Ariens Company was founded in the city of Brillion, located in Northeast Wisconsin, and continues to operate manufacturing facilities in that community today. Ariens supports local area communities through annual grants awarded by the Ariens Company Foundation.

In 2006, after an on-going partnership with the Brillion High School, the Foundation funded the construction of a $1.5 million Technology and Engineering Education Center for students.

The project was the culmination of a three-year plan to completely revamp the technology education department to create a contemporary curriculum. Enrollment in the curriculum has tripled over the past two years. Currently, over 200 of the total 330 Brillion High School students are enrolled in the program. The updated “shop” curriculum now reflects current manufacturing technology trends.

"It’s about updated technology but it is also about students participating in projects that allow them to learn innovative thinking and problem solving," says Steve Meyer, BHS Technology Education Instructor.

The 10,000 square ft. center includes a 50-student lecture facility, a large four-plex processing lab (for wood, metal, plastics and composites), and a state-of-the art design room with computers, CNC machines, electronics and robotics equipment. The renovation will also allow students to work on larger, more complex activities and to work on integrated projects with other disciplines such as mathematics and science.

"The Center is already becoming a model for technology education in the state and around the country,” says BHS Principal Paul Nistler. “We have inquiries from many educators at all levels of education who will be visiting the new facility over the school year."