizes the Board to express such rights in written contracts.
Section 1
of Article XI of the Registrant's Certificate of the Incorporation provides, in accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, for the elimination or limitation of the personal liability of a director to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director under certain
circumstances.
The
Registrant also maintains liability insurance policies which provide for indemnification of a director or officer of Registrant or a person serving at the request of the
Registrant as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity against certain liabilities under certain circumstances.
Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8.  Exhibits.
The exhibits are listed in the exhibit index.
Item 9.  Undertakings.
1.
Rule 415
offering.
The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i)
To
include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)
To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement;
II-2
(iii)
To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
provided,
however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained
in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
(2) That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(b)
Filings
incorporating subsequent Securities Exchange Act of 1934 documents by reference.
The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant
to section 13(a) or
section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(h) Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
SIGNATURES
The Registrant.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bloomington, State of Minnesota on the 23rd day of May, 2000.
THE TORO COMPANY
(Registrant)
By:
/s/
J. LAWRENCE MCINTYRE
J. Lawrence McIntyre,
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS
, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and
appoints Kendrick B. Melrose, Stephen P. Wolfe and J. Lawrence McIntyre, or any one of them, each with power to act without the other, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and/or all subsequent amendments to this registration
statement, and to file the same, or cause to be filed the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person,
hereby approving and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/
KENDRICK B. MELROSE
Kendrick B. Melrose
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
May 23, 2000
/s/
STEPHEN P. WOLFE
Stephen P. Wolfe
Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
May 23, 2000
/s/
RANDY B. JAMES
Randy B. James
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
May 23, 2000
II-4
/s/
RONALD O. BAUKOL
Ronald O. Baukol
Director
May 23, 2000
Robert C. Buhrmaster
Director
/s/
WINSLOW H. BUXTON
Winslow H. Buxton
Director
May 23, 2000
/s/
JANET K. COOPER
Janet K. Cooper
Director
May 23, 2000
/s/
KATHERINE J. HARLESS
Katherine J. Harless
Director
May 23, 2000
/s/
ROBERT H. NASSAU
Robert H. Nassau
Director
May 23, 2000
/s/
DALE R. OLSETH
Dale R. Olseth
Director
May 23, 2000
/s/
CHRISTOPHER A. TWOMEY
Christopher A. Twomey
Director
May 23, 2000
Gregg W. Steinhafel
Director
/s/
EDWIN H. WINGATE
Edwin H. Wingate
Director
May 23, 2000
II-5
EXHIBIT LIST
Exhibit
Number
Description
4
Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures
4
(a)
Specimen form of Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c) to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 2-94417)
4
(b)
Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 33-16125)
4
(c)
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation dated December 9, 1986 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 30, 1987, Commission File
No. 1-8649)
4
(d)
Certificate of Designation to Certificate of Incorporation dated May 28, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (c)(1) to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 27, 1998, Commission File No. 1-8649)
4
(e)
Bylaws of Registrant, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) and 4(d) to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 1999)
4
(f)
Rights Agreement dated as of May 20, 1998, between the Registrant and Norwest Bank Minnesota National Association, relating to rights to purchase Series B Junior Participating Voting Preferred Stock (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (c)(1) to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 27, 1998, Commission File No. 1-8649).
4
(g)
Indenture dated as of January 31, 1997 between Registrant and First National Trust Association, as Trustee, relating to Registrant's 7.125% Notes due June 15, 2007 and its 7.80% Debentures due June 15, 2027 (incorporated
by reference Exhibit 4(a) to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K for June 24, 1997, Commission File No. 1-8649).
5
Opinion of counsel regarding legality.
23
(a)
Consent of KPMG LLP.
23
(b)
Consent of counsel (contained in Exhibit 5).
24
Powers of Attorney (contained in signature pages).
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PART I
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT LIST