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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/342809
O U T D O O R P O W E R E Q U I P M E N T JULY 2014 9 INDUSTRY NEWS ARI Network Services, Inc. has officially opened a new 25,000 square-foot-plus facility in Duluth, Minn. The company invested more than $500,000 in the building over the course of the five-month renovation, modernizing the facility, and creating an innovative workspace designed to meet the expanding needs of ARI as it continues to innovate its suite of data-driven software tools and marketing services. "This opening is a major milestone for us, demonstrating our commitment to creating a long-term presence in Duluth and paving the way for our future product development plans," said Roy W. Olivier, ARI CEO and president. "We're proud to be in Duluth, and our success in this community is credited in great part to our team of highly skilled, dedicated, Duluth-based employees." Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., ARI currently staffs approximately 125 employees at its Duluth location in positions ranging from software research, design and development to sales, customer service and technical support. Future staffing needs were taken into consideration in the building's project plan to accommodate the company's aggressive growth plan. "The Duluth business community is so grateful that ARI, a well-established and global business, chose to expand into Duluth, keep vital jobs in our community, and invest in our downtown with the revitalization of an older and under-utilized building," said Kirsten Bowman, the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce director of events and retention. "They are a great example of economic expansion at work." ARI marks opening of new facility Outdoor Equipment Distributors, Inc., a Raleigh, N.C.-based wholesale distributor of outdoor power equipment, including Echo, recently announced that the second annual "Carving for the Cure" raised more than $5,200 for the local Susan G. Komen Northwest North Carolina chapter. This money will provide 52 free mammograms for women who may not have been able to afford them otherwise. The event took place May 1-3, 2014, at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax, N.C. Fourteen carvers from around the country created pieces of art from blocks of wood, using chain saws and hand tools. Thousands of spectators watched the carvers sculpt, and more than 1,700 voted for their favorite sponsorship carving. Joe Armstrong of Carolina Carvings in Summerville, S.C., took home top honors with his lighthouse sculpture. Awards were also given to carvers based on the dollar amounts their carvings earned through sculpture sales during the event and at the live auction on May 3. Ron Knight of Bearman Chainsaw Art in Concord, N.C., won an Echo CS-590 TimberWolf chain saw for being the top money earner. Second place went to Aaron Booker of Bookersbears in Albertville, Ala. A tie for third went to Chap Nelson of Chaptacular Chainsaw Art in Gray, Ga., and Corey Lancaster of Boon Hill Gallery in Princeton, N.C. Tim Klock of Chainsaw Carvings by Tim in Altoona, Pa., took fifth place. All winners took home an Echo chain saw. Echo Outdoor Power Equipment; Joe's Tractor Sales in Thomasville, N.C.; and the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market were the primary sponsors of the event. Second annual "Carving for the Cure" raises funds for worthy cause