A digital rendering of Ariens’ future 45,000-square-foot Design and Development Center.Photo: Ariens
Lawn and snow-control equipment manufacturer Ariens announced this week it will invest about $9 million to expand product-development work at its Brillion, Wisconsin headquarters. The 45,000-square-foot “Design and Development Center” will be built in three phases, with completion expected in the fall of 2018.
According to a news release from Ariens, the new facility will contain an engineering and technical center, an industrial design studio, a model shop and prototyping lab, as well as a state-of-the-art validation and testing center.
“New products have been the lifeblood of our growth strategy, especially in the last several years,” said Dan Ariens, chairman and chief executive officer. “Customers have embraced our recent product introductions and we are responding with an expansion that will allow us to bring new products and new technology to market even faster.”
The new building will serve as the hub for testing new snow throwers and mowing equipment for both consumer and professional use. Those products are marketed under the Ariens, Gravely and Sno-Tek brands.
“The new center will allow for 24/7 test capabilities, as well as off-season product testing, a significant enhancement for the testing of seasonal equipment,” Ariens said. “The ability to perform more frequent system and sub-system testing, and new product validation, along with improved work flow, will also contribute to improved products and faster speed to market.”
