Behind the Scenes of Iowa’s $30 Billion Manufacturing Industry

When Leisa Fox left the Association of Business and Industry after 11 years, she realized she missed one thing more than anything else: the opportunity to walk into incredible Iowa companies and hear the stories behind their success. 

“There are thousands of manufacturers in Iowa doing remarkable things, but most people have no idea they exist,” she said. “The Made in Iowa podcast gave me a way to continue those conversations while helping others discover what’s happening behind the doors of these facilities. It’s not just about products or processes. It’s about people, the leaders, innovators, problem-solvers and employees who are building things that impact lives around the world.”

Although Fox’s guests represent some of the most innovative makers in the industry, the blood, sweat, and tears that fill each chapter of their story are relatable to anyone.

In other words, you don’t need to have a vast knowledge of manufacturing in order to understand and appreciate the people, products and power driving each episode. 

Iowa Makers: An Economic Powerhouse

Around 97% of Iowa’s manufacturing employers are considered small-to-medium sized enterprises, comprising a huge slice of the $30 billion in revenue that the industry adds to the state’s GDP.

And for its 222,000 skilled workers, manufacturing careers also offer a lucrative monetary advantage; annual wages average around $74,000.

According to Iowa Workforce Development, that figure easily outpaces the statewide averages for all other industries. But it represents something else, too.

“People still picture manufacturing as dirty, repetitive work in dark factories. That image is decades out of date,” she said. “Today’s manufacturing facilities are some of the most technologically advanced workplaces you’ll find. They’re filled with robotics, automation, precision engineering, software and highly skilled professionals solving complex problems every day. These companies need programmers, engineers, marketers, HR professionals, welders, machinists, technicians; you name it.”

You Don’t Win the Manufacturing Race by Being the Cheapest

Since the 1960s, America’s manufacturing industry has felt the intense heat of globalization. The revival of Japanese and European manufacturers initiated a fierce competition and also signaled the end of our post World War II dominance in steel, automotive, and textiles. 

“American manufacturers compete in a global marketplace where labor costs, regulations and supply chains are very different from country to country. That creates enormous pressure,” said Fox. “But the companies I visit aren’t trying to win by being the cheapest. They’re competing on quality, innovation, customer service, speed and trust. They build products that last, solve problems quickly and become true partners with their customers.”

A Global Impact Rooted in Iowa

That innovation is also deeply entwined in a sense of humility. 

“Iowa manufacturers don’t spend much time talking about how remarkable they are; they simply get to work,” said Fox. “Some of the most innovative companies in the country are located in communities that many people drive through without realizing the global impact being made inside those buildings.”

Which is exactly why she believes the Made in Iowa Podcast matters. 

“Every story we tell helps people better understand manufacturing, appreciate the careers it offers and recognize the role these companies play in Iowa’s future,” she said. “If a student chooses a career in manufacturing because they heard one of these conversations, or a company decides to invest in Iowa because they better understand the strength of our manufacturing community, then we’ve accomplished something meaningful. Manufacturing has always been a cornerstone of Iowa’s economy, and advocating for it is critical to our state’s future.”

New episodes of the Made in Iowa podcast drop weekly every Thursday. Check it out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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