What the heck has happened to Ariens ??? Isn't it an American company ??

I bought an MTD blower last year after researching it thoroughly to find they make just about everyones outdoor maintenance equipment only changing colour, plastics and hand controls.

The units that I would like were twice the money and some like Honda and Yamaha units four times.

The family came to the conclusion that in this now throw away society that we will just wait for a sale and save a couple of hundred bucks buying the same unit regardless of whos name decal was stuck on it.