Innovation

We are in a time where eco-friendly products and services have become increasingly popular throughout society. One of the fastest-growing industries at the moment is electric vehicles (EV) and has led to reducing carbon emissions by helping to eliminate the need for combustion engines. Combustion engines are what power most cars, equipment, and anything else that needs the power to operate. AriensCo has recently come out with electric lawnmowers under their Gravely subsidiary. These all-electric mowers not only reduce carbon emissions but are advertised by Gravely as a superior replacement to conventional mowers due to less maintenance and noise. These mowers were more than likely designed and created due to the increase in electric vehicles, popularized by Tesla, and the change in values among consumers to want more eco-friendly options. The increased awareness of Climate Change has led to more informed customers, which in turn has started to hold companies responsible for their effects on the environment. This innovation will benefit society by helping to sway people into purchasing electric lawnmowers instead of gas, which will help to reduce the carbon footprint of the United States or other countries.

With more and more people considering the use of electric motors the Gravely electric mowers will satisfy that need in an all-new category. Not only will these mowers help to reduce the number of harmful gasses being produced but they will also prove to be a viable competitor to gas mowers. Gravely has said that these mowers will require less mechanical maintenance compared to their gas counterparts. Not only will maintenance be less of a headache but also the reduction of noise produced from the mowers. Conventional gas mowers are known to be almost deafening when using them, sometimes needing headphones and earmuffs to protect against possible hearing damage. The all-electric mowers will be noticeably quieter, which will lessen the likelihood of hearing damage and minimize noise pollution all throughout the globe.

This innovation is considered to be aligned with a number of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first goal would be number 12, “Responsible Consumption and Production.” This would align with this goal due to the focus on getting away from using combustion engines that are non-renewable and heading towards electric, which has the potential of being sourced fully renewable in the future. The other goal is number 13 which is the climate action goal set by the UN. The focus on electric vehicles will again reduce carbon emissions which will help in the fight against climate change.

Inspiration

AriensCo is an equipment company that wants to go into the green industry with their all outdoor machines. They are soon going to move all of their products over to electric. The all-electric lawn mower will have the same features to where they can change the batteries out just as you do with other electric power tools. This makes it to where the customers can have more than one battery and interchange them when they need to. With them switching everything over to electric this will help with the noise ordinance and make it easier for the costumes to start earlier in the day.

Overall impact

AriensCo has received a great response from consumers in regards to the innovation of their Gravely electric zero-turn mower. Ramirez stated, “The risk and investment were a challenge, but what we are seeing so far from the customers has been very positive.” Ramirez explained that the goal is to move all of their product families to electric power. Many commercial and residential landscapers, which represent a large portion of AriensCo’s business, are seeing the benefits of buying electric mowers because of the increase in productivity. Not only are these companies appealing to their customers by using green energy, but they now have the opportunity to start tasks sooner with electricity than they otherwise would with gas-powered. In return, employees are getting home to their families earlier each day, thus increasing the morale in their companies.

The product is not only seeing tremendous acceptance in the United States but also in much of Europe and Scandinavia. AriensCo is starting to put its global footprint on the world. With the years of collaboration amongst their engineers, marketing teams, and sales professionals to deliver a high-quality product, it is no secret why AriensCo is having success in the electric equipment market. With the future redesign of other products, such as their world-renowned snow blowers, AriensCo will create a lasting impact on the green industry for years to come.

Business benefit

AriensCo is an outdoors machine company that has been around since 1933 when the company first introduced its rotary tiller. Since their opening, they have gathered new brands that are sold across the globe. These brands include Gravely, RapidCare, Countax, and Westwood. AriensCo is one of the only companies that offers an electric mower. AriensCo wants to reduce carbon commission and also reduce the noise of the machine. This helps global warming and would allow more companies to work earlier in the mornings with noise reduction. This company provides the world with machines that make outdoor work more efficient and enjoyable. AriensCo not only wants to give people efficient working machines, but they also want to support the community in any way they can. The creation of the Gravely electric zero-turn mower shows that AriensCo wants to help the world by minimizing oil and gas and turning it into renewable energy that will help the globe. AriensCo wants to continue making electric machines and wants to make all of their machines to be electric in the future. Clients of AriensCo want the company to continue making electric machines because they save money from buying extracurricular parts of machines that are gas and oil-dependent.

AreinsCo has made partnerships with Brillion High School and Brillion Elementary school to build STEM education centers. These STEM centers allow students to explore topics and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. AriensCo also has its own foundation “The Aries Foundation” that provides financial assistance to the young generation who show commitment to their education. This foundation also provides financial support to local schools that support STEM education opportunities. AriensCo gave back to the community in 2016 that included $909,435 in Ariens and Gravely equipment. Cash was given by AriensCo to partners in community safety, charitable institutions, and other worthy organizations in 2016. In addition to high school and college scholarships, AriensCo gave support to charities like World Vision, an organization that serves those who suffer from economic hardship, natural disasters, malnutrition, and more. In 2015, AriensCo gave back to the community a total of $388,000 in Ariens and Gravely equipment.

Social and environmental benefit

In 2016, AriensCo gave their partners in the community a total of $909,435 in Ariens and Gravely equipment value as well as cash. There are not many companies out there doing such kind acts in today’s society. AriensCo awards scholarships to high school and college students as well. The scholarships are designed to cover academic expenses and some are specified for academic camps over the summer. Besides giving out high school and college scholarships, they managed to award charities such as World Vision, which is an organization that helps people who suffered from natural disasters, economic hardship, malnutrition, and more. With $16,550 going towards scholarships and $95,781 going towards just donating to high schools and universities, this company is completely non-profit and is all about wellness. The donations to high schools and universities are for enhancing education in a real-world experience, and getting them motivated to use the skills and assets they have, and applying that into the world of work. AriensCo has spent about $81,450 in equipment donations in the community. They donate Ariens and Gravely outdoor power equipment to community groups, non-profit organizations, and to people who deserve it.

AriensCo is a very environmentally friendly company. This company is all being eco-friendly meaning doing everything they can to keep the environment safe. Not only is AriensCo an eco-friendly company, there are benefits that also come along with this company. No matter the circumstances, AriensCo remains focused on its goals of keeping the environment safe, continuing to make a difference in education in the communities where we live, and giving back to the community as much as possible.

Interview

Dave Ramirez, Regional Sales Manager