Gravely Tour Reaches More than 900 Landscape Contractors?EUR??,,????'??+Nine Workshop Locations Planned for 2005

Brillion, WI?EUR??,,????'??+ About 900 landscape contractors attended the Gravely on Tour program offered at nine locations around the United States and Canada from January through March of 2004. With those participation numbers, Ariens Company plans to continue the program in 2005. The one-day workshops aim to improve profitability of business owners in the landscape contract business. Industry consultant Kevin Kehoe presented information to help participants set the right price for services, increase profit margin, find and retain the right customers, pay themselves the right amount of money, and motivate and pay employees. ?EUR??,,????'??The ability to set aside time to evaluate your business model gives you a strategic advantage in any type of business,?EUR??,,????'?? notes Dan Ariens, company president. ?EUR??,,????'??In one day, this workshop helps contractors refocus their efforts on the things that can have the biggest impact on their success.?EUR??,,????'?? All participants in the 2004 sessions were eligible for a chance to win a Gravely 34Z. Dean Jackson of Eagle Landscaping, LLC, in Monroe, La., was the recipient of this year?EUR??,,????'???s drawing. He participated in the Bossier City, La., workshop hosted by Charlie & Bonnie Williamson of Bossier Power. In 2005, Ariens Company will hold Gravely on Tour workshops in Missouri; Louisiana; Texas; Tennessee; Virginia; Florida; Michigan; Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Specific locations will be announced in this fall. The workshop is open to all landscape contractors free of charge. Program details are available on line at www.gravely.com. Gravely commercial products are manufactured by Ariens Company of Brillion, Wis. Ariens Company manufactures riding and walking lawn mowers, snow throwers, and trimmers under the Ariens name and commercial equipment under the Gravely brand name. Stens, a subsidiary, distributes replacement parts to the power equipment industry.