Ariens boasts a rich heritage deeply rooted in the crafting of rotary snow throwers and garden tractors, a legacy that took its initial breath in 1933 through the innovative endeavors of its visionary founder, Henry Ariens. The tale unfolds in the quaint town of Brillion, Wisconsin, USA, where Henry, alongside his sons and grandchildren, dedicated 79 years of unwavering commitment to the evolution of their business—a journey that weathered the storm of the Great Depression.
Despite the challenging times, the indomitable spirit of these four inventors—Henry, Steve, Leon, and Francis—remained unbroken. Fueled by a reservoir of ideas, they persevered and gradually transformed their visions into tangible realities. The genesis of Ariens can be traced back to the invention of the rotary cultivator, a pioneering move at a time when other manufacturers were experimenting with imported cultivators.
The turning point arrived in 1960 when Ariens unveiled their groundbreaking creation—the Sno-Thro rotary snow blower. From the inception of the design to full-scale production, a mere eight months elapsed. The product's success was nothing short of spectacular. By the 1970s, Ariens was churning out over 100 thousand snowplows annually. Fast forward to 2005, marking a significant milestone as the company celebrated the sale of its 2 millionth snow blower.
A decade later, Ariens underwent a remarkable transformation, transcending its role as a market pioneer to emerge as a leader, venturing into a novel domain—gardening. The Ariens brand, once a humble garage-based operation, burgeoned into a multinational corporation with manufacturing facilities spread across various corners of the globe.
The saga of Ariens is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. From the humble origins in Brillion, Wisconsin, the brand has etched its mark on the landscape of rotary snow throwers and garden tractors, leaving an indelible imprint on the industry it helped shape and redefine.