Ariel Corporation

Ariel Corporation is an American manufacturer of high-speed reciprocating gas compressors, headquartered in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Founded in 1966 by Jim Buchwald, the company has grown into what it describes as the leading manufacturer of reciprocating gas compressors in the global energy industry. Its compressors are used to extract, process, transport, store, and distribute industrial gases across a wide range of applications, including upstream, midstream, downstream, compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen, and carbon dioxide (CO2). Since its founding, Ariel reports that more than 70,000 of its compressors have been deployed worldwide, operating in over 100 countries through a network of more than 700 distributor locations. The company remains family-owned and has been for more than 50 years. It emphasizes American manufacturing, with production based in the United States, and positions itself around engineering quality, durability, and long-term customer support. Ariel's product philosophy centers on designing compressors that maximize operational longevity and match available drivers with maximum efficiency and value. The company maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification, having followed ISO guidelines since 1995, and operates a quality management system that governs engineering design, material specifications, and manufacturing processes. Its stated vision is to set the world standard in gas compression, addressing emerging global energy and environmental challenges "from wellhead to burner." Beyond manufacturing, Ariel supports its installed base through genuine replacement parts, 24/7 service and support, technical and educational resources, and a global distributor network. The company also engages in corporate outreach to develop skills for the compression industry and partners with organizations such as the National Association of Manufacturers, the Gas Machinery Research Council, GPA Midstream Association, and the Gas Compressor Association. In recent years, Ariel has introduced the Ariel Smart Compressor, marketed as a new standard in complete compressor protection, reflecting its continued investment in monitoring and digital capabilities.

Ariel Corporation was founded in 1966 by Jim Buchwald. From its base in Mount Vernon, Ohio, the company grew into a specialist manufacturer of high-speed reciprocating gas compressors, a category of equipment used throughout the natural gas and industrial gas supply chain. Over the following decades, Ariel expanded its product line and its global reach, building a distribution and service network that today spans more than 700 locations and serves customers in over 100 countries. The company reports that since 1966 more than 70,000 Ariel compressors have been deployed to extract, process, transport, store, and distribute industrial gases. Its compressors are used in upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas operations as well as in newer applications such as compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen, and carbon dioxide (CO2) handling. This breadth reflects the company's stated mission to apply its compression expertise wherever natural gas is found and to capture market share in every viable compression market. Ariel has remained a family-owned business for more than 50 years, a point the company highlights alongside its American manufacturing base. It has invested in quality systems since the mid-1990s, following ISO guidelines since 1995 and maintaining ISO 9001:2015 certification. The company's quality policy emphasizes designing products that can be manufactured, installed, and serviced with ease, matching available drivers, and delivering maximum efficiency and value. In recent years, Ariel has continued to innovate with offerings such as the Ariel Smart Compressor, described as a new standard in complete compressor protection. The company also maintains a strong aftermarket business through genuine Ariel parts, 24/7 service and support, and technical and educational resources. Its corporate outreach efforts aim to develop skills for the compression industry, and it partners with industry organizations including the National Association of Manufacturers, the Gas Machinery Research Council, GPA Midstream Association, and the Gas Compressor Association. In 2026, Ariel marks its 60th anniversary, a milestone it has tied to its identity as a proudly American manufacturer.

• 2026

  Ariel marks its 60th anniversary.

• 1995

  Ariel begins following ISO guidelines for quality management.

• 1966

  Ariel Corporation founded by Jim Buchwald.

Ariel positions itself as the world standard in gas compression, emphasizing American manufacturing, engineering quality, durability, and comprehensive customer support across the global energy industry.

• High-speed reciprocating gas compressors

  Ariel's core product line, used to extract, process, transport, store, and distribute industrial gases across upstream, midstream, downstream, CNG, RNG, hydrogen, and CO2 applications.

• Ariel Smart Compressor

  Marketed as a new standard in complete compressor protection, reflecting Ariel's investment in monitoring and digital capabilities.

• Genuine Ariel Parts

  Replacement parts for Ariel compressors, supported by a fair and generous warranty policy and rapid delivery.

1. 1Energy | Natural Gas Compressor | High Speed Reciprocating Compressor - arielcorp.comarielcorp.com
2. 2About Arielarielcorp.com
3. 3Mission Statementarielcorp.com
4. 4ISO Certificationarielcorp.com
5. 5Ariel Corporationwikidata.org