Kohler Co. Adding 300 Jobs in Southeastern Wisconsin

May 29 -- Kohler Co. will add more than 300 jobs in southeastern Wisconsin over the next three years, the company announced Wednesday morning.

The job creation is a result of an expansion of the Kohler-based company’s global power business. Kohler is a privately held company whose products include mobile and standby generators.

The company will add an extension to its production facility in the town of Mosel in Sheboygan County. The jobs will be added at company locations in Mosel and the villages of Saukville and Kohler, the company said.

“This investment reflects our commitment to provide homeowners and businesses with superior product and rapid delivery,” said Herb Kohler, chairman and CEO of Kohler Co.

Since 2011, the demand for standby power has surged with more than 5,000 power outages and more than 50 million homes and businesses affected in North America alone, Kohler Co. said.

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Ariens Company To Acquire OPE Distributor Sovde of Rygge, Norway

BRILLION, WI – November 18 -- Ariens Co. said Wednesday it reached an agreement to acquire Norwegian power equipment distributor Sovde of Rygge, Norway.

Terms of the deal were not announced.

Sovde will continue to operate as a distributor between Ariens and independent power equipment dealers in Norway, the company said.

"While it is not part of our long-term strategy to acquire distributorships, the decision was based on a 40-year relationship with the Sovde family who grew the Ariens Sno-Thro brand to become the largest-selling snow thrower brand in Norway," said Dan Ariens, president and CEO.

Ariens also recently acquired British tractor company Countax.

Ariens Co., headquartered in Brillion, is a manufacturer of outdoor power equipment for consumer and professional use.