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M A N U F A C T U R I N G A L L S T A R S 2 0 2 1 5 S P O N S O R P A I D P R O F I L E earning a welding certification prepared me for the journey of becoming a skilled welder and being a part of Fincantieri ACE Marine. What has been the most fulfilling experience you have had at your company? It would have to be completing modules and seeing them get extracted out of the shop onto the barge and hauled away. Why would you encourage someone to enter the manufacturing field? Growing up in Chicago, I didn't know places like this existed. So, to actually experience it and see my growth from the kid I was back home to the man I've grown to become is inspirational, to not only me but other youths growing up in the environment I grew up in. ARIENS COMPANY Brillion O n any given week at Ariens Company, at least one employee will be celebrating a milestone anniversary of 25, 30, 40 or even 50 years with the company. Many have had numerous different positions over their career. "Because we are a family-owned company, we can make day-to-day decisions that are focused on our long-term growth," says Dan Ariens, company chairman and CEO. For employees starting their careers, Ariens Company offers on-the-job learning opportunities including apprenticeships, job shadowing and internships in safety, Lean manufacturing and manufacturing leadership. Many employees who began working in direct manufacturing positions move to other departments within the company. Ariens Company has been building outdoor power equipment used by homeowners and professionals for more than 80 years. The company sells a variety of products including snow blowers, lawn mowers, professional zero-turn mowers and chore products like power brushes, edgers and even utility vehicles. Those products start out as raw steel delivered to two facilities in Brillion. Employees take the steel through many processes including stamping, laser-cutting, welding, painting, assembly and testing before they ship out as finished product. "There are many opportunities for people who like the idea of creating something tangible out of nothing," Ariens says. "The one thing that all manufacturing employees have in common is that they like to solve problems." When problems do come up, five "Company Core Values" set the tone for decision- making: Be Honest, Be Fair, Keep Our Commitments, Respect the Individual and Encourage Intellectual Curiosity. The company has been growing through acquisition, expanded product lines and investment in new technology. Employees who join the Ariens team have the unique opportunity to impact the business in a fast- paced, high-energy environment. ariens.com Ariens | facebook.com/Ariens Gravely | facebook.com/Gravely Ariens | youtube.com/AriensChannel Gravely | youtube.com/GravelyChannel Ariens | twitter.com/Ariens Gravely | twitter.com/gravelymowers Dan Ariens | twitter.com/Dariens58 Ariens | instagram.com/arienscompany# Gravely | instagram.com/gravelymower# For more information about Ariens Company check out the following: to change? There are perceptions that there is limited room for growth in a manufacturing job. GNC believes in helping all employees with personal growth and a shared future within the company. They work hard at investing in their employees, and I feel there are opportunities for growth within my current career path. Did you have a mentor? How did your mentor impact your career? I was fortunate enough to have my father as my mentor. Starting while I was still in high school, I was given the opportunity to assist him on large-scale projects as a mechanical drafter. While in college, and shortly after completing my bachelor's degree, I was able to join the Laminations engineering team, working side-by-side with my father. After working at Laminations for three years, I have been given the opportunity to mentor an engineering student. It has been a real neat experience. Why would you encourage someone to enter the manufacturing field? It is a growing field with great job security, especially for engineers. Many companies are investing in machinery that is safer, more productive and easier to operate. There are always improvements to be made to products and processes, and engineers are responsible for creating, implementing and supporting these processes into the future.