All Stars

M A N U F A C T U R I N G A L L S T A R S 2 0 1 8 5 S P O N S O R P A I D P R O F I L E our compression testing & ECT testing. Our team can create full color mock-ups and samples using a high-speed cutting table. What is your role within your company or your department? I work with co-workers at other facilities on a regular basis to help with training and technology. I'm the lead person at my facility. I help implement new workflows and train multiple departments after implementation. What has been the most fulfilling experience you have had at your company? It's always exciting to see my work on store shelves. I still remember the first carton I designed that went into production. Do you have or have you had a mentor? How did your mentor impact your career? I'd say I have several mentors. I work for a corporation that has multiple locations with over 60 designers. I can bounce ideas off my peers, which is a great resource to have available. ARIENS COMPANY Brillion ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST (Operations Research Scientist) Avg. salary range: $52,500 to $65,500 Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development DESIGNER 1 (Mechanical Drafters) Avg. salary range: $41,100 to $48,700 Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development 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. collaborate on different projects with people from different departments. Some examples would include working with Quality Assurance to assist with an issue impacting production, working with Marketing to develop new formulations to compete within a competitive market, and working with Sales Managers to provide insight on alternative configurations for our customers. Do you believe that your job is an exciting and engaging profession? Yes, because every day is different from the next—I never know what challenges I will need to overcome. Also, my job has changed three times in the past three years. This has helped me stay engaged and continually learn new things to make every day exciting. 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:

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