It's been a busy fall for AriensCo, which revealed several new products at Equip Expo and announced leadership changes, including its outgoing president and chief operating officer, Larry Weyers.
Weyers announced his retirement and succession plan which is planned for June 30, 2024.
“We are grateful for Larry’s short time with us,” says Dan Ariens, chairman and CEO. “I wish we had another ten years together.
"Larry has left a legacy in three ways," he continues. "First, he elevated the Dealer Advisory Council in a way that made us listen to our customers better than before. Second, he built the Ariens Operating System into a robust business planning and operating system making our company more disciplined and focused on our five-year business strategy. Lastly, our manufacturing operations are building higher quality, with advanced automation, and we have the newest plant in Tennessee now up and running. That’s a terrific legacy for any leader.”
Larry joined AriensCo in 2017 with 30 years’ experience in the durable goods industry“It has been an honor to work with Dan and be part of the tremendous growth and culture which is AriensCo,” Weyers says. “The early decisions and pure grit of Henry Ariens established the roots of the Ariensbrand which was then fostered by Mando and Dan’s father Michael for three generations. The decisions they made ensured that the company would be here for 90 years. It has been the pinnacle of my career to have been able to work side by side with Dan and via our friendship and mutual trust to have been able to set the strategic direction and implement the changes and investments to ensure that the AriensCo brand will be a market leader for another 90 years."
To help with the transition in leadership, Weyers will stay on as an executive consultant for the AriensCo Executive Leadership, Americas Leadership, and EMEAA (Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia) Leadership teams. Weyers is being replaced by AriensCo Americas Executive Vice President Nicholas Ariens.
MORE LEADERSHIP CHANGES. Anoop Prakash is now executive vice president for AriensCo’s Americas Region. Prakash joins the AriensCo Team, replacing Nicholas Ariens.
Prakash comes to AriensCo with more than 20-years-experience in a variety of roles. Most recently he served as President of REV Group’s Ambulance Division in Milwaukee.
“Anoop is a terrific leader and brings tremendous experience and skills to our business,” Dan Ariens says. “He is a terrific fit with the AriensCo Culture, our Core Values and our vision statement of Passionate People … Astounded Customers. He is skilled in developing customer relationships in many different channels, while building a strong team of passionate people. He comfortably travels to customers both domestically and on many continents building business with his strong leadership acumen."
NEW PRODUCTS AT EQUIP EXPO. Of course, AriensCo was also active in Louisville this week. Gravely’s new AXIS 100 series of gasoline-powered compact utility loaders launched this week, giving a low-barrier-of-entry opportunity to landscape contractors and lawn maintenance professionals.
The AXIS 100GT and AXIS 100GW, which represent track and wheel-drive models, feature many of the same unique-to-market features as their diesel-powered counterparts.
“In years of drought or reduced business, the Gravely AXIS 100 gives more professionals a cost-friendly solution to expand their range of services,” says AriensCo Director of Commercial Product Grant Wilson. “With a universal attachment mounting plate that supports interchangeable attachments, the AXIS 100 is a Swiss Army Knife. It scoops, lifts and transports supplies and material, digs, trenches, and opens multiple new revenue streams without adding labor.”
Though the 23.5-horsepower Kohler Command PRO CH730 engine is a clear difference from the AXIS 200 series, favorites from the diesel-powered lineup are carried into the AXIS 100. That includes a self-leveling boom/bucket, universal attachment plate, adjustable hydraulics to supply power where needed, track and wheel options, two auxiliary hydraulic ports to drive motor- and cylinder-driven attachments, and a common controls layout. To learn more about the AXIS 100 series, click here.
The company also debuted its remote-control, high-slope brush mower, the OVIS. The new Gravely OVIS uses a 40-inch-wide flail mower to clear vegetation on steep or inaccessible terrain where traditional lawn mower operation is either impossible or unsafe.
Though new to the American market, this proven product is currently built by AriensCo’s AS-Motor brand in Germany and distributed across Europe.
“Adding OVIS to the Gravely lineup fills a gap in the U.S. market to support work adjacent to traditional jobsites on difficult landscapes, such as those in hilly and mountainous regions,” Wilson says. “We’re giving landscapers a product to knock down large brush on steep highway viaducts, clear unkempt hiking trails and embankments, and mow in less-accessible areas like solar farms. It also allows that work to be done more safely and with greater ease.”
Scaling challenging terrain with the OVIS is possible through remote-controlled operation, a very low center of gravity, and a track-drive system. With no in-cockpit operator, OVIS can safely climb slopes up to 50 degrees, and it has a control range of up to 1000 feet without “frequency confusion” when operating as part of a fleet with other machines. The machine’s low stature reduces the possibility for tipping and allows it to operate in low clearances.
Additionally, a 23-horsepower Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine supplies ample power for OVIS’ flail-head mower to chew through saplings up to 1.5 inches in diameter.
The company also celebrated its 90th anniversary with an APEX Limited Edition zero-turn mower.
“We wanted to design a machine to honor our past, etch our present and chart our future,” says AriensCo Residential Product Director Andy Massignan. “The vision and execution of this machine is unique. Every single detail mattered to the point of obsession. The result is a one-of-a-kind mower ready to impress the next generations of property owners.”
It features a unique paint scheme and graphics, plus features like aggressive rear tires, rubber floor mat, lighting kits, USB port with phone storage, and the Ariens cutting system.
ON THE ROAD. AriensCo embarked on a nationwide Road Show this month and will travel to cities across the U.S. throughout October and November. The company is hosting events at marquee hotels in major cities and inviting outdoor power equipment dealers, landscapers and news media to join.
The AriensCo Road Show will make stops in Brillion, Wisconsin, Park City, Utah, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Ohio, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Atlanta, Orlando, Gulf Shores, Alabama, Dallas, and a soon-to-be-announced location in the Northeast (full dates below). The events will feature new product demonstrations, the launch of a new parts brand and an opportunity for industry stakeholders to meet with the team. Remaining dates on the tour include Chapel Hill (Oct. 24), Atlanta (Oct. 27), Orlando (Oct. 30), Gulf Shores (Nov. 2) and Grapevine (Nov. 6).
