Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast

Craig Shafer’s path to becoming chief operating officer of Stellar Industries began before the position was ever discussed. While working with CEO David Zrostlik to address several people-related challenges, Craig demonstrated an ability to understand both the business and the human dynamics behind it. Dave recognized that Craig was the right person to serve as his number two. Rather than uproot h...

Sukup Manufacturing is proving that innovation can thrive in rural Iowa. In this episode of Made In Iowa, Leisa Fox sits down with Emily Schmitt, chief administrative officer, general counsel and third-generation member of the Sukup family, to talk about the company’s history, culture and vision for the future. From robotics and automation to child care, health care, engineering and software, Suku...

Manufacturing is now the most-hacked industry, and the risks extend far beyond office computers. Leisa Fox talks with Sheldon Speers, president and founder of Tenax Solutions, about protecting operational technology, or OT, including the systems and equipment that keep production lines running. With 61 percent of attacks involving a third party such as a vendor, supplier or service provider, manuf...

In this panel discussion, recorded live from the QCBJ Manufacturing Conference, Leisa Fox is joined by Christine Caves of Grow Quad Cities, George Brancato of FANUC and Faisal Mehrban of Motoniq to explore what automation really looks like inside today’s manufacturing operations. The conversation moves beyond robots replacing people to examine workforce pressures, productivity, process variability...

Leisa Fox sits down with Wendy Mihm-Herold of iJAG to talk about how the organization is connecting Iowa students with businesses, careers and real-world experiences while helping employers build the workforce of the future. Wendy shares examples of students learning about skilled trades and leadership, putting their skills to work alongside employers like MidAmerican and participating in iJAG’s C...

Debby Hudson with Meals from the Heartland joins the Made in Iowa Podcast to share how the organization turns volunteer power into millions of meals for people in Iowa and around the world. Much of its work mirrors manufacturing: teams of 10 volunteers, carefully selected ingredients, efficient packaging lines, quality standards and distribution partnerships—including Convoy of Hope. These meals a...

As Iowa manufacturers confront evolving economic dynamics and technological growth, a successful future relies on adaptation in all aspects of the organization. A focus on reinvention and being proactive across workforce, automation and succession strategies are key to keeping pace with the industry. After the Business Record’s annual Manufacturing Forecast event, we asked our panelists to stick a...

Universal Printing is a rare success story in American manufacturing—a third-generation family business that has continued to evolve rather than rely on past success. Brian and Sarah Springer shared how thoughtful decision-making, a willingness to challenge long-held assumptions, and a commitment to continuous improvement have helped the company remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry. T...

Percival Scientific’s story is one of legacy, evolution and continued excellence. Gary Wheelock led the Perry-based company for nearly 50 years, building a remarkable foundation and establishing Percival as a trusted manufacturer of environmental growth chambers used in research, science and agriculture around the world. His legacy is deeply woven into the company, and today Percival is continuing...

Before automation, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling was facing serious challenges in its warehouse operations. Dan McNutt, Senior Director of Warehouse Operations, shares how repetitive-motion injuries, employee burnout, picking errors and a staggering 120% turnover rate were affecting both the workforce and the customer experience. The company knew it needed more than an incremental fix. After studyin...

At LDJ Manufacturing, culture isn't a slogan—it's a competitive advantage. President Ben Cox and Brad Jungling share how the company's commitment to promoting from within has created leaders who understand every level of the operation. Rather than simply filling positions, the team invests in people, cross-training employees so they can step into multiple roles while also building redundancy into...

Iowa’s workforce has changed dramatically in just a few years, and few people have had a closer view of that transformation than Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. In this episode, Leisa talks with Beth about Iowa’s competitive workforce landscape, the lasting impact of COVID on how, where and why people work, and the speed with which Iowa had to respond to challenges...

On this episode of the Made in Iowa Podcast, presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and recorded in the Iowa Everywhere Studio, host Leisa Fox sits down with Jerry Rosenberger of Kreg Tool to explore one of the most ambitious product expansions in the company's history. Known for helping generations of woodworkers build with confidence, Kreg has made a bold move into the power tool marke...

