Ariens Acquires Auburn Consolidated Industries

Brillion, Wis. (November 16, 2007) — Ariens Company has completed the acquisition of the former Auburn Consolidated Industries (ACI). The facilities in Auburn, Neb. have been renamed Ariens Company – Auburn Operations. The company plans an initial start up at the plant Monday, November 19. Full-scale employment needs will continue to be assessed over the next several months.

"The transition is going very smoothly. The EverRide and Great Dane product lines are on track to meet the timeline of the upcoming lawn and garden season without missing a step,” says Dan Ariens, company president. “I’m confident we can maintain the success of these two brands well into the future.”

New programs and pricing will be announced by mid-December, according to Ariens. The two brands will also benefit from the corporate resources of Ariens Company, including a more in-depth product development effort. The company anticipates new product announcements will be forthcoming.

Established in 1933 in Brillion, Wis., Ariens Company is a leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment for both consumer and commercial use. The company’s premium brands include Ariens Sno-Thro® and Ariens zero-turn mowers for consumers, Gravely® commercial lawn equipment for professional landscape contractors, as well as National specialty mowers and Locke® reel mowers for the golf, turf, and sports turf industries. Ariens’ affiliates, Stens Corporation and its Australian counterpart, Bynorm Group, supply replacement parts to the outdoor power equipment industry.