Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/481024
6 APRIL 2015 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com EPG Media & Specialty Information 3300 Fernbrook Lane N, Suite 200 Plymouth, MN 55447 OPE Staff Group Publisher David Voll Associate Publisher John Kmitta Editor Steve Noe Art Director Brian Snook Senior Production Manager Karen Kalinyak DirEct Mail liSt SalES MeritDirect, Jim Scova, (914) 368-1012; e-mail jscova@MeritDirect.com rEPrint SErvicE Joanne Juda, Sr. VP Market Development (630) 399-9864; email jjuda@specialtyim.com EDitOrial aDviSOry BOarD Former Executive Director, EETC (retired) Jim Roche Senior Advisor, Servantage Dixie Sales Jim Starmer President, Plano Power Equipment Glen Whitt Director of Sales and Marketing, Central Power Distributors, Inc. John D. Hedges circulatiOn For subscription inquiries and customer service questions, please call (847) 763-9565 or fax (847) 763-9569 business hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST Publisher's Notice: We assume no responsibility for the valid- ity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Outdoor Power Equipment. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by Outdoor Power Equipment or EPG Media & Specialty Information, or preference over similar products not mentioned. EDitOrial OfficES EPG Media/Specialty Information Media 3300 Fernbrook Lane N, Suite 200 Plymouth, MN 55447 accOunt rEPrESEntativES: EaSt Chris Pelikan Senior Account Manager Phone: (954) 964-8676 cpelikan@epgmediallc.com MiDWESt Peggy Tupper Senior Account Manager Phone: (763) 383-4429 ptupper@epgmediallc.com WESt Leslie Palmer Senior Account Manager Phone: (248) 731-7596 lpalmer@specialtyim.com As we were putting the finishing touches on this edition of Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE), I received some sad news from the Ariens Company in Brillion, Wis., regarding the passing of Michael S. Ariens, who was one of the outdoor power equipment industry's finest leaders over the past five-plus decades. I'd like to share with you the following, slightly modi- fied, news release that was issued by the Ariens Company about this remarkable man's life. Ariens Company Chairman Emeritus Michael (Mike) S. Ariens, grandson of com- pany founder, Henry Ariens, and a leader in the power equipment industry for 55 years, passed away at his home on February 28. He was 83. Mike served as the president of Ariens Company 1969-1992 and as chairman of the board 1992-2014. In November 2014, he celebrated his 55th anniversary with the company among family and several hundred Ariens Company employees. "Mike leaves us with a legacy of his personal leadership style, a strength of char- acter that people who work with him want to emulate," said Dan Ariens, chairman & CEO, Ariens Company. "As a leader, he was thoughtful and insightful with a great sense of humor. As a businessperson, he was point- edly committed to the company's purpose: to care for our customers like they are part of the family." Under Mike's direction, Ariens Company experienced significant growth, according to Dan. Mike managed the business through several acquisitions, hundreds of product launches, maturing market shifts, and the always unpredictable weather. One of the most successful and enduring product intro- ductions under his direction was that of the Ariens Sno-Thro. "Those who knew my father, knew he loved nothing more than a great big snow storm, especially in Boston," said Dan. In 1982, Mike led the acquisition of the Gravely brand when the product line revolved around two- and four-wheeled tractor products. The move set the stage for entering an emerging commercial grounds care sector that ultimately led to the growth of the Gravely professional brand. "As a leader, one of his most endearing qualities was the one-on-one relationship he had with each member of Ariens Company," said Dan. "Many remember his personal visits on the day of their company work anniver- sary. Through his entire career, Mike spent part of each day thanking employees at their workstations for their years of commitment to the company. He continued this ritual through his last day on the job in late 2014." Mike was extremely active in the outdoor power equipment industry. As one of the longest-serving board members on the board of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), he held various leadership positions over his career, including chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer. He also chaired a number of committees and task forces for the organization. "We mourn the passing of an industry leader and good friend to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute with the recent loss of Michael S. Ariens," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. "The Ariens family has been a long supporter of OPEI, with three generations of Ariens leaders serving on the OPE industry loses true leader upfront Editor Steve noe | snoe@specialtyim.com Michael S. Ariens