Growth Inevitable, Sukup Manufacturing Co. Expands Ames Footprint

AMES, IOWA- Sukup Manufacturing Co. is deepening its roots as the company expands its presence in Ames, Iowa at 2600 S. Loop Drive.

The world’s largest family-owned and operated manufacturer of grain storage, drying, and handling equipment is making a strategic investment to maximize the opportunities for continued growth.

“Ames provides us with an environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and recruitment opportunities,” said Emily Schmitt, Sukup CAO/General Counsel. “From innovation and research through the many Iowa State University resources, to supporting product development, assembly, and testing, we believe this growth will strengthen our connection and collaboration between Sheffield, Ames, and Des Moines.”

Pictured: Emily Schmitt, Sukup CAO, Samantha Petersburg, Strategic Partnerships, and Dave Brownmiller, Director of Engineering, in the new Pivot Bio space. They initiated the Sukup Ames office discussion in 2017.

Research Park will remain Sukup’s home base in Ames, but the address change within the park will give the company the opportunity to nearly double this location’s growth.

This location is home to the Synk^TM Hub and will serve as a central point for evolving company culture and expanding the recruitment funnel for top engineering and technology talent. This next-generation workplace will provide a modern, technology-driven environment that enhances collaboration across all Sukup entities.

“We’re excited to welcome Sukup to Pivot Bio’s Ames campus,” said Oscar Gomez-Sacasa, Pivot Bio Senior Director of Facilities and Operations. “Our facility is a state-of-the-art hub designed to support customers and foster innovation in agriculture. With ample office space available, we were thrilled to find another forward-thinking ag company to share our space. Given the complementary nature of our businesses, subleasing to Sukup was a natural fit.”

“Ames is an excellent meeting point for our Sheffield and Des Moines teams to work in a high-tech, focused space with room for additional growth,” said Hank Norem, Sukup CIO. “The innovation ecosystem at ISU Research Park connects what we have built at Ramco and Maple Studios in Des Moines. That same forward-thinking approach will now carry on in Ames to create an ag tech hub for Synk's development, product assembly and testing."

Pictured: Sukup, Synk, Ramco and Pivot Bio staff on a tour of the Pivot Bio office and shared space.

Sukup has long been known for investing in growth, innovation, and regional expansions. The company’s expansion to locations in Manly, Clear Lake, and now West Des Moines has led to increased capacity through expansions like Ramco, and a recent vertical acquisition of this winter. As these departments and product lines expanded, so did the need for new roles in engineering, IT, and HR.

Sukup’s Ames location started in 2017 with two full-time employees. Today there are 17 full-time employees, with additional staff drop-ins. And the goal is to continue the upward trajectory.

“We will continue our strong focus on recruiting top engineering and technology talent,” Emily said. “It also allows us to leverage our long-standing investments in ISU College of Engineering, including Sukup Hall, and the new Industrial Engineering building, Sukup Endzone, and Sukup Cylo in CyTown.”

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Sukup Manufacturing Co. was founded in Sheffield, Iowa in 1963. Today, there is more than 1 million square feet of office, manufacturing, and warehouse spaces, and locations in Manly, Clear Lake, and Hampton. Sukup’s new Ames location is at 2600 S Loop Drive; the company will share the second floor that is currently the site of Pivot Bio.