A Beatrice, Neb. manufacturer will be under new leadership following an announcement that Hardy Shao is stepping down from his position as president of Worldlawn Power Equipment.

Shao, who has been with the company for 12 years, said he was leaving his position to focus on family. He added that he will still be involved in the daily operations at Worldlawn related to sales and marketing.

“The company was my baby so I’m emotionally attached to the company and really want the company to succeed,” he said. “I’m emotionally attached to all the employees here, too.”

Shao said Yu Wang will take over as president of the company and is in the process of relocating to Nebraska.

Worldlawn relocated from a location in the Gage County Industrial Park to a larger building on Highway 77 in 2017. The 274,000-square-foot facility was essentially unused for 6 years before Worldlawn purchased the building. Shao said the company currently has around 60 employees.

Worldlawn Power Equipment was established in California in 2004 and has been in Beatrice since 2011, when the company purchased Encore Manufacturing. The company manufactures outdoor power equipment, including professional and commercial lawnmowers, residential lawnmowers and snow throwers. The company sells products under both the Worldlawn and Encore brand names, with each brand having its own unique products.