Jul 28, 2024
Sukup Manufacturing Co®. is a business built on listening to the customer and it’s served the long-standing company well. The family owned and operated manufacturer has gone beyond the grain bin and deeper into the realm of innovation to meet the needs of producers around the world. The recent acquisition of value-add automation distributor Ramco Innovations is furthering that mission.
In our continuing series giving you more insight into the future of these combined companies, we are explaining how innovation has always been at the heart of both entities.
Sukup is headquartered in Sheffield, Iowa. Growing and changing over the course of 60+ years, the company has remained in the small north Iowa community since its inception. Today you can still rely on stellar customer service, strong dealer relationships, and the family owned and operated mission. When combined with all other locations, Sukup is 800+ employees strong.
“The company started as a way to provide solutions to area farmers,” says Emily Schmitt, Sukup CAO/General Counsel, and third generation family member. “From there, it’s only grown and developed to meet the ever-changing needs of producers around the world. Innovation is InGrained in Sukup.”
Since the beginning, Sukup has worked to develop trusted products that work. After all, many of the #TeamSukup are producers themselves. From engineering to project management, leadership, and all those on the manufacturing floor, each day is spent helping farmers feed and fuel the world.
Known for its grain bins, dryers, material handling, and grain handling, Sukup is also known for its innovation.
“I started as an electrical engineer in 2007. My main job was to simplify and expand the technology platform in dryer production,” says current Sukup CMO and 3rd generation family member, Matt Koch. “The first thing we did was map out how the software worked and then change and simplify the electronics on the inside. It ultimately gave us an opportunity to leverage a web-connected or networkable solution.”
That was the boost needed in dryer production. It meant improved functions and software; customers got peace of mind and quality of life.
Koch believes in powerful tech solutions.
“When you’re buying a technology product, it’s an important thing. At Sukup, we do a good job creating a solution that not only works but is dependable and reliable. We don’t want to overpromise. Let’s go beyond creating a demo...let’s show can it be awesome in real life.”
That mindset within the Sukup team brought forth solutions like QuadraTouch Pro, a mobile app, sweep systems, and bin controls.
“I think what sets us apart, we do it all in house, we don’t farm it out to a tech firm, we have the expertise in here. Not only are we maintaining it from a tech standpoint, but we are also very connected with the people using the products. We are farmers ourselves,” Koch iterates. “We don’t want this to be clunky or difficult for the end user.”
That aggressive pursuit was an attractive selling point for Ramco Innovations CEO Hank Norem. Sukup Manufacturing Co. acquired the West Des Moines-based automation company in late 2023. It led to the creation of the subsidiary Sukup Innovations and a product known as Synk™ is right around the corner.
“Together we will be bringing more capabilities to farms and other operations through automation,” Norem says. “Phase one is building a platform around bin-monitoring solutions. Future phase-ins of components will create an entire ecosystem.”
That means integrated controls and monitoring systems for operational grain management; all with a user-friendly interface.
Intelligent monitoring and real time problem solving; a viable and unique idea that will bring success to operations everywhere.
Koch knows the power in Synk.
“Some people regard technology as a negative word because it ends up frustrating people. When it is used well, it becomes a dependable and trusted portion of everyday lives. When it works in harmony with a product, that’s where the magic is. “
To read more about Synk, Sukup Innovations, and their impact on the future of farming, click here.
