Southland Engine Company Inc., Lafayette, La., received Ariens Company’s 2012 Chairman’s Award for highest sales volume (all products) and multiple sales category awards. Pictured from left are Dan Ariens, president and CEO, Ariens Company; Lynn Pesson Jr., president, Southland Engine; Glenda Pesson, vice president, Southland Engine; Peter Ariens, president, Stens Corporation; and Jeff Hebbard, president – Ariens Wholegoods, Ariens Company.Ariens Company, manufacturer of Ariens and Gravely outdoor power equipment, announced Nov. 7 that it presented its 2012 dealer and supplier awards during its Annual Dealer Summit Sept. 27-29 in Savannah, Ga.
With 300 of the top Ariens and Gravely dealers from North America in attendance, the Ariens Company recognized its top dealers for top sales volume, highest sales growth by region, and exemplifying Ariens Management Principles. In addition, Ariens Company recognized its top suppliers.
The top dealers by sales volume were as follows:
Chairman’s Award (highest volume – all products): Southland Engine Company Inc., Lafayette, La.
President’s Award (highest growth – all products): Revell Hardware of Byram, Jackson, Miss.
Lawn and Garden Product Sales: Southland Engine Company Inc., Lafayette, La.
Parts Sales: Jack’s Small Engine, Jarrettsville, Md.
Commercial Ride-on Product Sales: Southland Engine Company Inc., Lafayette, La.
Consumer Ride-on Product Sales: Southland Engine Company Inc., Lafayette, La.
Chore Product Sales: Marshall Equipment Company, Lyndhurst, Ohio
Attachments and Accessories Sales: MN Equipment Solutions, Inc., Ham Lake, Minn.
Fleet Sales: Landscape Supply, Woodway, Texas
New Dealer (highest volume among new dealers): Bill’s Tractor, San Antonio, Texas
Sophomore Dealer (highest volume among sophomore dealers): Amick’s Superstore, Asheboro, N.C.
“Our North American sales continue to grow due to the hard work of these high-volume dealers and their employees,” said John Horn, vice president of sales for Ariens Company. “These dealers represent the best of independent power equipment retailers, and we appreciate their commitment to the Ariens and Gravely brands as much as we appreciate their business partnership.”
The following six North American dealers were presented awards for sales growth by region.
North Central Region: Esch-Economy Inc., Oak Creek, Wis.
Northeast Region: YC Power & Associates, Salem, N.H.
South Region: K&S Outdoor Power Inc., Orange, Texas
Southeast Region: Nichols Equipment Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.
West Region: Robertson Implement Company, South Sioux City, Neb.
Canada Region: Equipments Pontbriand Inc., Granby, Quebec
“This is a significant award because it recognizes a commitment to growing the Ariens and Gravely brands,” said Horn. “Most impressive is that these dealers have a growth mind-set regardless of the state of the economy.”
Three Principle Awards are given annually to dealers who exemplify the Ariens Management Principles: 1) dedication to people, 2) dedication to process, and 3) dedication to overall company culture. The 2012 Principle Award winners are as follows:
Principle Award for People: Rankin Sales and Service, Ogallala, Neb.
Principle Award for Process: Halloran Power Equipment, Palatine, Ill.
Principle Award for Culture: Garnett’s Lawn Equipment, Hartselle, Ala.
“It’s important to recognize dealers who are putting the right management practices in place for growth,” said Dan Ariens, president and CEO, Ariens Company. “When we have dealer partners who manage their business based on core guiding principles for continuous improvement, we know the retail sales often will often follow.”
The following 10 companies (listed in alphabetical order) were selected among more than 500 as Ariens Company’s top suppliers for meeting defined objectives that include quality rating, on-time delivery, technical support and other related metrics.
Bahcall Rubber Company
Endries International, Inc.
Kohler Company
McNeilus Steel, Inc.
Menasha Corporation
Metals USA
Ogura Industrial Corp.
Subaru Industrial Power Products
Warner Electric
Weimer Bearing & Transmission, Inc.
“The ability of an equipment manufacturer to deliver on-time, quality product is only as good as its supply chain,” said Bob Bradford, senior vice president of operations for Ariens Company. “These companies worked consistently throughout the year to meet our needs as true business partners.”