New York (CNN Business) A top Lowe's executive apologized Tuesday, after saying a DeWalt power drill was perfect for "Hispanic pros with smaller hands."

Lowe's LOW "This is perfect for them. Lifetime warranty on this. What else could you want?" said Joe McFarland,executive vice president of stores, in a corporate video broadcast to store employees Monday. The Washington Post first reported on the video.

McFarland apologized after employees criticized his comments online, saying they were offensive.

"I am sorry for a careless and ignorant comment I made during an associate broadcast yesterday," he said in a company-issued statement, adding that he took full responsibility and will be "spending time in the coming days and weeks with our associates, customers and business leaders to learn and grow from this moment."

JCPenney JCP Home Depot HD McFarland joined Lowe's last year from, where he oversaw that company's stores, operations and merchandise strategies. He previously worked at

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