CONTACT: Ann Stilp at (920) 475-1880 astilp@ariens.

com

news release
_______________________________________
Ariens Donates New Sno-Thro to Retired FDNY Chief Richard Picciotto
New Model Replaces his Classic Machine
Brillion, Wis. (February 2012) Ariens Company donated a new Professional 28 Sno-Thro model to retired FDNY Chief Richard Picciotto. Battalion Comander Picciotto was the highestranking firefighter to survive the World Trade Center collapse and the last fireman to escape the devastation. He is also author of the book, Last Man Down: A Firefighters Story of Survival and Escape from the World Trade Center. When I heard Chief Picciotto speak at an Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) meeting this past year it was truly inspiring, says Jeff Hebbard, President Ariens Wholegoods. Although he considers his actions on that eventful day as normal and dutiful his story still causes me to stop and think.

When Hebbard had a chance to meet Picciotto at the meeting, he learned the Chief owned an older model Sno-Thro. I knew the employees of Ariens would want him to have a new model, said Hebbard. Chief Picciotto represents the best America has to offer and he deserves the best snowthrower on the market.

Established in 1933 in Brillion, Wis., Ariens Company is a leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment for both consumer and professional use. The companys premium international brands include Ariens Sno-Thro and Ariens lawn and garden products for consumers; Countax and Westwood lawn tractors; and Gravely and Parker commercial equipment for the landscape management, facilities maintenance and sports field sectors. Ariens affiliates, Stens Corporation, J Thomas and Ariens Pty Ltd. (Australia), supply replacement parts to the outdoor power equipment industry. Ariens Company employs more than 1,400 people, with operations in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Indiana, Alabama, Michigan, the United Kingdom, Norway and Australia. Visit www.ariens.com for more information.

###