During a 55-year career at Ariens Company, Michael Ariens served as the outdoor power equipment company's president and chairman of the board, and led the acquisition of the Gravely® brand in 1982.

Michael S. Ariens, 83, a longtime leader of the Ariens Company and grandson of the company's founder, Henry Ariens, died at his home in Brillion, Wis., Saturday, Feb. 28, succumbing to cancer. As condolences pour in, he is being lauded for his integrity, humility and ethical treatment of those he came into contact with throughout his life.

Ariens was born August 16, 1931 in Oshkosh, Wis., the second son of Mando "Steve" Ariens and Kathryn "Sally" Green Ariens. He received a B.S. in Business and Engineering Administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from Indiana University after serving two years with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Reportedly wary of joining the family business that was started in 1933 when Henry Ariens and his three sons, Steve, Leon and Francis, developed the first American-made rotary tiller, Michael Ariens went to work for the Cummins Engine Company. The reason for his hesitation was witnessing the loss, due to the Depression, of the previous family business Brillion Iron Works but when his father requested his help in 1959, he honored the request. At the time, Ariens Company had revenue of just beyond $1 million in sales.

Michael Ariens served as company president from 1969-1992 and as chairman of the board from 1992-2014. At the time of his death, he was chairman emeritus. His tenure included hundreds of product launches and several acquisitions. Anticipating the potential growth of the commercial grounds care sector, Ariens led the 1982 procurement of the Gravely® brand.

Among many other accomplishments, he was one of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute's longest-serving board members, and at various times was the organization's chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer.

"We mourn the passing of an industry leader and good friend to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute with the recent loss of Michael S. Ariens," states Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. "We send well wishes to the Ariens family today. We will remember Michael fondly."

Ariens is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mimi; children Michael II, Daniel, Margaret Denten, Kathryn Martell, Peter, Mary Dellanina, Christopher, and Andrew; and 23 grandchildren.

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