AriensCo announced leadership changes in preparation for the retirement of Larry Weyers in June 2024.
Nicholas Ariens has been named president and chief operating officer, a title Weyers has held since 2017.
Weyers’ succession plan has been in the works for several years and involved mentoring and working directly with Nichols Ariens, who was executive vice president of the Americas Region since Jan. 15, 2022. Anoop Prakash has been named executive vice president for AriensCo’s Americas Region.
Weyers will continue to play an active role at AriensCo as an executive consultant to the AriensCo Executive Leadership, Americas Leadership and EMEAA Leadership teams.
“I am excited to see Nicholas and our fifth generation taking a leadership position as president and COO of AriensCo,” said AriensCo Chairman and CEO Dan Ariens. “Julie and I have five children, each in their own way involved in our family business. Continuing to work together as a family is important to us.”
The transition time allows Weyers and Nicholas Ariens to focus on strategic planning globally.
Nicholas Ariens said, “I am excited to take the role and lead the company to continued growth globally, but Larry leaves large shoes to fill and it’s difficult to replace such a strong and dynamic leader. He has left a tremendous mark that will live on in our storied history – and for that I am eternally grateful.
Nicholas Ariens has held various AriensCo leadership positions over the past 12 years including product management, sales and marketing, director of supply chain and logistics and vice president of RapidCare. Prior to joining AriensCo he spent several years with General Mills in the commodity purchasing group.
He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Babson College and an MBA from the Copenhagen Business School.
“In our community of Brillion, our family business is a stabilizing anchor,” said Dan Ariens. “Successfully growing with a long-term vision to remain an important American manufacturing company is our most important goal. As we find ourselves in 2023 celebrating 90 years, and 130 Years in the Brillion community, I find it rewarding and am proud that we continue our family business legacy.”
Prakash comes to AriensCo with more than 20 years of experience in a variety of roles. Most recently he served as president of REV Group’s Ambulance Division in Milwaukee.
Prior to REV Group, Prakash spent 10 years at Harley-Davidson as director of U.S. retail development and U.S. marketing and market department, and as managing director of Harley-Davidson Canada and Harley-Davidson India.
He held a variety of roles in industry and government prior to Harley-Davidson, including serving as a senior appointee in the George W. Bush Administration. Prakash is a former captain in the United States Marine Corps where he served on active duty for four years. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School and bachelor of arts degrees in economics and public policy from Stanford University.
“I am excited to join the AriensCo family and continue to build upon its rich history,” shared Prakash. “Ariens and Gravely products are world-class and a reflection of the dedicated employees and a culture of excellence. I look forward to partnering with AriensCo dealers and suppliers to innovate and grow in every segment.”
Prakash will lead all facets of AriensCo’s business in the region including Sales & Marketing, Product Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, RapidCare, Human Resources and Finance. The Americas Region produces AriensCo’s Ariens Sno-Thro snow throwers; Ariens lawn and garden equipment; and Gravely commercial equipment brands.
Prior to joining AriensCo, Weyers spent 18 years with The Manitowoc Company in roles of increasing responsibility in operations management, engineering, and sales and marketing. He had most recently served as president and executive vice president of the Manitowoc Crane Division. Earlier in his career, Weyers held engineering positions with Kubota Tractor Corporation and sales and marketing roles with Woods Equipment.
Dan Ariens said, “Larry has left a legacy in three ways. First, he elevated the Dealer Advisory Council in a way that made us listen to our customers better than before. Second, he built the Ariens Operating System into a robust business planning and operating system making our company more disciplined and focused on our five-year business strategy. Lastly, our manufacturing operations are building higher quality, with advanced automation, and we have the newest plant in Tennessee now up and running. That’s a terrific legacy for any leader.”
