The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) recognized Dan Ariens, president of Ariens Co., with the Eli Whitney Productivity Award for his distinguished accomplishments in improving capability within the broad concept of orderly production. SME is the world’s leading professional society serving the manufacturing industry.
“I attribute this recognition to the many Ariens employees who have embraced lean manufacturing in creating a culture of continuous improvement,” says Ariens. “In the process they have driven the company’s annual productivity gains.”
Ariens received the recognition as part of the 2007 SME’s International Honor Awards presented at the International Awards Gala on March 26 in Los Angeles.
Ariens is considered by many in the manufacturing community a model for US business leadership, according to SME. He is credited with turning his 72-year-old family business into a lean manufacturing leader. Ariens shares his lean expertise with other companies, serves on several boards, and speaks often about lean manufacturing at conferences and seminars.
“The International Awards Gala serves as an opportunity to celebrate the unique contributions of leaders of the manufacturing community,” says Brian Holmes, SME president. “These individuals have worked diligently to strengthen the manufacturing community through engineering research, technology, process improvements education or service to our industry. We commend these individuals for the exceptional work they have done, and are doing, to continually advance manufacturing worldwide.”
Visit www.ariens.com for more information.