BRILLION — September 16 -- Fall normally is the time when Ariens Co. switches production from making lawn maintenance equipment to building snow throwers.
That isn’t happening today. Instead, the outdoor power equipment maker will be manufacturing both equipment lines this fall and will need at least 100 more workers to help.
“We’ve really been on a nice run and have been enjoying this great tailwind for a while,” said Dan Ariens, company president and chief executive officer.
Ariens said his company has an immediate need for workers, especially those with powder coating, welding, machining and assembly skills.
Ariens said the 100 new workers he wants to add initially will be temporary help, but the “objective is to convert them to full-time.”
“Before we can make the commitment to full-time, because of the seasonality of our business, we have to make sure business will increase and can be sustained,” Ariens said. “So we’re adding people to help with our off-season production of commercial lawn mowers because it’s a unique growth period, which says that we’re doing something right for our customers.”
In the past year, Ariens has hired 200 workers, which the company has retained. It employs 1,335 people in Brillion today.
On Friday, Arien’s Co. dedicated its $3.8 million plant expansion and updates to its facility at 655 W. Ryan St. The work was completed in July.
The upgrades include expansion of offices and research and development facilities, as well as increased workstation capacity, a new employee “kaizen” learning center to aid in the further development of its lean manufacturing processes, a new food services area, new product development and testing labs and a revamped main entrance.
The project also included the addition of a geothermal heating and cooling system.
Ariens said his company has invested about $20 million in upgrades to its Brillion facilities over the past five years.
“It’s infrastructure and related assets, new computers, anything to help our people work smarter,” he said.
Gov. Scott Walker, who attended Friday’s dedication, said Ariens Co. is a model example for job growth during a time of national economic uncertainty.
“Developing new technology and quality products allows Ariens to hire more skilled workers,” Walker said in a statement. “That in turn helps them aggressively compete in a global economy.”
Walker said Ariens Co.’s investment shows Wisconsin is a global competitor and a national leader in manufacturing.
“Wisconsin’s greatest asset is its workforce,” he said. “By getting government (out) of the way, both at the state and federal level, we can begin to reverse the damage done by this national recession and get people back to work.”
Ariens credited his workers for his company’s wave of success and finding ways to operate leaner as the nation’s economic recovery has struggled.
“I think part of (our success) has been we have great people … passionate people, who are impressing our customers by producing new and innovative products,” he said. “It’s just gaining traction and we seem to be running on all cylinders right now.”
