AriensCo has announced the purchase of Thomas Equipment from A-L Parts Inc.

The company says this development allows them to offer a new four-season product line under the Gravely brand to serve the rental and construction markets.

Thomas Equipment has been a manufacturer of outdoor equipment for 79 years based in Beechwood, New Brunswick, Canada. Started in 1943 by the Thomas Brothers as an agricultural repair business, they expanded into manufacturing equipment for agricultural purposes, namely potato harvesting and handling. In 1969, the company introduced the world’s first hydrostatic drive skid-loader. Thomas Equipment was purchased by A-L Parts Inc. in 2013.  

AriensCo say they are partnering with Al Downy and Leon Butterfield, owners of A-L Parts Inc. to launch the production of the Gravely branded Mini Skid Steer line in their Canadian facility. 

“We think this is a perfect extension of our Gravely product line,” said Dan Ariens, chairman and CEO of AriensCo. “This multi-tool piece of equipment is great for hardscape work with accessories like a tree auger, stump grinder, pallet forks, etc. It’s a big tool but is small and compact so it can fit through a gate and can be hauled on a trailer with other mowers. We think it will be a great offering for commercial landscapers.”   

AriensCo is providing management support for the increase in production. They say five Gravely branded Mini-Skid Loaders (3 diesel and 2 petrol powered models) are planned for the autumn.