On this episode of the Made in Iowa Podcast, Above + Beyond Cancer program director Mary Van Heukelom shares the incredible mission behind an organization that is transforming the cancer journey for survivors and their families. What began with a bold vision has grown into a movement focused on survivorship, wellness, connection, and hope. Through outdoor adventures, wellness programs, and a power...

Leisa Fox recently interviewed Jason Greer with Peel Business Design about the growing role AI is playing in operational efficiency and business optimization. Through the Peel Signal Theory software platform, Greer explained how AI is dramatically accelerating constraint analysis, efficiency identification, and process optimization — helping organizations uncover bottlenecks and opportunities much...

John Kempen, Plant Manager at Hormel Foods’s Osceola Foods facility, brings serious scale to the conversation—over 135 million pounds of product shipped each year. And yes, they make bacon—arguably one of the greatest food inventions of all time. But in a twist that surprises just about everyone, Hormel still sells more Spam than bacon globally. John walks through the complexity behind that volume...

Amy Starlin of Paul Mueller Company offers a compelling look inside a highly specialized manufacturer that has built its reputation on precision, customization, and long-term customer partnerships. Serving industries like food, beverage, and pharmaceuticals, the company doesn’t just fabricate stainless steel equipment—it engineers solutions that are critical to its customers’ operations. Amy empha...

Nathan Grismore of Altec pulls back the curtain on a manufacturing operation built around reliability, not just in its products, but in how its people operate every day. Supporting critical industries like electric utilities, telecom, and tree care, Altec’s equipment keeps essential services running. Nathan emphasizes that this level of performance starts on the inside—by equipping employees with...

Leisa Fox sits down with Ken McCullum and Alex McCarty for a conversation centered on one of Iowa’s most impactful sporting and philanthropic events — the Principal Charity Classic. As the tournament celebrates its 20th anniversary, Ken and Alex reflect on how the event has evolved into far more than a golf tournament. With more than $10 million raised last year alone for youth-serving organizatio...

In this episode of the Made in Iowa Podcast, Leisa Fox sits down with John Rapp, President and CEO of Auto-Jet, for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to navigate the highs and lows of manufacturing. As a seasoned entrepreneur who has weathered economic shifts, supply chain disruptions, and changing market conditions, Rapp emphasizes that strong relationsh...

Mike Espeset of Story Construction joined the podcast to discuss how strong culture, trusted relationships, and long-term thinking continue to drive one of Iowa’s most respected construction firms. The conversation explored the realities of leadership in construction today, from workforce development and succession planning to maintaining quality and accountability while continuing to grow. Mike s...

This episode of Made in Iowa dives into one of the most fascinating intersections in business today: skilled trades, technology, and human resilience. Leisa Fox sits down with Riana LeJeune, who never expected her path would lead from the police academy to becoming an award-winning upholstery innovator, apprenticeship advocate, and technology founder. After an injury forced a major life pivot at a...

On this episode of the Made in Iowa Podcast, a Des Moines Business Record product presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield from the Iowa Everywhere Studio, Patrick Klemm and Ryan McIntosh share how ALMACO’s deep roots in agriculture have evolved into a forward-looking, globally respected manufacturing operation. Grounded in legacy but driven by innovation, they discuss how the company cont...

Jim Hall built Systems Management & Balancing (SMB) into a quiet powerhouse in a niche most people never think about - but rely on every day. What started in 1967 as a small Des Moines operation grew into a multi-state firm focused on testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) HVAC systems to ensure buildings actually perform the way they were designed. Jim shares the bet he made when he acquired the...

On this episode, Ellen Hines, Director of Workplace Experience, and Justin Woods, Chief Manufacturing Officer at ALMACO, share a candid look into the company’s evolving safety journey. In an environment where no two projects are the same, ALMACO has made a deliberate decision to embed safety into every layer of its operations. They discuss how variability in manufacturing demands a proactive minds...