March 2 -- He managed a company through several acquisitions,
hundreds of product launches and more than one economic downturn.
But if there was one thing that Michael S. Ariens got excited
about, it was something like this winter's East Coast blizzards.
"Those who knew my father, knew he loved nothing more than
a great big snowstorm, especially in Boston," said Dan Ariens, chairman
and chief executive of Ariens Co., a Brillion manufacturer of snow throwers and
other outdoor power equipment.
Michael Ariens, chairman emeritus of the company his grandfather
founded in 1933, died at home Saturday. He was 83.
Michael Ariens, grandson of Henry Ariens, celebrated his 55th
anniversary with the company last November. He was company president from 1969
to 1992 and was chairman from 1992 until 2014.
"Mike leaves us with a legacy of his personal leadership
style, a strength of character that people who worked with him want to emulate.
As a leader, he was thoughtful and insightful with a great sense of
humor," Dan Ariens said.
Under Ariens' leadership, the company experienced significant
growth and many changes. One of the most successful and lasting product
introductions was the Sno-Thro machine in 1960.
In 1982, he led the acquisition of the Gravely product line.
Also in the early 1980s, he represented the outdoor power equipment industry
before the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the development of new safety
standards.
It was significant that he kept Ariens Co. independent during a
time when similar-size companies were being acquired by larger competitors,
said Fred Stratton Jr., retired chairman and CEO of Briggs & Stratton Co.
in Wauwatosa.
Stratton and his wife, Ann, spent many hours with Ariens and his
wife, Mimi.
"Whenever we had an opportunity, we would hang out with
them because they were a lot of fun and very nice people. Mike was a true
gentleman," Stratton said.
Ariens spent part of each day thanking employees at their
workstations for their years of commitment to the company. He continued that
ritual through his last day on the job in late 2014.
"From my point of view, it's a requirement. You take the
lives of a lot of people, we invite them into work, and they work every day.
... The least we can do is thank them for the commitment made to the
company," he was quoted as saying in 2013.
He was very approachable, said Fred Moreaux, who worked with
Ariens for more than 37 years and now is Ariens Co. director of product
compliance and liability.
"His office door was always open. Any time you had an idea,
concern or just needed advice, he was more than willing to take the time out of
his busy schedule to talk with you," Moreaux said.
Ariens was one of the longest-serving board members of the
Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, where he held various leadership positions
over his career, including chairman. He also served on the boards of many
businesses and civic and philanthropic organizations.
A graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Indiana
University, he served in the Army Corps of Engineers. Before joining Ariens
Co., he worked for the chairman of Cummins Engines.
On his 40th anniversary with Ariens Co., he was quoted as
saying, "A career of 40 years doesn't pass with either a continuous flow
of success or a series of failures, but rather is a variable travel of luck,
vision, pain, hope and sacrifice. ... I've had a great trip."
Rick Barrett www.jsonline.com
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