The growth of Iowa-based Sukup Manufacturing Co. has always been tied to farmers and the land, and ever-increasing crop yields over the past couple of decades have fueled rising demand for grain handling and storage products. That need — and the imperative for innovation — has driven the growth of the family-owned company that’s now […]

James Gruening is the co-founder and senior vice president of Mechdyne Corp., a virtual reality and technology company. Based in Marshalltown, Mechdyne was founded in 1996 by Gruening, Chris Clover and Kurt Hoffmeister, who had all recently graduated from Iowa State University. Mechdyne’s very first project focused on creating a virtual reality firefighting simulator for […]

Weld, executive director of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, has been a driving force behind developing a successful and thriving science, technology, engineering and math program in Iowa.  Through his leadership and guidance, STEM has emerged from the depths of obscurity in Iowa to play a prominent role in Iowa’s education system and advancing talent […]

Manufacturers ranging from recreational vehicle makers to distilleries and injection-mold companies — as well as companies outside the manufacturing industry — rapidly shifted their organizations’ talents toward producing critically needed personal protective equipment for front-line health care workers in their communities across Iowa.  Among the largest manufacturers that jumped into making PPE items was Deere […]

The East Polk Innovation Collaborative, Facebook and other local partners have established the East Polk County Relief Fund for local COVID-19 relief, supported by an initial $350,000 contribution by Facebook, the company announced this week. The fund will designate $250,000 for small business support and $100,000 for nonprofit and individual assistance. Small businesses and nonprofits […]

Nebullam Inc., an indoor farming company located in the Iowa State University Research Park, launched a new farm food delivery service to connect Central Iowa residents with locally grown produce. Founded in 2017, Nebullam primarily served local grocers and restaurants through Central Iowa, but lost more than 70% of its customer base once COVID-19 prompted […]