Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast

Pioneer marks 100 years in 2026, and one of the most important chapters in that story is being written at its Algona production facility. In this episode of Made in Iowa, host Leisa Fox talks with Algona Production Location Manager Todd Eastvold about how seed moves through the facility, and why Iowa’s farthest-north corn production site plays a distinct role in serving farmers. Eastvold takes listeners inside a highly coordinated manufacturing process built around quality, speed and traceability. The conversation explores the cameras, sensors, automation and decision tools used to monitor seed from intake through conditioning, packaging and distribution. It also examines the complexity of managing thousands of varieties, and the technical workforce required to keep the operation moving. The episode closes at a major transition point. Vylor, the newly independent seed and genetics company spun off from Corteva, is now home to the Pioneer brand. Eastvold explains what the plant means to the Algona workforce, growers and the community while the facility carries a century of Pioneer history into its next era. Presenting sponsor: ⁨‪Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield ⁠https://www.wellmark.com/Made-in-Iowa⁠

Aluma began in 1992 with a simple idea for a lightweight golf cart trailer. Today, the Bancroft company produces over 100 different aluminum trailer models for customers across North America. In this episode of Made in Iowa, host Leisa Fox talks with longtime CEO Mike Lloyd about the product decisions, people and manufacturing discipline behind that growth, and the ownership transition now shaping Aluma’s next chapter. Lloyd explains why aluminum became the company’s advantage, how Aluma continued expanding its product line, and what automation can and cannot solve in a rural manufacturing operation. He also addresses recent headwinds, including flat sales, volatile metal costs and tariffs, and the constant challenge of building and retaining a skilled workforce in northwest Iowa. The conversation turns personal as Lloyd discusses the decision he and his siblings made to sell the family business to Novae. He retained an ownership stake and plans to continue leading during the transition. It is a candid look at succession, timing and the responsibility to protect the employees, dealers, quality and community identity that made Aluma valuable in the first place. Presenting sponsor: ⁨Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://www.wellmark.com/Made-in-Iowa

Country Maid began in a farmhouse basement in West Bend and grew into a national food manufacturer whose products have helped organizations raise more than $380 million. In this episode of Made in Iowa, host Leisa Fox talks with President and CEO Darin Massner about how the maker of Butter Braid pastries scaled its reach while protecting the hand craftsmanship, faith-rooted values and people-first culture at the center of the business. Massner explains how fundraising became Country Maid’s growth engine and how the company expanded into retail, wholesale and private-label channels. He shares where automation improves consistency, food safety and capacity, and why some steps, including the signature hand braiding, remain intentionally human. The conversation also explores real-time production data, traceability, product reformulation and the challenge of preserving institutional knowledge as experienced employees retire. As a 100% employee-owned company, Country Maid measures success differently. Massner discusses what ownership looks like on the production floor, how family-friendly policies support retention, and why West Bend remains central to the company’s future. It is a story of small-town craftsmanship scaled through employee ownership and modern manufacturing. Presenting sponsor: ⁨‪ @wellmarkbcbs https://www.wellmark.com/Made-in-Iowa

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 his family from Charlotte, where they have deep roots, Craig committed to commuting to Iowa and helping lead Stellar through its next chapter. That chapter arrived during a period of sudden growth. As Stellar hired experienced leaders from larger multinational companies, the organization reached an important cultural crossroads. Could it adopt the structure needed to scale without becoming “one of the big guys” and losing its close relationships with employees and customers? Craig shares how Stellar is intentionally evolving while protecting the culture that made its success possible. The company remains anchored in a simple but powerful belief: processes don’t fix companies; people do. Presenting sponsor: ⁨Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://www.wellmark.com/Made-in-Iowa

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, Sukup has taken a unique approach to growing a global manufacturing company while keeping Sheffield, Iowa, at the center of its operation. Emily explains how Sukup competes for talent in rural Iowa, why the company invested in a child care center and on-site health clinic, and how automation has helped the company expand rather than eliminate jobs. The conversation also explores Sukup’s Sync technology, its expansion into Ames, the acquisition of Ramco, international growth and the company’s focus on building for the next generation. Plus, Emily shares the story behind the Sukup Safe T Home, a remarkable example of how an idea born from the company’s manufacturing expertise has helped provide shelter in disaster-prone areas around the world. Presenting sponsor: ⁨‪ Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://www.wellmark.com/made-in-iowa