Ariens Co. Expands Relationship with ARI

Oct. 16, 2006
ARI, a provider of technology-enabled business solutions that help equipment dealers build sales and profits, last week announced that Ariens Co., of Brillion, Wis., has further extended its relationship with ARI by licensing EMPARTpublisher and EMPART XML Publisher

ARI, a provider of technology-enabled business solutions that help equipment dealers build sales and profits, last week announced that Ariens Co., of Brillion, Wis., has further extended its relationship with ARI by licensing EMPARTpublisher and EMPART XML Publisher, ARI’s catalog-authoring tools. Prior to the new agreement, Ariens had deployed ARI’s EMPARTweb and PartSmart, electronic parts catalogs, for use by its dealers and distributors throughout the United States.

Under the new, three-year exclusive agreement, Ariens will continue to publish quarterly updates to PartSmart and on-demand updates to EMPARTweb. In addition, Ariens has licensed EMPARTpublisher to allow them to take over management and publishing of their data for viewing in PartSmart and EMPARTweb. Ariens also licensed ARI’s EMPART XML Publisher to create on-demand parts publications in the Adobe Acrobat format for printing, electronic distribution or online display.

“We have been working with ARI for more than 10 years and during that time, ARI has developed a solid track record with us, helping us to successfully provide our dealers and distributors with access to the most up-to-date parts and pricing information,” said Dan Ariens, president of Ariens Co. “When we decided we wanted to have more control of the publishing process, we conducted a thorough review of all of the options available in the market. We concluded that ARI offered the best solutions and chose to extend and expand our relationship with ARI.”

“The addition of EMPARTpublisher and EMPART Publisher XML will allow Ariens to provide up-to-date information to their dealers and distributors more frequently and accurately, and allow them to proactively manage their parts catalogs, ensuring that their dealers and distributors will have the latest and best information available,” said Brian Dearing, chairman and CEO of ARI.

Established in 1933 in Brillion, Wis., Ariens Co. manufactures outdoor power equipment for both consumer and commercial use. The company’s premium brands include Ariens Sno-Thro machines and Ariens zero-turn mowers for consumers and Gravely commercial lawn equipment for professional landscape contractors. Ariens’ affiliate, Stens Corp., supplies replacement parts to the outdoor power equipment industry.